Flojaune Cofer and Kevin McCarty to face off in Sacramento mayoral runoff Nov. 5

Theresa Clift
·2 min read
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Assemblyman Kevin McCarty will likely face off against Flojaune Cofer during the November Sacramento mayoral election, an election expert said.

A new batch of results the county released Friday shows Cofer with 29.3% of the vote, and McCarty with 21.6%.

That means Cofer will definitely have a spot on the runoff ballot, and McCarty will too, said Paul Mitchell, vice president of bipartisan voting data firm Political Data Inc.

“We’re excited to move on to Round 2,” McCarty said Friday. “I’m thankful to 22,000+ Sacramento voters and for my hundreds of supporters. Our work is not done yet, and I look forward to the next 7 months and the November election. I also want to thank and acknowledge the other candidates who ran spirited campaigns to help build a better Sacramento. In the end, we are all in this together.”

Mitchell said he doubted that Richard Pan with 21.3% of the vote would ask for a recount.

”There are more votes between the two candidates than votes outstanding,” Mitchell said.

In Friday’s tally, 293 votes separated McCarty from Pan.

Sacramento mayoral candidate Kevin McCarty shares some laughs with Mayor Darrell Steinberg and Councilwoman Karina Talamantes at his election watch party at the Green Room in East Sacramento on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.
Sacramento mayoral candidate Kevin McCarty shares some laughs with Mayor Darrell Steinberg and Councilwoman Karina Talamantes at his election watch party at the Green Room in East Sacramento on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.

Pan, a Democrat who served the capital region in the Legislature between 2010 and 2022, conceded shortly after the tally was updated.

“While today’s results are not what we hoped for, I am proud of the campaign we ran,” Pan said in a statement thanking supporters. “I congratulate both Dr. Flo Cofer and Assemblymember Kevin McCarty. ... I remain optimistic about our beloved city of Sacramento.

“I have frequently said Sacramento is a special place full of amazing people, and I am proud to have represented this city for more than a decade. Our city faces serious challenges, and I am hopeful that we will come together to successfully meet those challenges and create the opportunities needed for every person to thrive.”

Former city councilman Steve Hansen, who came in with 21% of the vote, conceded on Tuesday.

Cofer is the most progressive candidate of the four, followed by McCarty.

Cofer drew support across all income levels, but she was particularly strong in lower-income areas like downtown, midtown, Meadowview and Oak Park, a Sacramento Bee analysis found. McCarty received the second most support from low income communities, including Del Paso Heights.

The general election will be held Nov. 5. The new mayor will be sworn in Dec. 10.

Sacramento mayoral candidate Flojaune Cofer hugs a supporter at during her election night party at Our Place in Old Sacramento on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.
Sacramento mayoral candidate Flojaune Cofer hugs a supporter at during her election night party at Our Place in Old Sacramento on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.