Sacramento City Councilmember Lisa Kaplan has declared victory in her bid to represent North Natomas for another four years.
The latest election results show Kaplan won about 52.7% of the vote in the District 1 race, meaning she will avoid a November runoff against challenger Jenn Chawla.
Chawla, a first-time candidate endorsed by Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty and Vice Mayor Karina Talamantes, earned about 42% of the vote. She has conceded the race.
Kaplan told CapRadio on Tuesday that voters rewarded her for being “a tireless advocate, a listener and a fearless voice for all of us. Even those who disagree with me.”
“Election night showed they believe I rolled up my sleeves and accomplished some things that people said weren’t possible,” Kaplan added.
She said voters recognized her “refusal to settle for the status quo.”
Kaplan said she’ll continue to advocate for projects such as a new fire station in her district, which is among the fastest-growing areas in the city and could see the addition of thousands of new nearby homes in coming years.
Despite some high-profile disagreements with the mayor over where to locate a new homeless shelter in North Natomas, Kaplan said she plans to work collaboratively with city leaders.
“Let's move forward with positivity for the city,” Kaplan said. “Animosity doesn't benefit our city or our citizens. So I look forward to working with the mayor and the vice mayor in my second term.”
In a statement, Chawla thanked her supporters, adding “the work is not done.”
“This was not the outcome we worked so hard for, but I am incredibly proud of what we built together,” Chawla said. “This campaign changed me. It changed what I know is possible. And it reminded me that the fight for transparency, accountability, and integrity does not begin or end with one election.”
City councilmembers serve four-year terms. Kaplan’s second term officially starts in December.
CapRadio’s Riley Palmer contributed reporting.
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