Sacramento mayor comments on initial midterm election results

Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg held a press conference on Wednesday reacting to early election results in several local races. 

Steinberg spoke to a potentially changing city council, which could see three new female members, all of whom are ahead in early returns.

“I think there are some city council elections that still can't be called,” he said. “If the results hold up in [District] 3, which I believe they will, then I can proudly say as the mayor of Sacramento that we are going to have a majority woman-led city council, and that's a good thing. That's progress. And that gives me more than hope for the future.”

Karina Talamantes leads in District 3, which includes South Natomas and Gardenland. Caity Maple is ahead in District 5 which includes Oak Park and Hollywood Park. Finally, Lisa Kaplan has a large lead in District 1, which includes North Natomas. 

Steinberg also addressed several local measures, including Measure O, which had been highly contested ahead of Election Day.

Steinberg said if Measure O passes, it will keep the pressure on the city and county to address homelessness. As of 6 p.m. Wednesday, results show out of the 37,782 ballots counted, 56% of voters were for and 44% were against the measure.

The measure would make it easier for the city to clear homeless encampments. But it could only go into effect once the two agencies sign an agreement on providing services to unhoused residents. 

“And that agreement must include a real ongoing, intensive effort to get clinically trained people out into these tent encampments, to diagnose those with underlying health conditions on the streets, in the encampments themselves and then automatically enroll them for whatever it takes to help them get off the streets,” he said.

He also addressed Measure L, a city initiative that could give an estimated $10 million to youth programs annually, if passed. 

As of 6 p.m. Wednesday, results show out of the 38,465 ballots counted, 60% of voters were for and 40% were against the measure. This is the third time in six years Sacramento voters have been asked to weigh in on establishing a dedicated funding stream for youth services in the city’s budget. 

“The third time is, in fact, the charm,” Steinberg said. “The people of this community want a city that is for and about young people, they want more youth programming, they want more youth investments, they want more and better parks for our kids.”

Updated election results are expected on Friday afternoon.