Democratic Party of Sacramento Announces Endorsements of Elk Grove Candidates

September 14, 2016 |

Elk Grove-based Democratic candidates received a shot-in-the-arm today in their respective bids with the announcement of endorsements from the Democratic Party of Sacramento County (DPSC).

The following Elk Grove candidates seeking office that were endorsed include the following:

• Elk Grove City Council 
• Elk Grove Mayor - Steve Ly
• Elk Grove City Council, District 1 - Darren Suen
• Elk Grove City Council, District 3 - Maureen Craft
• Elk Grove Unified School District
• Area 6 -  Nancy Chaires Espinoza
• Area 7 -  Carmine Forcina
• Cosumnes Community Services District
• At-large seat - Orlando Fuentes

With the exception of two of the races listed above, the remaining four candidates are competing against at least one other Democratic candidate. The exceptions are Carmine Forcina who is facing a Republican opponent, and Orlando Fuentes who has no Democratic opponents but is seeking one of two at-large seats against five opponents.

Aside from having the seal of approval from fellow party members, the endorsements can be of great significance for candidates who are not running as incumbents. Only two of the above-endorsed candidates, Craft and Fuentes, are running as challengers. 

The endorsement will make available significant resources for challengers Craft and Fuentes, who are thought to have fewer resources than incumbent opponents, like precinct walkers, phone banks, and inclusion on the all-important slate mailers.

"We are unified in our commitment to elect Hillary Clinton as our next President. We are united to help build Democratic majorities in Congress and the California Legislature," DPSC Chair Terry Schanz said. "And we are excited to make history right here in Sacramento County by supporting strong, dedicated candidates and local measures that will help us build safe, sustainable and diverse communities we can all be proud of.”

In addition to candidates, the DPSC also issued endorsement on several measures being proposed throughout the County including the Elk Grove Unified School District's Measure M, which it endorsed. The DPSC supports all five tax increase and bond measures being proposed in Sacramento County.