Katie Valenzuela’s hard work made City Council District 4 race surprisingly competitive

Katie Valenzuela delivered the biggest local surprise of the night on Super Tuesday, holding her lead over in incumbent Steve Hansen in the race for City Council District 4.

In the latest count, she has 54 percent of the vote while Hansen has 46 percent.

It may be weeks before all ballots get tallied and we know for sure who won. This much is certain, though: Valenzuela worked hard to connect with voters in District 4. Her lawn signs were omnipresent in the district – an early sign that her grassroots campaign was having an effect. A renter, Valenzuela ran as a staunch advocate for tighter rent control and promised energetic advocacy for people struggling to afford housing.

The Sacramento Bee Editorial Board endorsed Steve Hansen in the race because he has a track record of getting things done. From proposing solutions to homelessness to brokering a rent control deal with activists, Hansen has been a model of pragmatic and effective leadership. Valenzuela’s surprising strength in the race may show that many District 4 voters want more than practical results – they may want bolder ideas and grassroots revolution.

Unfortunately, Hansen took unfair hits in a union-funded propaganda campaign that spread lies about him. Flyers and mailers funded by SEIU 1021 falsely accused Hansen of having been kicked out of the Democratic Party and made him seem like a Republican. These tactics reminded us that lies and deception in Americans elections aren’t just the province of Russian trolls. Our own local misinformation campaigns can also do lots of damage.

To her credit, Valenzuela disavowed the tactics and called on the group to end its attacks on Hansen. If she wins, the union’s lies and deceit may cast a cloud over the victory. Win or lose, however, she can be proud that her hard work made the District 4 race competitive.