Novato Business Owner Tief Gibbs Challenges Damon Connolly in Senate District 2

NOVATO, Calif. — November 3, 2026. Novato small-business owner Tief Gibbs is running as a Republican for California Senate District 2 on November 3 against Democratic Assemblymember Damon Connolly. The seat is open because incumbent Mike McGuire is termed out.

A candidate based in Novato

Gibbs brings local business experience into a contest covering Marin and six other North Coast counties. She ran for Congress in 2024. Her campaign calls for lower taxes and business costs, changes to water-storage policy and increased attention to wildfire prevention. These represent the candidate’s proposed priorities, not laws currently in effect.

Why the Novato race has regional consequences

District 2 includes Marin, Sonoma, Lake, Mendocino, Humboldt, Trinity and Del Norte counties. Housing affordability, forest management and reliable infrastructure are concerns that cross local borders. Connolly points to his work as a former Marin supervisor and current Assemblymember, particularly on insurance and environmental protection. Both candidates seek to represent the same large district, rather than a single town.

Social-media and Election Day verification

The Gibbs campaign maintains an official website. California58 has not authenticated a TikTok or other November 3 video showing Gibbs personally voting, and has not verified a polling place or time for her ballot. An online campaign appeal alone is not evidence of a personal voting appearance.

Sources: Gibbs campaign; Novato voter guide; Secretary of State candidate list.

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