Redding planning commissioner and engineer announces run for city council

Russ Wenham, a two-year Redding planning commissioner and long-time civil engineer, has announced his candidacy for Redding City Council. 

Wenham, a Redding native, has more than four decades of experience in public infrastructure and land development, according to his campaign website. His LinkedIn shows that he worked for Caltrans for over 20 years, including as a deputy district director. He also spent a portion of his career in engineering consulting. 

His top priorities are to improve budget accountability and transparency, roads and infrastructure, public safety and jobs and economic growth. 

“Redding is at a critical juncture,” he said in a press release on his website. “We have large unfunded liabilities, bet on unrealistic revenues, costs continue to rise — and government trust is low. I’m not running to be a politician. I’m running because this city deserves focused, experienced leadership that has the courage to make hard decisions and the experience to make them right.”

There are three spots on the city council up for grabs this November. Several council members’ terms are expiring, including council members Tenessa Audette, Jack Munns and Erin Resner. 

Resner will not be seeking reelection, as she’ll be leaving the city council to serve as a supervisor for Shasta County. Audette informed Shasta Scout this morning that she intends to run for reelection this year. Munns did not immediately respond to confirm if he’ll be running for reelection, as well. 

Wenham said he feels he’s a good fit for the city council because he’s spent his engineering career solving problems. He announced on his LinkedIn page that he’s retiring from his current role as a project director and senior technical manager at GHD, a global engineering consulting firm, to prepare for the November election.

“My responsibility is to create the conditions for success — not just for today, but for future generations,” he said on his website. “In the months and years to come we will make critical decisions about the riverfront, civic auditorium, Stillwater Business Park, Redding Sports Park, road repairs, park maintenance, improvements to fire stations, public safety staffing, income qualified housing, etc. I’m ready to take on the challenge.”

The general election will be held on Nov. 3. For council seats, which are nonpartisan city-wide positions, Redding voters will be given the opportunity to pick their top three candidates on ballots this fall. Shasta voters will also make decisions on other races on Nov. 3, including their top choice for Shasta’s District 5 supervisor, the North State’s congressional District 1 Representative and state governor.

---

Do you have a correction to share? Email us: editor@shastascout.org.