Dr. Flojaune Cofer continues her historic run for Sacramento mayor despite legal attack

Sacramentans supporting the first Black woman to run for this office refuse to be silenced by political insiders

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – After a groundswell of support for Dr. Flojaune Cofer’s historic, people-powered run for Sacramento mayor, a political consultant for corporate interests is pushing a lawsuit to try to stop her campaign.

This suit comes after Dr. Cofer, the first Black woman to ever run for the seat, raised $160,000 from nearly 1,000 grassroots contributions just two months after her announcement to run.

“It’s outrageous that the political establishment wants to silence the only woman in the race. She’s the only candidate serious about ending the homelessness crisis,” said Gabriela Utreras, a teacher and single mother of three who donated $18 to the campaign. “City Hall is the people’s house and Dr. Flo is the people’s candidate. She’s refusing corporate PAC money that corrupts our elections.”

The lawsuit is being pushed by a political consultant with a history of representing big business over labor, and who previously submitted four frivolous ethics complaints against a progressive woman of color on City Council – all of which were dismissed. He claims Dr. Cofer’s campaign raised too much money. The primary election period allows unlimited fundraising, and for over 20 years in Sacramento that period has been one-year long. This election cycle, he’s arguing that the primary election period was shortened to just 9 months.

“The people of Sacramento are sick and tired of being kicked around by political bullies as homelessness skyrockets,” said Dr. Cofer. “Let’s be clear: A tiny faction of corporate-aligned political insiders want to silence our supporters because they know I can’t be bought. But we’re not going anywhere. We will continue to fight for a better Sacramento – and we plan to win.”

Sacramento’s campaign contribution laws were created explicitly to level a political playing field which historically “give[s] incumbent elected officials an unfair fundraising advantage over potential challengers.” Yet it is a Black woman – a candidate running in her first campaign – who is under attack. Meanwhile the spirit of the ordinance is clearly dodged by her opponents – career politicians – who were allowed to transfer funds they raised in previous political campaigns, including in one case as much as $400,000.

People who believe in the democratic process are encouraged to donate to Dr. Cofer’s historic run for mayor at: floformayor.com/donate.

To learn more about her vision for the city of Sacramento, visit: FloforMayor.com 

###

Contact: Dave Kempa: (916) 245-0355, info@FloforMayor.com