Metro Chamber of Commerce makes endorsement in Sacramento mayor’s race. Who did they back?
The Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce’s political action committee has endorsed Steve Hansen to be the city’s next mayor when voters go to the polls in March.
Backing by the group, which represents 1,400 businesses in the capital region, is considered to be one of the major endorsements in the 2024 mayoral race. It will also likely prompt a flurry of donations to the former city councilman’s campaign.
In a news release, the chamber mentioned Hansen’s support of city subsidies to build the downtown Golden 1 Center as one reason to support him. Assemblyman Kevin McCarty, another mayoral candidate, voted against the subsidies during his time on the City Council.
“As a city council member, Steve delivered real results like helping build the Golden 1 Center, opening more shelter beds to combat our homelessness crisis and most importantly breaking down the barriers for small businesses,” board chair Chelsea Minor said in the announcement.
The chamber was a proponent of Measure O, which voters approved last year, allowing the city to clear camps on public land of four or more unrelated people, even without offering a shelter bed.
Hansen also has the endorsement of a similar coalition, the Sacramento Association of Realtors. He also has law enforcement endorsements from the Sacramento Police Officers Association and the Sacramento County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association.
Dr. Richard Pan, another contender in the race who served 12 years in the Legislature before terming out in the Senate, has the endorsement of Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho.
The Central Labor Council and Sacramento Area Firefighters, Local 522, two other influential groups, have not yet announced endorsements.
Epidemiologist and advocate for social justice issues Flojaune Cofer also is running for mayor. She has said she will not accept police union campaign donations.
The primary election will be held March 5. If no one candidate gets more than 50% of the vote, the top two candidates will advance to a runoff in the general election on Nov. 5.
This story was originally published September 22, 2023 at 2:29 PM.
