About Dr. Flojaune Cofer
I’m an epidemiologist, policy director, and advocate for change. I’m running for mayor to build a Sacramento where all of our families can thrive, not just those at the top. I’m not accepting corporate money because I’ve seen too many politicians serve their corporate donors and abandon ordinary hard-working people. As mayor, I’ll provide the leadership to solve our homelessness and housing crisis, make our streets safer, and create thousands of quality jobs while protecting our climate.
As the four-term chair of Sacramento’s Measure U committee, which advised the city on how to spend revenue from a sales tax increase that people voted for, I pushed city leaders to spend our hard-earned taxpayer money in the ways that the public demanded: solutions to homelessness, and programs for our youth. When city officials failed to listen to the people, and refused to take real steps to solve the growing problems on our streets, I decided to run for office. With support from thousands of volunteers across Sacramento, we’re building a people-powered movement for change.
Growing Up
My parents met while teaching middle school; mom taught English, and dad taught math. Raised by two middle school teachers, I developed a love for literature, arts, sports, and community service. I learned the importance of critical thinking and to trust and honor my voice.
My parents often sat at the dining room table with their former students helping them with college admissions essays. Dad was a girls basketball coach, and mom brought me along to drive disabled seniors to their appointments. They taught me the importance of community and taking care of each other.
When I was 11 we were at my aunt’s house when I watched my dad die suddenly of congestive heart failure. He was 47. He started smoking Newport cigarettes when tobacco companies lied about the known dangers and heavily marketed to Black communities. He had also worked in buildings with disturbed asbestos. My father’s death was likely preventable if better policies had been in place to protect him throughout his life. That’s why today I fight for policies that enable us to live longer, healthier, and happier lives with our loved ones, like making sure we can afford a roof over our heads.
Finding My Voice
I attended college in Atlanta, Georgia at Spelman College, a historically Black college for women. I majored in Chemistry and Women’s Studies while dedicating myself to leadership positions and activism as a student organizer.
After undergrad, I earned a Master in Public Health and PhD in Epidemiology from the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health, focusing on women's health. I equipped myself with tools to better protect our communities.
Making an Impact in California
I began my career at the California Department of Public Health, where I built a statewide coalition that decreased infant mortality by 14% across the state. I worked successfully to expand women’s health coverage under Obamacare with no copays.
I used my experience and education to advocate for preventive services for women and access to free wellness visits, maternity care coverage, breast pumps, and birth control.
I transitioned to Senior Policy Director at Public Health Advocates to make a bigger impact for people across California. In my six years there, we have passed state and local policies related to marijuana legalization, community safety, nutrition, diabetes prevention, and racial equity.
I’ve seen firsthand how corporate lobbyists influence government to drive up healthcare costs. I’ve also seen how people can stand up together to make government work for all of us.
As a leader on Sacramento’s Active Transportation Commission, Mayor’s Commission on Climate Change, Sacramento County Sheriff’s Outreach Community Advisory Board, and the Measure U Community Advisory Commission I’ve advocated for policies that improve people’s lives in our city.
As mayor, I’ll collaborate with leaders across the city and state to reduce homelessness, improve our public transportation, make housing more affordable, and make City Hall serve the people.
More is Possible for Sacramento
My mom used to bring me along when she volunteered to drive disabled seniors to their appointments and community events. One day something changed. Life got easier. Suddenly, instead of having to hoist an elderly woman in a wheelchair over a sidewalk, recessed curbs appeared. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 had passed, making recessed curbs, which we now take for granted, a requirement to improve accessibility for disabled people. Government policy made life better for millions of people.
California is estimated to be the fifth largest economy in the world today, just behind Germany, but larger than India. As the capital of the richest state in the richest country in the world, it’s outrageous that we have thousands of people sleeping in the streets. Our city has a huge budget that could be used to make our lives better, but it’s been woefully mismanaged.
As mayor, I’ll work with city council and leaders across the city to determine how we can spend our resources effectively to achieve our top priorities: reduce homelessness, expand affordable housing, improve public safety, and launch a Green New Deal to create thousands of great jobs while protecting our climate and improving our infrastructure.
Why should we trust the same politicians who got Sacramento into this situation to get us out of it? While I respect my opponents in this race, they had their chance in government to make a difference, but things kept getting worse. It’s time for new leadership in Sacramento. More is possible for our city. I look forward to working together to create a city where all of us can thrive.
