The 2024 Sacramento mayoral election was held on March 5, 2024, with a runoff scheduled for November 5 because no candidate received more than 50% of the vote in the primary election. It will elect the mayor of Sacramento, California. Municipal elections in California are officially nonpartisan.
Epidemiologist Flojaune Cofer took the first spot in the general election, with state assemblyman Kevin McCarty narrowly beating out former state senator Richard Pan and former city councilor Steve Hansen for the second spot. The Sacramento Bee identified Cofer as the most progressive candidate in the race, with McCarty as the "second most progressive," Pan as the "second most moderate," and Hansen as the "most moderate."
The general election was so close that no winner was declared for nearly a month. Ultimately, McCarty was certified as the winner on December 2, defeating Cofer by a margin of 1.4%. McCarty took office as the 57th mayor of Sacramento on December 10, 2024.
Background Incumbent Mayor Darrell Steinberg was first elected as Sacramento mayor in 2016 and reelected in 2020. In 2020, he said he did not plan to seek a third term in office, even though his Strong-mayor ballot measure would have allowed him to seek a third term since it would not apply to his first term, which had occurred before its intended passage. However, since Measure A was voted down by 57% of Sacramento voters, he would be able to run for a third term regardless.
In February 2023, he stated that he was "officially undecided" and that he was "holding the option open". His Chief of Staff Mary Lynne Vellinga stated that he would make his announcement by the end of May 2023. On May 23, he announced that he was instead considering to run for the office of California Attorney General.
Candidates Advanced to general election Flojaune Cofer, epidemiologist and former chair of Sacramento's Measure U Community Advisory Committee (2019–2022) Kevin McCarty, California state assemblyman from the 6th district (2014–present) and former city councilor from the 6th district (2010–2014)
Eliminated in primary Jose Avina, fitness business owner and U.S. Marine Corps veteran Julius Engel, asset protection manager and disbarred lawyer Steve Hansen, former city councilor from the 4th district (2012–2020) Richard Pan, former California state senator from the 6th district (2014–2022)
Withdrawn Maggy Krell, Planned Parenthood California chief legal counsel (ran for state assembly)
Declined Eric Guerra, city councilor from the 6th district (2015–present) and runner-up for AD-10 in 2022 (ran for re-election) Jeff Harris, former city councilor from the 3rd district (2014–2022) (endorsed Hansen) Darrell Steinberg, incumbent mayor (2016–present) (endorsed McCarty in the general election)
Primary election Endorsements
Results
General election Endorsements
Results
Notes
References
External links Official campaign websites Jose Avina for Mayor Flojaune Cofer for Mayor Julius Engel for Mayor Steve Hansen for Mayor Maggy Krell for Mayor (dead link; withdrawn) Kevin McCarty for Mayor Richard Pan for Mayor