One Sacramento City Council race is over. Here’s who’ll succeed Angelique Ashby
Lisa Kaplan, a longtime member of the Natomas Unified School Board District Board of Trustees, has declared victory in her race for Sacramento City Council.
Kaplan will represent District 1 on the council, the North Natomas seat occupied by Angelique Ashby for the last 12 years.
As of Friday, Kaplan had received 61% of the vote, while realtor Alyssa Lozano had received about 38%. The election is not yet certified.
Kaplan, an attorney, declared victory on Saturday after Sacramento County’s most recent election update.
“As your Councilwoman, I promise to bring my same work ethic, transparency and problem solving attitude to City Hall that I’ve had for the past 20 years as a school board member,” Kaplan wrote on Facebook. “I love our community, and will make decisions based on facts, input, and the greater good — all with a little heart thrown in there. So please be patient and kind as I get up to speed on everything — it will take me a little bit. I’m honored D1 with your vote and support.”
Kaplan, a Democrat, received campaign donations from the city police and fire unions. She also had support from business groups and developers, such as the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, California Apartment Association, California Real Estate PAC, Angelo K. and Katina Tsakopoulos, and Mark Friedman.
Mayor Darrell Steinberg has also donated to her campaign. Council members Rick Jennings, Eric Guerra, Katie Valenzuela, Jeff Harris, and Mai Vang endorsed her.
On homelessness, Kaplan supported Measure O, the business-backed measure that would also allow officials to sweep more camps from public spaces. As of Friday the measure had 52% of the vote. Kaplan said she’d like to see a homeless site in North Natomas along transit routes. She wants to see an audit of current homeless programs and spending before proposing specific sites.
On crime, Kaplan said she wants the city to hire more police officers. She supports the $1 billion California Northstate hospital and medical school planned for the former Sleep Train Arena site, but does not want the city to give a subsidy to the for-profit hospital and medical school unless it achieves full accreditation. An academic accreditation agency put the school on probation in March.
Kaplan will be sworn in on Dec. 13, along with two other new members. Those races remain too close to call.
In District 5, representing Oak Park and parts of South Sacramento, Caity Maple has 52% of the vote, while Tamiko Heim has 48%. About 400 votes separate the two.
In District 3, representing South Natomas, Karina Talamantes has 53% of the vote, while Michael Lynch has 46%. About 600 votes separate the two. The county plans to release more results Tuesday.
This story was originally published November 21, 2022 at 1:23 PM.
