A longtime incumbent on the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors faces two challengers in the June 2 primary. Supervisor Patrick Kennedy, who was first elected in 2014, faces candidates Ronald Bell and Brian Lajda, in the contest to represent District 2, which includes parts of South Sacramento and Elk Grove.
Kennedy is one of the longest-serving county supervisors and is seeking his fourth 4-year term on the board. His two challengers say the county needs to move in a new direction.
Since Kennedy was first elected, the county has faced persistent challenges around homelessness, regional growth, and overseeing a $9 billion county budget.
The board is made up of five supervisors who collectively make decisions on and approve how public dollars are used. This fiscal year, the county faces a $101 million shortfall, making spending decisions on things like public health care, road maintenance, and housing programs a constant balancing act.
The county’s District 2 includes neighborhoods such as South Sacramento, parts of Elk Grove, and rural communities like Vineyard.
Voters will see ballots arrive in the mail starting the week of May 4th. If no candidate wins a majority of votes in this upcoming primary election, the top two will advance to a November runoff.
Ronald “Ronnie” Bell
Bell has spent the majority of his life in Sacramento. He’s a former pastor and UC Davis graduate. He said he’s running for residents who have expressed growing frustration about how the county prioritizes spending. He is critical of the current board’s response to homelessness and public safety in South Sacramento.
“I just want to improve the safety in our neighborhoods, and most importantly, I want to make sure housing is actually affordable, not just talked about, because if we don't change direction, we're going to keep on going the same, getting the same results,” Bell said.
This is not Bell’s first time running for local office. He’s put up past bids for the Sacramento City Council and the Board of Supervisors. In 2018, Bell's first attempt to take the seat from Kennedy fell short, as he only secured 20 percent of the votes in the primary.
Bell said this time around, he’s not focused on securing endorsements to further his name recognition; he’s focused on the needs of the residents.
He said what he hears from residents in the second district is a need for affordable housing options. And that the county is not moving fast enough on building it.
“Families who rent are being squeezed harder than ever before, and rent keeps going up. Neighborhoods don't feel as safe, and homelessness continues to grow, and yet this has all happened under the same leadership,” he said.
Patrick Kennedy
Back in 2014, Kennedy succeeded former Sacramento Mayor Jimmie R. Yee, who retired from the board, leaving the seat open.
Kennedy grew up in South Sacramento and lost his mother to a drug and alcohol overdose when he was young, which he said made him realize how government services can change lives.
With longtime District 1 Supervisor Phil Serna stepping down from his seat early next year, Kennedy would become the board's longest-serving member if reelected. Kennedy said his constituents trust him to deliver results.
“On the bigger picture issues, things like, of course, homelessness, medical care, infrastructure … we’ve made a lot of headway, but these are all very complicated, big issues that take time. And I’d like to have another four years to see those come to fruition and even grow them,” he said.
He said his opponents’ lack of political experience stands in stark contrast to what sets him apart. Kennedy said he’s made visible impacts through his work on housing and homelessness by expanding county mental health services and voting on key projects that created more shelter beds in the region.
“I’m most proud of the work that I’ve done in stepping up and taking leadership roles in providing shelter for homeless people who are on the street,” Kennedy said. “So if we can get people off the street and give them the services that they need to get them clean and sober and then transition them into a more permanent setting, that’s a success.”
Brian Lajda
Lajda works in food services for Elk Grove Unified School District and this will be his first attempt to run for an elected seat. On his campaign webpage, he said he would help improve coordination of disjointed county services and homelessness resources.
“I’m running for Sacramento County Supervisor, District 2, because communities like Elk Grove, Vineyard, South Sacramento, and Florin deserve leadership that understands their daily realities—not just talks about them. I’ve spent years serving in these communities, and I’m ready to bring that experience to county government,” Lajda explained.
Lajda pointed to his volunteer work for community groups like Loaves and Fishes and the Boys & Girls Club. He said this experience has shaped his outlook on local issues.
“I’m not coming from the outside—I’ve been in our schools, our neighborhoods, and our community organizations. I understand the challenges because I’ve worked alongside the people facing them,” his website adds.
Lajda did not respond to multiple requests for an interview from CapRadio.
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