Roger Dickinson leading over Stephen Walton in early results for Sacramento council election
In the race to represent North Sacramento on Sacramento City Council, Roger Dickinson has a strong lead over Stephen Walton in early returns.
Dickinson had about 62% of the vote and Walton had 37% as of results released just before midnight. The next update is expected from Sacramento County election officials at midnight, followed by Friday.
The last elected representative to hold the District 2 seat was Sean Loloee, who in January resigned after he was criminally charged with federal labor violations relating to his grocery store chain. Loloee also lives in Granite Bay, far outside the district, the U.S. Department of Justice determined following a Sacramento Bee report. Shoun Thao has been serving in the seat on an interim basis.
Dickinson, 74, is a former member of the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors and the California State Assembly, where he largely focused on youth issues. He’s been out of elected office for a decade but decided to run after watching what happened with Loloee, he said.
Walton, 43, is a realtor who has never held elected office. He grew up in Del Paso Heights, and played basketball for Grant Union High School, then went to Morris Brown College on a basketball scholarship. He later moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting, then moved back to Sacramento in 2018.
As of Oct. 19, Dickinson’s campaign raised about $271,700 and has about $30,000 in cash on hand. Walton’s campaign raised less, about $183,000, with $35,000 cash on hand, some of which was used to send out mailers accusing Dickinson of pay-to-play politics and other claims.
Dickinson was endorsed by the Sacramento Police Officers Association, Mayor Darrell Steinberg and all council members aside from Councilman Rick Jennings. Walton was endorsed by the California Apartment Association, Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Sheriff Jim Cooper and District Attorney Thien Ho.
The county will release more results Tuesday evening as well as Friday.
The winner will be sworn in on Dec. 10 along with a new mayor and Phil Pluckebaum to replace Katie Valenzuela to represent the central city.
This story was originally published November 5, 2024 at 8:25 PM.
