New candidates step forward in open Sacramento City Council races. Here’s who’s running
The Sacramento City Council could again see big turnover in the next election.
A month ahead of the filing deadline, the field is shaping up for three open council seats.
The primary election will be held June 7, which is when the District 3 and District 5 winners could be determined. In District 1, where three candidates are expected to run, the winner may not be determined until the Nov. 8 election. To win in June, a candidate needs to secure 50% of the vote plus one.
Soon after November election, a fourth council seat could open. In District 6, if Councilman Eric Guerra wins his race for the state Assembly, the city would hold a special election to fill his council seat, likely in the spring.
Here are the candidates who have announced so far:
District 1
Where it is: Part of North Natomas, part of North Sacramento
Council member: Angelique Ashby, who is not running for re-election in June because she is running for state Senate.
Who’s running:
▪ Lisa Kaplan, longtime Natomas Unified School Board member, and an attorney. She is endorsed by Councilmen Guerra and Rick Jennings.
▪ Alyssa Lozano, a realtor and president of the Natomas Chamber of Commerce.
▪ Nate Pelczar, who works at the California Product Stewardship Council, an environmental organization, and is a board member for the Stonewall Foundation of Greater Sacramento, which serves LGBTQ+ youth. He is endorsed by Ashby and Councilman Jay Schenirer.
District 3
Where it is: South Natomas, part of North Natomas.
Council member: Jeff Harris, who no longer lives in the district due to redistricting and is not running.
Who’s running:
▪ Karina Talamantes, Ashby’s chief of staff, and president of the Sacramento County Board of Education. She is endorsed by Ashby, Mayor Darrell Steinberg and council members Mai Vang, Katie Valenzuela and Rick Jennings.
▪ Michael Lynch, founder of nonprofit Improve Your Tomorrow, which helps men of color get to college. He is endorsed by Councilmen Jay Schenirer and Rick Jennings.
District 5
Where it is: Oak Park, Parkway, parts of South Sacramento.
Council member: Jay Schenirer, who no longer lives in the district due to redistricting and is not running.
Who’s running:
▪ Caity Maple, a homeless activist and vice president of government affairs at Perfect Union, a cannabis company, who owns a home in North Oak Park. Ashby and Valenzuela have endorsed her.
▪ Tamiko Heim, a state worker who owns a home in North City Farms. She has served on the city Active Transportation Committee since 2019. Schenirer has endorsed her.
District 7
Where it is: Pocket-Greenhaven, Curtis Park, Land Park
Council member: Rick Jennings, who owns a home in Pocket-Greenhaven and is running for re-election.
Who’s running: Jennings is running for re-election. No one has announced a challenge.
This story was originally published February 11, 2022 at 3:25 AM.
