Welner returns as Tiburon’s mayor with traffic focus

Tiburon Town Councilmember Jon Welner (left) was selected by colleagues to become Tiburon’s mayor for 2026 during the council’s Dec. 3 meeting, while colleague Isaac Nikfar became vice mayor. (Francisco Martinez / The Ark)

Traffic congestion, park improvements and climate action will take center stage in Tiburon this year as Councilmember Jon Welner begins his second stint as mayor, declaring in his first remarks that “this is the year” to solve the town’s traffic problems.

Welner and colleague Isaac Nikfar were elected mayor and vice mayor, respectively, in separate 4-0 votes at the council’s Dec. 3 meeting. Councilmember Jack Ryan was absent.

Welner joined the council in 2018. He was previously mayor in 2022 and once again assumes the role from Holli Thier, who completed her second turn as mayor.

Thier remains on the council, which she joined in 2017, but is also running in the June primary for state Assembly, seeking to replace San Rafael Democrat Damon Connolly. Connolly is running for state Senate as Mike McGuire, D-Healdsburg, terms out.

Councilmembers typically hold the mayoral and vice-mayoral posts on a yearly basis, rotating among each other every December. Nikfar’s election as vice mayor means he is in line to become mayor in December 2026, his first time assuming the role since joining the council in 2023.

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