As Expected, Ly Announces Candidacy in Elk Grove Mayoral Race

UPDATED 1:30 p.m.

As expected Vice Mayor Steve Ly announced via social media today that he will be entering the race for Elk Grove Mayor. Ly's announcement comes on the heels of Mayor Gary Davis' announcement last week that he will not seek a third term as the city's directly elected mayor.

Steve Ly during his 2012 campaign for the Elk Grove Unified
School District. 

“I'm humbled, and yet energized by all the support I've received,” Ly said. “All the hundreds of supporters, and volunteers, and donors; it really keeps me going. I'd like to thank everyone who's uniting behind my campaign to fight for the future of Elk Grove.

The first term councilman did not offer any specific reason why he is running for office, or stake out positions on any of the issues facing the city with his announcement. However, Ly has been a protege of Davis and it is widely expected he will continue pursuit of expanding Elk Grove and the $100 million soccer stadium that have been policy cornerstones of the current mayor.

For Ly, the entry into the mayoral race marks the third office he has run for in four years. In 2012 he successfully won a seat on the Elk Grove Unified School District Board of Trustees. When Ly was less than half-way through his four-year term on the school board in 2014, he ran and won his current position on the city council representing the city's fourth district.

Previous to Davis' surprise announcement there were two declared candidates in the race, Joel Broussard and Elk Grove Planning Commissioner Kevin Spease. With Davis' announcement, another candidate is widely believed to be entering the contest.

As he did in his 2012 and 2014 races, Ly will be using Sacramento-based Capitol Campaigns. Among Ly's early endorsements are  and Congressman Ami Bera (D - Elk Grove).

UPDATED 1:30 p.m. Elk Grove Mayor Gary Davis has not endorsed Ly as originally reported. 

Thanks to a reader who sent EGN the link to Ly's Twitter announcement. Ly has blocked EGN from following his feed.