In West Sacramento, A Longtime Incumbent Faces A Challenger With Backing From Major Donors

After running unopposed in 2016 — and after defeating his opponent in 2014 by a wide margin — West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon is facing a challenge from an opponent who has the backing of some local unions.

Cabaldon has been mayor since 1998. He says he’s running again to complete a long list of projects, including a billion dollars in levee repairs, a streetcar and a new education model called West Sacramento Home Run.

He says this new education approach includes universal preschool, college savings accounts for every kindergartner, paid internships for high school students and free community college.

“It's the most aggressive plan in the nation, but we're implementing it," Cabaldon said.

But for the first time in years, Cabaldon has a challenger with backing from major donors: Joe DeAnda, who works in communications for CalPERS and previously for the state Department of Human Resources

DeAnda says that, when it comes to education, the city needs more schools. "The schools that they [students] are being sent to are rapidly filling. We are reaching the point where we have more students than we have available spaces," he said.

He is supported by the police union and is calling for higher pay for officers. “I think it’s paramount that we keep experienced officers at our department,” DeAnda said.

Cabaldon says the city has a rapidly increasing pension obligation and must remain financially responsible.

“The forecast is that, within a couple of years, we’re going to see $1 million-per-year increases compounded. Our tax revenues and property tax revenues are not increasing by a million dollars a year. It’s a train wreck,” Cabaldon said.

Cabaldon has raised nearly $50,000 in campaign contributions, about twice what DeAnda has brought in.