Flojaune Cofer: surprise progressive star in California capital’s mayoral race

‘I’m looking at what will save us money and lives and let us experience safety, not just the performance of safety.’ Photograph: Courtesy Flojaune Cofer for Sacramento Mayor

In an election year in which California’s races have the potential to be among the most consequential in the US, one of the most fascinating contests is shaping up somewhere unexpected: Sacramento.

The leading candidate to replace the city’s mayor is a progressive public health expert running for elected office for the first time. Flojaune Cofer has pledged to reject corporate donations, cut police budgets in favor of workers trained to deal with issues such as mental health and tackle the city’s spiraling homelessness crisis.