Sacramento County Elections & Politics Digest

The Natomas Unified school board voted 3-1 to hold a special election to fill a vacant seat. The vacancy was created when former trustee Cindy Quiralte resigned her position on April 19.

California Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen is hosting a grand opening at her district office on April 30. Attendees living within District 10 can learn about how Nguyen's field staff can help navigate various legal issues, and there will also be children's activities on hand.

Assemblymember Akilah Weber (D-San Diego) is featured in the third installment of Sacramento Observer’s “A Powerful Sisterhood” series that highlights the contributions of past and present Black women lawmakers in California.

California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis became the first candidate to enter the race to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom as the state’s leader.

Flojaune Cofer, former chairwoman of the Measure U Committee and a progressive organizer, on April 19 became the first candidate to throw her name in the 2024 Sacramento mayoral race. She has been highly critical of Mayor Darrell Steinberg, who has not yet announced if he plans to run for reelection.

Assemblymember Lori Wilson is featured in the second installment of Sacramento Observer’s series that highlights the contributions of past and present Black women lawmakers in California.

While a three-way battle to succeed U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein plays out, her recent absence from the Senate has renewed calls for her to resign and let Gov. Gavin Newsom name a successor.

A celebration of life has been scheduled to take place April 15 for former Citrus Heights Councilman Steve Miller. The event begins at 1 p.m. at the Citrus Heights Community Center and is open to the community.

Throughout California’s 173-year history, only 21 Black women have served in the legislature. But these few have fought for a seat at the table and the opportunity to make transformative change locally and nationally. Today their names are synonymous with California politics—women such as Barbara Lee, Diane Watson, Maxine Waters, and Karen Bass.

Accelerated by the COVID pandemic, a shift by state officials toward emails and written statements is making it more difficult for journalists to be watchdogs for Californians.

During an emergency meeting, the San Juan Unified School District’s governing board was initially split 3-3 on whether the vacant seat left by the late Steve Miller should be filled by special election or provisional appointment—but concluded with a unanimous vote to hold a special election.

The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 to pass a symbolic resolution to recognize a Transgender Visibility Week. The lone holdout: Sue Frost.

Steve Miller, who was elected to represent Citrus Heights on the San Juan school board just five months ago after serving for 17 years on the City Council, died unexpectedly March 25.

It takes a constitutional amendment followed by a statewide vote to legalize balloting behind bars.

A new report shows Republicans gained votes in some parts of California where Latinos are a majority. The report from Third Way, a self-described “center-left” think tank, shows although those areas lagged in voter turnout last year, Republicans saw marginal gains.

Rep. Barbara Lee took her campaign for Dianne Feinstein’s Senate seat to Fixin’s restaurant and told local Black leaders what she plans to accomplish.

A Bay Area assemblymember wants voters to decide on a constitutional amendment to push state and local governments to “fully realize” the right to housing, with measures such as tenant protections, rental subsidies, and public housing.

Southern California could reassert itself as the political epicenter after Senator Dianne Feinstein retires. The congressional candidates vying to succeed her in 2024, and the vacancies their campaigns have created, provide opportunities for officeholders who are younger and more liberal.

Folsom Vice Mayor YK Chalamcherla has announced his intention to run for California State Assembly in District 7. He comes into the race with more than 25 years of experience in politics.

A drag show scheduled at Roseville High School was canceled after threats boiled over on social media. Hosted by the Landing Spot, an LGBT youth support group was a fundraiser for a summer camp program.

The race to replace Sen. Dianne Feinstein is shaping up to be a close contest between two congressional colleagues who have built national profiles but appeal to different generations of Democratic voters.

Sen. Angelique Ashby, D-Sacramento, has introduced SB 314, which would require the redrawing of Sacramento County’s supervisorial district boundary lines by an independent commission.

U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee filed federal paperwork to enter the race for the held by long-serving Sen. Dianne Feinstein, joining a field that already includes two other House members.

Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein announced Feb. 14 that she will not run for her Senate seat in 2024, a major moment given that the fight to succeed her is already under way. She says she intends to accomplish “as much for California as I can” until her term ends.

Folsom Mayor Rosario Rodriguez delivered the 2023 State of the City address to a capacity- filled auditorium, marking her first mayoral address.

The San Juan Unified School District board of education looks very different in 2023. Starting in November 2022, it moved to by-trustee area elections, and increased the size of the board.

Zima Creason, Tanya Kravchuk, Ben Avey and Steve Miller were sworn in as members of the San Juan Unified School District Board of Education. Creason was elected board president, while Pam Costa will serve as vice president and Miller as clerk.

The Galt City Council picks Vandenburg; Paul Sandhu will continue as vice mayor. Council also approves higher garbage rates to begin Jan. 1.

The House Jan. 6 committee is wrapping up its investigation into the 2021 U.S. Capitol insurrection. Lawmakers are declaring that they have assembled a "roadmap to justice" to bring criminal charges against former President Donald Trump and allies.

Three new members of the Sacramento City Council took the oath of office Dec. 13 to represent three redrawn districts encompassing communities such as North Natomas, Oak Park and South Natomas.

The Folsom City Council selected its first Latina mayor and Asian American vice mayor at a special meeting on Dec. 16. Rosario Rodriguez was chosen mayor in a unanimous vote, as was YK Chalamcherla for vice mayor.

Betty Williams, the longest-serving president in Sacramento NAACP history, has turned her passion for equality into a lifetime labor of love.