Stafford, Vang enjoy straw poll victories at NAACP forum

Mai Vang (left) and Tracie Stafford after Thursday night's
straw poll victories. | 

As part of the voter forum held on Thursday, February 13 by the Greater Sacramento NAACP a straw poll for each of the three candidate discussions was held. Two of those three straw polls were won by two progressive candidates.

Those candidates who prevailed were Tracie Stafford who is one of three challengers for the 9th District California Assembly seat held by Jim Cooper. The other was Mai Vang, who is one of four candidates seeking the Sacramento City Council District 8 seat that is being vacated by Larry Carr.

Stafford won the poll conducted immediately after the panel discussion between herself and fellow Democrat Jim Cooper and Republican Eric Rigard by an almost three-to-one margin,. The vote tally was 156 for Stafford, 56 for Cooper, and 5 for Rigard.

In the closely watched Sacramento City Council District 8 race, Vang and well-known minister and civil rights activist Rev. Les Simmons are the two front runners among the four candidates. In their results, Vang captured 115 votes. Simmons earned 76, Daphne Harris got 7, and Ronald Bell won 4 votes. 

Vang, who is currently a member of the Sacramento City Unified School District Board of Education, expressed thanks for the support she received from those attending the forum.

“I’m incredibly thankful to the District 8 voters who came to the Candidates’ Forum and made their voices heard," Vang said. "Every individual makes a difference, and I’m grateful that they recognized my experience and readiness to serve.”

Even though Cooper is expected to earn the most votes in the March 3 primary, the race for second place is less certain. For Stafford, the victory represents a validation of the viability of her candidacy and a strong signal she will advance to the November general election against Cooper, who is seeking his fourth term.

"I am honored and over the moon with the results," Stafford said. "It is a recognition of being an important part of that community."

The straw poll victory comes days after Stafford won an endorsement from the Sacramento Stonewall Democrats club. Stafford said it indicates her campaign is gaining momentum as the March 3 primary approaches. 

"This is a winnable race," she added.

Compliments of the Greater Sacramento NAACP.

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