Steve Detrick will not seek reelection to Elk Grove City Council District 3 seat, endorses Kevin Spease



In a widely expected announcement, Elk Grove City Councilmember confirmed this morning that he would not seek a fourth term for the District 3 seat in 2020. 

"It has been my greatest honor to serve on the Elk Grove City Council since 2008, and I'm very proud of what we've been able to accomplish," Detrick said in his email announcement. "After three terms representing Council District 3, I will not be running for re-election in November of 2020." 

First elected to the city council in 2008, Detrick defeated Mike Leary, who was seeking his third term for the district representing the north-central area of Elk Grove. Leary was one of the original city council members elected upon Elk Grove's 2000 incorporation.

The move was widely anticipated following last summer's announcement by fellow Republican Kevin Spease that he would seek the position. Currently a member of the Elk Grove Planning Commission, Spease was also endorsed by Detrick in today's statement.

The statement said "I’ve seen Kevin in many different circumstances and one thing that I’ve noticed about Kevin is that he cares deeply about Elk Grove, and he cares deeply about our neighborhoods in District 3. Kevin is exactly the leader we need to make Elk Grove an even better place to live, work, play, and raise a family."

Although Spease has not released an independent statement, Detrick's press release said Spease "believes in Elk Grove and believes we can be even better than we are today. Kevin’s diverse and extensive experience, including his military service, charitable work, and starting and growing a small business from the ground up, uniquely qualifies him to serve the people of Elk Grove on the City Council."

In 2020 city council races, the non-incumbent candidates will face a more favorable environment following the adoption of by-district elections and representation. Instead of having to campaign in the entire city as was previously done in the at-large system, candidates will be selected by the voters, in this case, who reside in District 3.

The city council adopted the change under threat of a lawsuit for violation of the California Voters Rights Act of 2001, although the change was done under duress. Only Mayor Steve Ly supported the changes, but the switch was made after the other four council members were advised by city attorney Jonathan Hobbs losing the lawsuit could cost taxpayers millions of dollars. 

A member of the planning commission since 2014, Spease ran for Elk Grove Mayor in 2016, losing to the current Mayor, Steve Ly. Along with Spease, Maureen Craft, who ran against Detrick in 2016, and Aman Singh have filed candidate paperwork seeking the position.   


Copyright by Elk Grove News © 2019. All right reserved.








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4 comments

Unknown said...

Glad to see Detrick stepping down. We need new blood in the council with new ideas, however not sure Spease is the answer. Yes, he's a local businessman with experience on the PC, but I'm hearing rumblings he may have already sold his soul to the mayor, who is seeking a full-time salried position. An endorsement from the mayor in exchange for Spease's support in the mayor's drive for a full-time paid mayoral position.
Based on his (Mayor Ly's) well known lack of any serious interest for studying and resolving our week-to-week concerns, Spease won't get my vote if he supports this plan. Remember also that last time he ran he said the first thing he was going to do was the stop the roundabout planned adjacent to his parent's property. That would have been an OBVIOUS CONFLICT of interest that Spease never realized. Any reasonably ethical person understands Spease would need to abstain from any discussion and voting on such an issue, not champion it.
Elk Grove has an incredible citizenry many with a breadth of knowlewdge and integrity. We just need a few of the to stand up and offer to serve.

Doc Souza said...

Another “unknown” person who wouldn’t put their name by their allegations. Shocking. Can’t take anyone seriously who won’t stand by what they say.

Randy Bekker said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Randy Bekker said...

Funny comment, Since the Mayor is aligned with the Democratic Progressive’s it would make more sense he make that deal with Craft as she is also aligned with the Progressive wing of their party. Once again little mud slinging against Spease. If you knew Kevin you would know a deal like that with the Mayor would never happen. Lmao, nice try!

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