Former Gov. Jerry Brown endorses Sacramento council member Angelique Ashby for state Senate

Former Gov. Jerry Brown has endorsed Sacramento City Council member and Vice Mayor Angelique Ashby’s candidacy for Senate District 8.

“Angelique Ashby knows how to balance a budget and get things done,” Brown said in a statement Wednesday morning.

“She’s exactly the right leader to represent the Sacramento Region in the State Senate.”

Ashby is running against former Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones to represent the cities of Sacramento and Elk Grove and most of Sacramento County. The race between the two Democrats has been contentious, especially over the issue of ballot designations. Last month, Jones took Ashby to court when she identified herself as “Women’s Advocate” on the ballot. In April, before the primary election, Ashby called out Jones for self-identifying as “Advocate/Educator.”

“Governor Brown is a bold, effective leader and it is an honor to have his support,” Ashby said in a statement. “I hope to follow his legacy of smart, fair, and pragmatic leadership in the State Senate.”

Brown’s is the latest in a string of big name endorsements for Ashby, following Gov. Gavin Newsom and Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis last week.

Newsom’s endorsement in a race between two Democrats was particularly notable.

“Angelique Ashby is the fighter the Sacramento region deserves and the partner I need in the State Senate to get things done,” he said on October 4.

“Angelique will be the first woman elected to the State Senate from the Sacramento region in more than two decades; she’ll bring years of experience advocating for women ... We need Angelique’s energy, perspective, and results-driven leadership in the State Senate.”

This story was originally published October 12, 2022 at 7:00 AM.