With less than a month to go before the June 7 Primary Election, it is time to consider some important local races in Sacramento. During my two decades on the Sacramento City Council, District 3 included neighborhoods and business districts as diverse as the Downtown Railyards, the River District, Midtown, East Sacramento, River Park, Alkali Flats, South Natomas, Gardenland/Northgate, parts of North Sacramento (Hagginwood, Ben Ali, Swanston Estates, Point West/Cal Expo/Arden Fair), Sierra Oaks, Campus Commons, and Sac State. Because of population growth and redistricting over the years, these areas are now split into five of the eight current Council districts. I also served as Chair of various regional boards governing everything from air quality, transportation, land use, and flood control to libraries, human rights, and fair housing, along with a partially overlapping tenure as SMUD in-house counsel. This experience helped me better understand the wants and needs of residents and businesses throughout Sacramento, as well as the resources required to fulfill those wants and needs. With these thoughts in mind, I am endorsing the following candidates for key local seats up for grabs in the June primary election:

Angelique Ashby for State Senate District 8 (D8)

Kevin McCarty for State Assembly D6

Jim Cooper for Sacramento County Sheriff

Lisa Kaplan for Sac City Council D1 (North Natomas, Robla)

Karina Talamantes for Sac City Council D3 (South Natomas)

Caity Maple for City Council D5 (Oak Park, South Sacramento)

Rick Jennings for City Council D7 (Land Park, Curtis Park, Pocket/Greenhaven)

Bina Lefkovitz for Sac County Board of Education

Angelique Ashby for State Senate District 8

I’ve had the good fortune of serving on the City Council with both Angelique Ashby and her primary opponent Dave Jones. Both are hard working, dedicated public servants. I am endorsing Angelique Ashby because she brings something to the table that no other candidate can do, something sorely needed at the state and federal level. Angelique brings a real-life history and understanding of our community together with the know-how and communication skills needed to translate these community needs into actionable projects, policies, and programs that bring concrete improvement to our quality of life. Whether it’s finding the resources to build quality neighborhood parks, schools, and open spaces; prioritizing public safety in terms of police, fire, flood and fire protection; helping to build a more vibrant downtown; providing the leadership to recruit and partner with companies to retain and attract good jobs and economic success to our region; or developing timely and workable solutions to homelessness. Angelique knows how to get things done in politics without forgetting for one minute where she comes from - a working class neighborhood in the heart of Sacramento - or where she’s going - improving the quality of life for all of Sacramento.

As the Sacramento Bee noted recently: “Ashby has been a trailblazing leader for the last 12 years in Sacramento, adept at attracting major economic investments, adding family-oriented amenities and fighting aggressively for her constituents. Her journey as a single mother who clawed her way out of poverty and earned degrees at UC Davis and McGeorge School of Law is nothing short of inspiring.” She would also be the first female legislator for Sacramento in two decades.

One area where I concede that Dave Jones has a stronger track record than Angelique is climate change. Nevertheless, I have seen real growth in Angelique over the years on this and other issues such as flood control in which she was not as well-versed when she first took office 12 years ago. As the climate emergency demands ever more urgent responses from all of us, I am confident that Angelique will not only continue to listen and learn, but to stand up and help enact the public policies and investments so urgently needed in rail and transit, electric cars and infrastructure, renewable energy, fire and flood protection, and affordable and sustainable housing and mixed use development, all of which will help slow the effects of global warming while we adapt to climate change.

Kevin McCarty for State Assembly District 6

While I still maintain I would have been the better choice for Assembly back in 2014, I am endorsing my opponent from that election, Kevin McCarty, for reelection in what is now Assembly District 6. The Sacramento Bee’s endorsement of McCarty quoted below is spot on:

“Kevin McCarty is a thoughtful, hardworking legislator who has been unafraid to confront some of the most controversial issues in California government. He wrote a landmark bill last year that guarantees free pre-K education for every 4-year-old in California, which Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law. McCarty has been a champion of sensible criminal justice reforms and advocated policies that address racial disparities. This year, he’s pursuing a pilot program in Yolo County and elsewhere that could change how the court system deals with people with substance abuse disorders.

“McCarty, who chairs the Assembly Budget subcommittee on education finance, has had eight successful years in the Legislature after 10 years on the Sacramento City Council. His enthusiasm and policy skills stand to benefit Sacramento residents further in the newly drawn 6th Assembly District. He deserves another term.

“His opponent, Josh Pane, is relying on decades-old experience on the Sacramento City Council and the Sacramento County Board of Education. Unfortunately, his policy views are trapped in that era. His support for repealing Propositions 57 and 47 — meant to ease crowding of prisons and jails and overwhelmingly backed by California voters — are regressive and wrong on the merits. He is the first Democratic challenger McCarty has faced during his tenure in the Assembly. While Pane is listed as a Democrat, his registration changed from Republican to no party preference before switching to Democratic. His political views remain right-leaning, and his candidacy coincides with a wave of political action by Sacramento business leaders and affluent neighborhoods that are fed up with the growing homeless population. Pane positions himself as a commonsense candidate who can clean all that up for them. McCarty appreciates the complexity of the issue, and his record in the Legislature demonstrates a willingness to be mindful of crime as homelessness has deepened. He’s advocated for safe grounds at Cal Expo and is sponsoring efforts to clear illegal campsites along the American River Parkway. California’s new 6th Assembly District encompasses much of the old 7th District in Sacramento and Yolo counties as well as added suburban areas such as Del Paso Heights, Gardenland, Natomas, Elverta, Rio Linda, Antelope, Arden Arcade and parts of Carmichael and Sierra Oaks.”Sacramento Bee, May 3, 2022. Read more at: https://www.sacbee.com/opinion/election-endorsements/article260989487.html#storylink=cpy

Jim Cooper for Sacramento County SheriffI also agree with the Sacramento Bee endorsement of Jim Cooper for Sheriff:

“Current County Sheriff Scott Jones . . . has become a right-wing ideologue. Jones used his position and platform to spout conservative talking points, pander to former President Donald Trump, fight any semblance of oversight, and participate in irresponsible superspreader events at the height of the COVID pandemic. His department has been sued repeatedly for the inhumane treatment of inmates. He locked the county’s inspector general out of his buildings when his officers’ use of lethal force was questioned. And so on. The result is a department badly in need of a reset. And of the two candidates running, Cooper is in a stronger position to bring change. The first mayor of Elk Grove, Cooper was on hand as that city took its first steps toward becoming the vibrant community it is today. Combined with his years in the state Legislature, that experience gives Cooper an edge over Barnes as someone who knows how to work outside the closed culture that Jones created within the department. He has the support of a majority of the Board of Supervisors as well as District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert. In a debate hosted by The Bee’s Editorial Board last month, the assemblyman rightly noted that the department’s downtown jail needs to be a “better neighbor.” Currently, prisoners released from county jails are turned loose in downtown Sacramento no matter where they were arrested. This has made the downtown core less safe, and Cooper said he would look at changing the policy.” Sacramento Bee, May 4, 2022. Read more at: https://www.sacbee.com/opinion/election-endorsements/article261027672.html#storylink=cpy

Lisa Kaplan for City Council, District 1 (North Natomas, Robla)

I don’t always agree with The Sacramento Bee but they nailed their endorsement of Lisa Kaplan:

“For the first time in 12 years, North Natomas will be represented by someone not named Angelique Ashby when the midterm elections conclude this fall. Sacramento’s current vice mayor and District 1 council member is running for the California Senate, vacating a seat that has long benefited from her dedication to putting families first in one of Sacramento’s most attractive middle-class destinations. . . .

“Longtime Natomas school board member and attorney Lisa Kaplan has decades of relevant experience as an elected official charged with overseeing a public budget, and demonstrated an unmistakable advantage when it comes to her mastery of the issues facing Sacramento. In a three-person race for the privilege to represent North Natomas, Kaplan is the clear choice for the job.

“Kaplan, 46, was first elected to the Natomas Unified School District Board of Trustees in 2002, and has played an integral role shaping the district into one of California’s best in terms of college readiness, and a shining example of how to treat student mental health. She was board president in 2020 when the pandemic forced schools to close indefinitely, and showed well-rounded leadership in the throes of an unparalleled crisis. On the issues, Kaplan stood out against Pelczar and realtor Alyssa Lozano during an interview with The Bee’s editorial board. Kaplan’s clarity on the local landscape of the climate crisis impressed as she noted the direct link between local land use, transit-oriented development and carbon emissions — an area where city decisionmakers can have a direct effect. Kaplan’s relationships with Sacramento County Supervisors Phil Serna and Patrick Kennedy could improve the strained relations with the region’s largest government and help bring long-sought relief on homelessness. . . . As Kaplan noted, however, homelessness does not adhere to boundaries, and if the city’s ballot measure passes, every district will have to provide additional shelter. Kaplan’s experience in public office could be instrumental in convincing North Natomas residents to embrace a larger role. . . .

“The housing construction boom in North Natomas over the past decade has led to an influx of Asian, Latino and Black families seeking the suburban lifestyle in Sacramento’s northwest corner. Building on Ashby’s legacy is important, but so is retaining an experienced public servant when Sacramento is facing a multitude of challenges. Kaplan has the resume and policy skills to provide capable leadership for not just District 1, but all of Sacramento.” Sacramento Bee, May 2, 2022. Read more at: https://www.sacbee.com/article260775267.html#storylink=cpy

Karina Talamantes for City Council, District 3 (South Natomas)

One of the bright spots of the 2022 redistricting process was reuniting all of South Natomas into one Council district. I am pleased to support Sacramento County Board of Education Trustee Karina Talamantes for my former District 3 seat on the Council.

As the daughter of immigrant farm workers, Karina witnessed firsthand the hard work and sacrifice needed to succeed in life. At a young age, Karina joined her parents working in the agriculture industry during the summers and various other jobs, including local soccer coach, before entering college and earning a B.S. degree from UC Davis.

I believe that Karina will be ready for Council on day one. She has worked to enhance the quality of life for Sacramento residents through her role as Chief of Staff to Councilmember Ashby. From Natomas residents who need help with city services, to challenges like rising homelessness, affordable housing, and keeping our neighborhoods and communities safe, Karina has an excellent track record of advocating for Natomas residents to get their fair share of resources, including helping to secure a new Kaiser Permanente medical center, a new Costco, and a new hospital to replace the Sleep Train Arena. She also led the efforts to pass a $172 million school bond, run a vaccination clinic at Natomas High School serving over 30,000 individuals, organized fun family-oriented activities such as Natomas Farmers Market, concerts, and movies in the park.

As a former educator and current Trustee of the Sacramento County Board of Education, Karina understands the importance of education and youth programming. She has also worked on policies to help close the education achievement gap through a White House Initiative and personally helped over 1000 low-income and first-generation students continue their postsecondary education as a college advisor. Throughout her career, Karina has demonstrated her commitment to fighting for the best interests of local residents through multiple partnerships with community organizations, neighborhood associations, and community forums. Recently, the Sacramento Business Journal recognized Karina with the Top 40 under 40 award. She also earned the Rising Star award from the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for her work helping her family run mobile truck and a T-shirt company.

Caity Maple for City Council, District 5 (Oak Park, South Sacramento)

I agree 100 percent with the Bee’s endorsement of Caity Maple for District 5:

“Sacramento’s 5th City Council District will look very different when the successor to retiring representative Jay Schenirer takes office. Curtis Park was notably — and controversially — removed from the district, which now spans from Oak Park to Parkway along Highway 99, where many households struggle to afford the region’s soaring cost of living. Housing security, public safety, inequality and development are top of mind for voters in this district. Oak Park, a historically Black neighborhood, has experienced an exodus of longtime residents over the last decade as first-time home buyers and Bay Area expats seek an affordable area where California’s housing shortage is causing displacement. The pandemic supercharged these forces.

“This year’s council race between city Transportation Commissioner Tamiko Heim, a state worker, and Sac SOUP (Solidarity of Unhoused People) cofounder Caity Maple has serious ramifications for constituents who need tireless leadership and measurable change. Maple is best positioned to deliver.

“The 30-year-old progressive Democrat experienced homelessness as a teen and worked multiple jobs to fund her education, advancing from community college to UC Davis, where she graduated with a psychology degree. Maple joined the Chief Clerk’s Office in the state Assembly after college before landing jobs in public policy and advocacy for California Forward, a good government organization, and Perfect Union, a cannabis company. Maple, now a consultant and homeless advocate, welcomes revitalization projects and major developments such as Aggie Square as long as the potential for displacement is addressed. An Oak Park Neighborhood Association board member, Maple was vocal about her reluctance regarding the project and joined the lawsuit that resulted in a more than $50 million community benefits agreement that will fund fair housing projects, add youth programs and establish a crucial workforce pipeline in adjacent neighborhoods.

“On housing issues, Maple wants to revive the city’s inclusionary housing requirement for all projects and lower the threshold for the community benefits ordinance so more developments are supporting their neighborhoods, not rupturing them. She’s also clear-eyed about the lack of housing being the No. 1 cause of homelessness.

“Maple has experience challenging deep-pocketed developers and powerful local institutions with the goal of making inclusive development more than a buzzword. Her compassion and empathy are evident, and her approach to the fraught issues Sacramento faces is more balanced than skeptics may expect.

“As Oak Park and the new District 5 wrestle with displacement and the need for deeper investment to ensure neighborhoods are safe and businesses can thrive, Maple offers a brand of pragmatic progressivism that can deliver thoughtful leadership in an era of rapid transformation.” Sacramento Bee, May 3, 2022. Read more at: https://www.sacbee.com/opinion/election-endorsements/article260899922.html#storylink=cpy

Rick Jennings for City Council, District 7 (Land Park, Curtis Park, Pocket/Greenhaven)

I strongly endorse incumbent Rick Jennings for Council District 7. Rick is running unopposed for reelection for good reason. If you look up “leadership” in the dictionary, you should find a picture of Rick Jennings. He has consistently displayed that leadership, as well as strong commitment to family and community over the years, whether becoming the first college graduate in his family, grinding out a successful professional sports career (including a Super Bowl ring with the Raiders as an undersized 11th round special teams player), enjoying a successful corporate career with Xerox, serving as CEO of the Center for Fathers and Families (CFF), a non-profit organization that serves over 1,800 at-risk youth each day with after school programs and 100 adults weekly with parenting, anger management, domestic violence classes, and health services, serving 12 years on the Sacramento City Unified School District Board, or serving the last eight years as the District 7 Councilmember. Commitment to family, community, and public service is deeply engrained in the lives of Rick’s entire family, including his wife and adult children.

Bina Lefkovitz for County Board of Education

I first met Bina Lefkovitz almost 30 years ago. I was a newly elected City Councilmember and Bina was an impressive up-and-coming City staffer energetically advocating for youth programs and creating a new city Neighborhood Services department - while eight months pregnant. Since that time, Bina has continued to do amazing things in the youth and community development fields, while also raising two wonderful boys. Her expertise in policy, program and partnership development, community and youth development is unparalleled. Simply put, no one is better qualified to serve on the Sacramento County Board of Education.

As an educator, Bina also serves as part time faculty at CSUS teaching Freshman Seminar, and for the California School Boards Association Masters In Governance Program that trains school board members around the state in good governance practices. From 1999-2010, Bina founded and co-directed a nonprofit, the Youth Development Network (YDN). Before 1999, she served as Special Projects Director to the Sacramento City Manager and also served as the Community Development Director for the Housing and Redevelopment Agency.

Bina has a B.A. from Tulane University and a Masters Degree from the LBJ School of Public Policy. She has served as President of the Sacramento County Board of Education, Past President of Congregation B’nai Israel’s Board of Directors, Chairperson of the Sacramento County Children’s Coalition, Chairperson of the Bret Harte School Site Council, a leader with Area Congregations Together, advocating to improve education, member of Sacramento City Unified School District Civic Seal, Social and Emotional Learning and Graduate Profile committees. In her spare time, you will find her bike riding along the American River and in the foothills around Sacramento.