KCRA 3 is hosting a debate Thursday night ahead of the March 5 primary election between the top four candidates running for Sacramento mayor.March 5 will be an important day for the candidates because if one of them wins half of the votes plus one extra vote, they can win the race outright. If that does not happen, the top two vote-getters will advance to the November general election.The debate will air on our channel at 7:30 p.m. You can also watch it in the video player above.Come back to this page after the debate for a recap of how it went. Below is what we know about each candidate from our previous interviews with them.Who are the Sacramento mayoral candidates?Dr. Flojaune CoferShe was the first person to announce her candidacy in April 2023.In addition to her work in the medical field, Cofer serves as the senior director of policy for the nonprofit Public Health Advocates, and she was also the chair of the Measure U Community Advisory Committee.Cofer told KCRA 3 that as mayor, her public service experience and her emphasis on community collaboration will help propel Sacramento to new heights.Find more here.Steve HansenIn 2012, Hansen made history as the city’s first openly gay city council member. If elected, he would be Sacramento’s first openly gay mayor.Hansen served on the city council until 2020 following a re-election loss to council member Katie Valenzuela. In the mayoral race, Hansen said the number one issue will be safety.He said that closely tied to safety is the issue of homelessness. Hansen also called for a regional plan to fund affordable housing.Find more here.Dr. Richard PanHe is a pediatrician, a former UC Davis educator and a prominent proponent of vaccinations. Pan began his time in state government in 2010.He served as an assembly member and, more recently, as a senator before reaching the 12-year term limit.As mayor, he said his priorities would include homelessness, economic development and public safety.Find more here.Kevin McCartyOn the same day Steinberg announced he would not run again, Democratic California Assemblymember Kevin McCarty launched his bid.McCarty has been representing Sacramento in the State Assembly since 2014. He has since been the Chairman of the Assembly’s Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance. Prior to his time in the Legislature, McCarty served on the Sacramento City Council.McCarty’s announcement also comes months after he was re-elected to serve in the Assembly with 65% of the vote. He is still eligible to serve one more term.Find more here.
KCRA 3 is hosting a debate Thursday night ahead of the March 5 primary election between the top four candidates running for Sacramento mayor.
March 5 will be an important day for the candidates because if one of them wins half of the votes plus one extra vote, they can win the race outright. If that does not happen, the top two vote-getters will advance to the November general election.
The debate will air on our channel at 7:30 p.m. You can also watch it in the video player above.
Come back to this page after the debate for a recap of how it went. Below is what we know about each candidate from our previous interviews with them.
Who are the Sacramento mayoral candidates?
Dr. Flojaune Cofer
She was the first person to announce her candidacy in April 2023.
In addition to her work in the medical field, Cofer serves as the senior director of policy for the nonprofit Public Health Advocates, and she was also the chair of the Measure U Community Advisory Committee.
Cofer told KCRA 3 that as mayor, her public service experience and her emphasis on community collaboration will help propel Sacramento to new heights.
Steve Hansen
In 2012, Hansen made history as the city’s first openly gay city council member. If elected, he would be Sacramento’s first openly gay mayor.
Hansen served on the city council until 2020 following a re-election loss to council member Katie Valenzuela. In the mayoral race, Hansen said the number one issue will be safety.
He said that closely tied to safety is the issue of homelessness. Hansen also called for a regional plan to fund affordable housing.
Dr. Richard Pan
He is a pediatrician, a former UC Davis educator and a prominent proponent of vaccinations. Pan began his time in state government in 2010.
He served as an assembly member and, more recently, as a senator before reaching the 12-year term limit.
As mayor, he said his priorities would include homelessness, economic development and public safety.
Kevin McCarty
On the same day Steinberg announced he would not run again, Democratic California Assemblymember Kevin McCarty launched his bid.
McCarty has been representing Sacramento in the State Assembly since 2014. He has since been the Chairman of the Assembly’s Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance. Prior to his time in the Legislature, McCarty served on the Sacramento City Council.
McCarty’s announcement also comes months after he was re-elected to serve in the Assembly with 65% of the vote. He is still eligible to serve one more term.
