Jennifer Chawla
Jennifer Chawla is running for election to the Sacramento City Council to represent District 1 in California. Chawla is on the ballot in the primary on June 2, 2026.[source]
Elections
2026
See also: City elections in Sacramento, California (2026)
General election
The primary will occur on June 2, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.
Nonpartisan primary
Nonpartisan primary election for Sacramento City Council District 1
Incumbent Lisa Kaplan (Nonpartisan), Jennifer Chawla (Nonpartisan), and Venkat Mechineni (Nonpartisan) are running in the primary for Sacramento City Council District 1 on June 2, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Lisa Kaplan (Nonpartisan) | |
 | Jennifer Chawla (Nonpartisan) | |
| Venkat Mechineni (Nonpartisan) | ||
| ||||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
Chawla received the following endorsements. To send us additional endorsements, click here.
- State Rep. Stephanie Nguyen (D)
- Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty (Nonpartisan)
- Vice Mayor Karina Talamantes (Nonpartisan)
- Labor Democrats of Sacramento County, Calif.
- Sacramento County, Calif., Democratic Party
- Working Families Party
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Local Union 1245
- Los Rios College Federation of Teachers
- Sacramento Central Labor Council (Sac CLC), (AFL-CIO)
- Greater Sacramento Muslim Public Affairs Committee (GSM PAC)
- Indian American Impact
- Palestine American League Political Action Committee (PALAC)
- Sacramento County High School Democrats
- UNITE HERE Local 49
- Wellstone Progressive Democrats of Sacramento
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
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You can ask Jennifer Chawla to fill out this survey by using the button below or emailing info@vote4jenn.org.
Campaign website
Chawla's campaign website stated the following:
Jenn Chawla’s Priorities
Jenn’s priorities are shaped by listening to residents and focusing on what matters most to District 1.
Public Safety
Combat Mail Theft
Mail theft has become a widespread problem across our neighborhoods. I will allocate a portion of my City Council budget to establish a dedicated Mail Theft Task Force that works in coordination with local law enforcement, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and community partners to investigate theft, identify patterns, and hold offenders accountable.
Increase Police Presence in District 1
Residents deserve to feel safe in their neighborhoods. I will push for the deployment of a dedicated full-time Sacramento Police officer assigned to patrol District 1, ensuring consistent visibility, faster response times, and stronger relationships between law enforcement and the community.
Safer Streets and Traffic Calming
Too many streets in District 1 were built without the traffic infrastructure needed to keep residents safe. I will prioritize traffic safety improvements, including installing stoplights, improving crosswalk visibility, and implementing traffic calming measures in high-risk areas.
One clear example is the intersection of E Commerce Way and Ottumwa Drive, which residents have raised concerns about for years. Despite heavy traffic and pedestrian activity near Kokomo Park and surrounding neighborhoods, this intersection still lacks the stoplight needed to properly manage traffic flow and protect drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
As your Councilmember, I will push the city to prioritize long-overdue safety improvements like this one, ensuring dangerous intersections are addressed before tragedies occur.
Homelessness
Address Homeless Encampments with Accountability and Compassion
Unmanaged encampments create health and safety concerns for both residents and those experiencing homelessness. I will work with the City’s Department of Community Response to relocate individuals living in unsafe encampments to designated safe camping locations where they can keep their belongings and be offered access to health services, housing resources, and support programs.
I will also hold Sacramento County accountable for the funding it receives to address homelessness but too often fails to deploy effectively within city limits. The city cannot carry this burden alone, and the county must be an active and responsible partner in addressing this crisis.
Homelessness is not a single issue and cannot be solved with a single policy. It requires multiple solutions tailored to the root causes, including:
- Mental health treatment
- Drug addiction and recovery services
- Support for those experiencing temporary economic hardship
- Housing assistance for seniors living on fixed incomes
- Reentry support for individuals recently released from jail
By addressing the underlying causes, we can move people toward stability while restoring safety and order in our neighborhoods
Transparency & Accountability
Government works best when residents are informed, heard, and able to hold their leaders accountable. As your Councilmember, I will prioritize open communication, fiscal responsibility, and fair governance.
Consistent Communication with Residents
Residents deserve to know what decisions are being made at City Hall and how those decisions impact their daily lives.
- I will host weekly town halls, either virtual or in person, following City Council meetings so residents can hear directly about what happened, ask questions, and share concerns.
- I will establish a satellite District 1 office within the district, staffed during normal business hours, where residents can come in person to discuss issues, receive assistance, and stay informed about city matters.
Fiscal Transparency and Responsible Budgeting
Sacramento residents deserve to know how their tax dollars are being spent.
- I will push for greater transparency in city finances and demand thorough reviews and audits of city expenditures to identify inefficiencies and ensure responsible spending.
- My goal will always be to balance the city’s budget without layoffs whenever possible by identifying waste, redundancies, and unnecessary spending.
- If reductions become necessary, they should begin at the top, including reviewing compensation among the highest paid positions, elected officials, and long-standing vacant positions before considering impacts to frontline services.
Transparent Boards and Commissions
City boards and commissions should serve as transparent forums where community issues are openly discussed.
- I will advocate for greater transparency and accountability in boards and commissions.
- Appointed commissioners should have greater input on which items are placed on meeting agendas so important matters can be addressed openly and not avoided.
Fair and Equitable Policies
City policies and ordinances must serve all communities fairly.
- I will review and address outstanding ordinances or policies that may unfairly target or disproportionately impact specific neighborhoods.
- Our laws must be applied fairly, consistently, and without discrimination across the entire city.
Smart, Responsible Growth
Economic Development
District 1 should be a place where businesses thrive, residents have access to good jobs, and our community becomes a destination for innovation, culture, and opportunity. As your Councilmember, I will focus on growing our local economy while ensuring the benefits stay within our district. Growth will be based on whether or not it is Smart, Transparent, Fiscally Responsible and Union Friendly.
Support Small Businesses and Bring High-Paying Jobs
Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy. I will prioritize policies that support small business growth, attract high-paying employers, and create opportunities for residents to invest back into their own community.
My goal is to build an economy in District 1 where local businesses can grow, entrepreneurs can succeed, and residents have access to well-paying jobs close to home.
Create an International Food Town Center
District 1 is one of the most diverse communities in Sacramento. I will work to develop a Town Center featuring international cloud kitchens, where entrepreneurs can offer cuisines from around the world in a shared, modern food marketplace.
This destination would celebrate our diversity, support small food businesses, and become a regional attraction for residents and visitors alike.
Improve Transportation and Mobility
Access to transportation is essential for economic opportunity. I will work to expand public transportation options in District 1, including restarting Jibe mobility services for residents without reliable transportation.
These services should also extend to the Robla and South Natomas corridors, ensuring more residents can access jobs, schools, and services throughout the city.
Reinvest Unused Economic Incentives
The City previously allocated $13.5 million in economic incentives related to the Centene project that ultimately did not deliver the promised jobs. I will push to have those funds reallocated toward attracting and creating high-paying jobs directly within District 1, ensuring public dollars are used to benefit our residents and strengthen our local economy.
Develop a Regional Cricket Facility
Cricket is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world and there is strong demand for professional-level facilities in Northern California. I will advocate for the development of a minor-league specification cricket pitch at North Natomas Regional Park.
This facility would attract regional and national tournaments, bringing visitors and economic activity into our district. I will ensure that revenue generated from this amenity is reinvested directly back into District 1, helping expand local amenities and support our growing economy and help build additional amenities like competitive soccer fields!
Community Center for Learning and Gathering
District 1 needs a dedicated space where residents of all ages can gather, learn, and participate in community programs. I will work to develop a community center within the North Natomas Regional Park Aquatic Center complex, which has significant room for expansion.
This center would include:
- Meeting rooms for community groups
- Spaces for youth activities and educational workshops
- Areas for neighborhood events and gatherings
Revenue generated from the proposed regional cricket facility would help fund these improvements, allowing us to reinvest directly into amenities that benefit our community.
Free Access to the Aquatic Center for District 1 Youth
For younger residents, I will work to make the North Natomas Aquatic Center free for all District 1 residents year-round. Safe recreational spaces keep kids active, healthy, and engaged in positive activities within their community.
Expanding Opportunities for Youth
Our young people deserve opportunities to learn, grow, and build a strong future right here in District 1. I believe in creating programs and spaces that support both personal development and real-world skills.
Youth Job Opportunities and Life Skills
I will work to create seasonal and part-time job opportunities for young people during school breaks and summer months, giving them the chance to earn income, gain work experience, and develop responsibility.
In addition, I will support programs that teach practical life skills that many young people never learn in school, including:
- How to save and plan for buying a home
- How to file taxes and manage finances
- How to pay bills and build credit
- How to write resumes and prepare for job interviews
These programs will help prepare our youth for adulthood and give them the tools to succeed financially and professionally.
Human Rights & Ethical Divestment
Jenn will work to ensure the City:
- Does not invest in or honor individuals, corporations, or states involved in genocide, apartheid, or crimes against humanity
- Refuses to host or celebrate those accused of such crimes
- Speaks out consistently when human rights are violated
— Jennifer Chawla's campaign website (March 27, 2026)
See also
2026 Elections
External links
Footnotes
