The Cordova Community Council and Rancho Cordova Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the Campaign Whistlestop luncheon Oct. 16. Pictured, from left, are 3rd Congressional District candidate Robb Tucker; CRPD District 1 challenger Eric Mott; FCUSD Trustee Area 3 incumbent David Reid; Rancho Cordova council member Linda Budge; Assemblymember Josh Hoover; Planning Commissioner Tegan Mauldin; state Senate District 6 challenger Sean Frame; Rancho Cordova City Council District 5 candidate Lilia Darbinyan; CRPD District 1 incumbent Brian Danzl; and Folsom Cordova Unified School District Board of Education President Jennifer Laret. Photo by Ornella Rossi

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - Candidates seeking state, school board and Rancho Cordova City Council seats made brief pitches to voters Oct. 16 during the second installment of the Campaign Whistlestop, hosted by the Cordova Community Council and Rancho Cordova Area Chamber of Commerce at Rancho Cordova City Hall.

The format draws from the tradition of political candidates traveling by train and making brief campaign stops in communities along the way. Candidates at the luncheon were each given three minutes to discuss their background, priorities and reasons for seeking office.

The program featured races for Folsom Cordova Unified School District Trustee Area 3, state Senate District 6, Assembly District 7 and Rancho Cordova City Council District 5.

Folsom Cordova Unified School District

FCUSD Trustee Area 3 incumbent David Reid used his three minutes to highlight school investments and facility improvements during his time on the board.

Reid, who has served on the board since 2018, pointed to voter-approved Measures R and S and construction underway at Cordova Villa Elementary and Cordova High School. He also discussed security improvements, expansion of Riverview STEM Academy and plans for Three Rivers Innovation Academy.

“One of the reasons why I ran for the school board in 2018 was a desire to improve the education and the facilities on the Rancho Cordova side of the school district,” Reid said.

He told attendees more projects are planned, including additional renovations and athletic facility improvements.

Reid is facing Susan K. Cunningham for the Area 3 seat. Cunningham was not in attendance and did not deliver remarks at the Whistlestop.

State Senate District 6

Democratic challenger Sean Frame and Republican incumbent Roger Niello offered contrasting priorities in the state Senate District 6 race.

Frame introduced himself as a longtime small-business owner, public education worker and former school board member. He centered much of his remarks on affordability and opportunities for younger Californians.

Frame called for more affordable housing, including options for seniors and people with disabilities, and identified health care, education and utility costs among his concerns.

“We need to reach for that California dream that we've all heard about. The one where any one of us could be a star,” said Frame. “Sadly, the greatest predictor of reaching that dream today is being born to a family that's already achieved it. That's unacceptable.

He also advocated for greater investment in education, ranging from transitional kindergarten through college and trade schools.

Niello, who has previously served on the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors and in the state Assembly, focused his remarks on government spending, accountability and California’s cost of living.

“We need to concentrate on outcomes,” Niello said.

He argued that state programs should be evaluated based on their results rather than the amount of money spent and said taxes and regulations are contributing to affordability challenges.

Niello also emphasized the role of political opposition in state government.

“Competition is good for everything, especially government,” he said.

Assembly District 7

Republican Assemblymember Josh Hoover and Democratic challenger Amy L. Slavensky also addressed attendees.

Hoover pointed to his work on homelessness oversight, education and youth social media legislation during his time in the Assembly.

He said he has pushed for greater scrutiny of state homelessness spending and told attendees he wants additional oversight of the Highway 50 construction project.

Hoover also highlighted his work on California’s Phone-Free School Act and legislation addressing social media use among minors. He characterized those efforts as examples of bipartisan work and said controlling costs and addressing public safety would remain priorities.

“We have found ways to be very effective in getting things done,” Hoover said.

Slavensky focused on affordability, education, housing and health care.

A longtime educator, Slavensky told attendees she recently completed 40 years working in California public schools in positions including teacher, principal and superintendent.

She connected her candidacy to her own childhood experiences and said she wants to expand opportunities for families facing financial challenges.

“I am running because I want to be a part of solutions to help people get up and out of poverty,” Slavensky said.

She identified affordable housing, health care and education as three of her primary concerns and called for expanded child care, mental health services, early childhood education and career technical education.

“I will work for everyone, no matter what their politics,” she said.

Rancho Cordova City Council District 5

The luncheon concluded with the three candidates seeking Rancho Cordova’s District 5 council seat: current Councilmember Linda Budge, businesswoman and school principal Lilia Darbinyan, and Planning Commissioner Tegan Mauldin.

Budge emphasized her decades of involvement in Rancho Cordova and experience with local organizations and public agencies.

She described District 5 as an area that contains both older neighborhoods and significant new development and pointed to projects including a planned community center, new development and efforts to create pathways to technology jobs.

“District 5 is where we hold both the past and the future of Rancho Cordova,” Budge said.

Budge said she wants to continue working on the city’s growth and development, telling attendees, “Rancho Cordova is not retiring, and neither am I.”

Darbinyan emphasized her Rancho Cordova roots, business experience and approach to problem-solving.

She discussed founding an Armenian literacy program and opening a private school, presenting those experiences as examples of responding directly when she saw a need.

“We need consistent leadership, responsibility and follow-through,” Darbinyan said.

She identified homelessness, mental health services, public safety and schools among her priorities, calling for an approach to homelessness that combines services with accountability. Darbinyan also said she wants to work with education leaders to strengthen existing schools and plan for new ones as Rancho Cordova grows.

Mauldin highlighted her involvement with the city and local organizations, including her service as chair of the Rancho Cordova Planning Commission and previous work on the city’s Community Enhancement Fund Citizen Oversight Board.

She also pointed to involvement with local schools, youth organizations and community events as experience she said has helped her understand residents’ needs.

“Elected officials should know and represent the needs of the community that they serve,” Mauldin said.

Mauldin said she wants to build on the city’s existing work while bringing new ideas and another perspective to the council.

“I’m not here to disassemble what’s been built,” she said. “I’m here to keep building.”

Following the three-minute pitches, attendees were given an opportunity to speak directly with candidates and ask additional questions.