Kevin McCarty awaits results in Sacramento mayoral race. Here’s what his supporters say
Kevin McCarty celebrated his campaign in the mayoral race at Cafeteria 15L in Downtown on Tuesday night.
“I consider myself a lifer of Sacramento,” McCarty said. “It’s a growing city, a diverse city. We have some issues that we need to work on as well, but it’s an amazing city. I’m very excited about the future of Sacramento.”
McCarty faces political newcomer Flojaune Cofer, a public health professional. McCarty held roughly 55.5% of the vote while Cofer had 44.5% as of results released in the last batch before Friday.
A crowd of 200 McCarty supporters remained optimistic as results continued to roll in. McCarty’s lead began earlier in the evening at 9 p.m. and was welcomed with cheers and woos from party guests.
As more votes came in, McCarty’s supporters seemed satisfied and hopeful for the election’s final results may be.
Supporter Esteban Núñez, from East Sacramento, said he values McCarty’s years of experience. He said McCarty’s familiarity with politics makes him feel confident McCarty can “speak to stakeholders” and lead Sacramento to success.
“When you have a system like we do, it’s important that you have somebody who knows how to navigate the system,” said Núñez, who is the son of former Democratic Assembly speaker, Fabian Núñez. “(He) can be courageous and make decisions that are for the betterment of Sacramento as a whole.”
Additional results from the Sacramento County election officials will come at midnight, followed by additional results Friday and next week. A winner may not be declared for several weeks.
Who is Kevin McCarty?
McCarty, 52, rose in Sacramento politics from a city commission to City Council to assemblyman. A self-described “homegrown Sacramentan,” McCarty was born and raised in Sacramento. His mayoral campaign has focused on homelessness, housing affordability and neighborhood safety. McCarty has spotlighted his years of experience, relationships he’s built and previous achievements as a Sacramento politician throughout the past 17 months of campaigning.
Over the years, McCarty authored a first-of-its kind police reform bill, as well as secured money to turn a downtown state office building into housing and $25 million to shelter the homeless people living along the American River.
His endorsements include Mayor Darrell Steinberg, Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho and former council member and mayoral candidate Steve Hansen. McCarty also found favor from the Sacramento Police Officers Association and Sacramento Area Firefighters Local 522.
Among Cofer’s credentials for the job, she spent four terms as the chair of the city’s Measure U committee which advised officials on how to spend sales tax money intended to uplift disadvantaged communities and neighborhoods.
“I know that homelessness has been top of mind, as it should be,” said Genevie Shiroma, a retired SMUD director and McCarty endorser. “I just think that his view about it is practical.”
During his campaign, McCarty focused on improving neighborhood safety, calling for stronger enforcement on laws focused on homelessness. At several candidate forums, McCarty has said he decided to run for mayor when his teenage twin daughters were forced to walk home from school by homeless camps and had to dodge off-leash pitbulls.
“When I think about running for mayor, I really focus on … our teenage high school kids. Running for mayor is about the next generation,” McCarty said. “Thinking about what Sacramento is going to be five, 10 years from now.
McCarty told The Sacramento Bee in October he wants to hire more police officers to keep up with the city’s increasing population. Regarding housing, McCarty has expressed interest in converting commercial buildings into housing.
If elected, McCarty said he will extend the contract of Howard Chan, Sacramento’s City Manager. Chan earned $593,240 in total wages last year, an 8% increase from 2022. Chan’s wages are higher than Gov. Gavin Newsom and any city manager in California. McCarty has called Chan a “fine public servant” and previously worked with him on city council. He added that while he intends to keep Chan on city council, he would not support a raise.
It’s been a night that has “smelled like winning,” supporters of McCarty said. Supporters have chanted his name throughout the night. While hopeful for the results, McCarty said he has not declared victory.
“We certainly hope to continue this trajectory, but we have no idea,” McCarty said.
This story was originally published November 5, 2024 at 11:10 PM.
