Sacramento Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026

Tim Riley is a 65-year-old software programmer and South Natomas resident who previously programmed research databases for Everglades National Park for 20 years.

Priorities: Have Sacramento County build Sacramento Dorms, a 5,000-room homeless dormitory with an environment of education. · Have Sacramento County build a new 5,000-cell jail, which will also be in an environment of education. · Have Sacramento County build Sacramento Community College, featuring free tuition and books, and a required course on Ethical Citizenship.

Eric Guerra is a Sacramento City Councilmember who grew up as an immigrant farmworker and later earned degrees in Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Public Policy, serving in various community leadership roles including on the CSU Board of Trustees.

Priorities: Clean and safe streets · Affordable housing · Improved transportation options

Deborah Ortiz is a lifelong Sacramento resident with a deep resume in local and state government, having served on the Sacramento City Council, state Assembly, and state Senate. She currently serves on the Los Rios Community College District Board and has a background in public service focusing on health and education.

Priorities: Protecting and strengthening public health and human services, including the social safety net. · Addressing homelessness by prioritizing the creation of safe and humane shelters. · Ensuring fiscal responsibility and sound budget management for Sacramento County.

Phil Serna is a four-term Sacramento County Supervisor for District 1, first elected in 2010. The son of Sacramento’s first Latino mayor, Joe Serna, Jr., he grew up in Sacramento and earned a master’s degree in city and regional planning.

Priorities: Public safety · Health and social services · Environmental protection and flood control

Santiago Morales Jr. is a state analyst who was raised in Sacramento and graduated from Luther Bank High School, with years of experience interpreting state laws and helping residents access state programs at various public agencies.

Priorities: Balancing Sacramento’s budget · Homelessness · Public safety

Jennifer Chawla is a first-time candidate running for Sacramento City Council, District 1. An immigrant from New Delhi, India, she previously served 13 years with the FBI as a Supervisory Investigative Specialist. Chawla is also the founder of TAI Leadership, a civic reform initiative, and is campaigning on a platform of transparency, accountability, and integrity in local government.

Priorities: Establish a dedicated Mail Theft Task Force · Focus on growing the local economy, supporting small businesses, and attracting high-paying employers · Push for greater fiscal transparency and responsible budgeting in city finances

Lisa Kaplan is the current Sacramento City Councilmember for District 1, having been sworn in on December 13, 2022. An attorney and small business owner, she previously served for 20 years on the Natomas Unified School District Board of Education, bringing extensive experience to her current role.

Priorities: Addressing homelessness and expanding affordable housing options · Strengthening public safety and community policing · Promoting economic development, supporting small businesses, and ensuring fiscal responsibility

Caity Maple is a Sacramento City Councilmember for District 5, elected in 2022. She focuses on practical, coordinated solutions to improve daily life and position the city for long-term stability, addressing issues such as housing affordability, neighborhood investment, and public safety.

Priorities: Increasing housing affordability and supply, and addressing homelessness · Supporting small businesses and fostering a stable economic environment · Investing in neighborhood infrastructure and ensuring clean, safe public spaces

Rick Jennings is a nonpartisan public servant who has served on the Sacramento City Council, representing District 7, since 2014. Prior to his council tenure, he spent 12 years on the Sacramento City Unified School Board and has served as CEO of the Center for Fathers and Families, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening families and communities. He is known for his work in public safety, housing, and parks.

Priorities: Increasing public safety and supporting police and fire departments · Addressing homelessness and building affordable housing for working families

Henry Harry is a Nonpartisan candidate running for election to the Sacramento City Council to represent District 5 in California. He is on the ballot for the primary election scheduled for June 2, 2026.

Scott Lau is an urban planner, transportation professional, and emergency management leader with the State of California, currently an emergency planning branch chief for Caltrans. He was born and raised in Sacramento's District 7 and holds an MBA from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

Priorities: Public safety · Affordability · Supporting small businesses

Christina Pritchett served as a member of the Sacramento City Unified School District school board, representing Trustee Area 3, and was also a Board President. She won re-election in the general election on November 3, 2020, and left office on December 13, 2024.