Spease, Ly to Hold Elk Grove Mayoral Campaign Kick-off Events

Elk Grove Mayoral candidates Steve Ly (left) and Kevin
Spease will hold competing kick-off events in Elk Grove. 

Reflective of their in-place campaign operations, Mayoral contenders Kevin Spease and Steve Ly will hold campaign kick-off events tomorrow morning in Elk Grove. Spease, a Planning Commissioner and Ly, a City Council Member are two of seven candidates seeking to replace Mayor Gary Davis, who decided against seeking a third two-year term.

Of the seven candidates, Spease was the earliest to announce his candidacy for Mayor. At the time of Spease's entry into the race, Davis had started his campaign fundraising efforts and was presumed to seek his third term.

Before Davis' surprise decision in July to drop out of the race, another candidate, Joel Broussard had entered the race and another one, Michael Monasky was contemplating running. Once Davis dropped out, Monasky, and three others, Jrmar Jefferson, Garret Smith, and Tracie Stafford jumped into the contest.

Ly's event will be held at 8235 Laguna Blvd. and will include pep-rally type entertainment provided by Grant Union High School's Drumline and a performance from Tub Hmoob Txuj Ci. The function will start at 10 a.m. and will be followed by a precinct walk.  

Ly has been endorsed by Davis and Elk Grove Unified School Board Trustee, Carmine Forcina. 

About a mile away, Spease will hold his event at 8139 Elk Grove Blvd. Spease's event will start at 10 a.m. and will be followed-up with a 2 p.m lunch hosted by Steve's Pizza of Elk Grove.

Among endorsers and supporters expected for Spease's event include members of the Elk Grove Police Officers Association, Elk Grove City Councilman Pat Hume, Elk Grove Unified School District Board of Trustees President, Bobbie Singh-Allen and fellow Trustee, Nancy Chaires-Espinoza. Along with the Elk Grove Police Officers Association, Spease received the endorsement of the Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce's Political Action Committee. 

Although none of the major labor endorsements have been issued, it is expected that Stafford and Ly are in contention. 

On Tuesday night the Elk Grove-South County Democratic Club will issue endorsements for candidates seeking office in Elk Grove and who are registered Democrats. Among the mayoral candidates invited to speak include Ly, Broussard, Jefferson, and Stafford. 

Although Ly currently holds office in the Elk Grove and has name recognition, Stafford is said to be well positioned to earn the club's endorsement, which is based on a popular vote of due-paying members in attendance.