City of West Sacramento City Council Councilmember Dawnté Early

Dr. Dawnté Early was the first African American to be elected to West Sacramento’s City Council. She is an expert in public health, mental health, and health equity. She began her career as a public health researcher at the Department of Public Health. She then worked at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Department of Health Care Services, where she led research on the Affordable Care Act and the recidivism of the formerly incarcerated.

Outside of her career, Dr. Early is involved in the community, leading her daughter’s Girl Scout troop and coaching basketball for the West Sacramento Parks and Recreation league. Her love of basketball began at Folsom High School, where she captained the girl’s basketball team. She is married to and has two children.

First elected: Won her seat in a special election in September 2021

Alma maters: Folsom High School; University of California, Davis (bachelor’s degree in psychology, master’s degree in child development, and Ph.D. in human development with a minor in quantitative psychology)

Other positions held: President and CEO of United Way California Capital Region, former chief of research and evaluation for the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission

Board and committee assignments: West Sacramento Aging Commission; Yolo County First 5 Commission

Notable quote: “When I think of why I want to serve as your city council member, I think of the people and the places that make our neighborhoods a community. I imagine walking the trails and picking veggies at the community garden, holding scout meetings at Summerfield Park, and cooling off at the spray park with my family. My goal is to make sure we grow and invest in our city while also preserving what makes District 3 so special.” (Source: Dawnté Early’s campaign website)