Who won school board seats in Sacramento County? Here’s what early poll results show
Thirty-two candidates are vying for 13 school board seats across Sacramento County. The races in five of the seven districts have proved to be quite expensive, with individual and PAC contributions coming in at half a million dollars.
This year’s candidates are running on improving educational outcomes, parents rights and improving school facilities.
Sacramento City Unified School District
Candidates Rolanda Wilkins and Jose Navarro face off to fill the vacant Sacramento City Unified Trustee Area 3 seat, which covers the northeastern part of the city. Navarro has received significant financial support from the district’s teachers union.
Vote totals released early Wednesday morning show Navarro leading in the race with about 59% of the vote. Wilkins trails with 41% of votes.
In Area 4, which covers neighborhoods in the Elder Creek/Fruitridge area, April Ybarra, Jay Martinez and Victoria Vasquez compete for Jamee Villa’s seat. So far, Ybarra leads with 45% of the vote, with Vasquez in second at 28%.
Elk Grove Unified School District
In Area 1 of Elk Grove Unified, incumbent Tony Perez is challenged by Susan Davis, who has received the support of the Elk Grove Education Association. Davis leads with about 60% of the vote.
In Area 6, Jennifer Ballerini leads Jacqueline Ortiz with 61% of the vote.
Area 7 is Elk Grove’s most expensive election, with over $70,000 contributed to two of the three candidates — incumbent Carmine Forcina has reported no campaign spending. Heidi Moore leads the threeway race with 45% of the vote, followed by Forcina with 28%.
San Juan Unified School District
Jennifer Morgan and Mohammad Sharif challenge incumbent Pam Costa for her seat in Area 2. Costa is currently leading the race with 61% of the vote, with Morgan following at 31%.
Martin Ross, Nick Bloise and Catrayel Wood vie for the Area 4 seat. Bloise is currently in the lead with 49%, followed by Wood with 27%.
Folsom Cordova Unified School District
Folsom City Council member YK Chalamcherla is running against Dianna Laney. Chalamcherla leads with nearly 51% of the vote.
In Area 4, incumbent Chris Clark is being challenged by Madelaine Sanderson. Clark leads with 54% of the vote.
Natomas Unified School District
In Area 3, incumbent Micah Grant faces two challengers: Jonathan Cook, who has received significant support from the teachers union, and Sally Trevino Gobea, who has reported no campaign contributions. Grant leads with 60% of the vote, with Cook in second at 30%.
Area 5, Sumiti Mehta leads Monique Langer with 51% of the vote. Langer has received significant financial support from local unions where Mehta received one of the largest single-sourced donations at $10,000 from California Senator Angelique Ashby. She has also received $12,600 from the Charter Public Schools PAC.
This story was originally published November 5, 2024 at 8:32 PM.
