Not all of the candidates running to be Sacramento’s next mayor were welcome at a forum on Wednesday.
Sacramento City Councilwoman Angelique Ashby and former state Senate president pro tem Darrell Steinberg made it clear from their answers that they are offering voters a difference in political approach.
“It’s ultimately up to you,” Ashby said. “It’s up to the voters to determine whether time at the state level equates to experience at the local level.”
“Whether it’s homeless permanent-housing dollars, whether it’s career education dollars, I’m in a better position to deliver consistently for my city,” Steinberg said.
Steinberg touted his years leading the state legislature through a financial crisis, while Ashby promoted her role on the City Council and her life story as a struggling single parent who worked her way through law school.
Downtown business owner Janie Desmond-ison left the forum still unsure of her support.
“They both have very different personalities, different approaches, from a character perspective they both have passion,” she said.
Outside the event, several mayoral candidates, including former boxing champion Tony Lopez came to voice their views and their dismay of not being included.