Decision Time

District 7 voters have three choices for City Council

May 2026

The City Council election for District 7, covering Land Park, South Land Park, Little Pocket, Greenhaven and Pocket, will be June 2. Inside asked the three candidates four key questions, ranging from city finances to public access on the Sacramento River parkway. If no candidate receives 50.1% of the votes, the top two will run off in November.

Rick Jennings
City Councilmember Rick Jennings is running for his fourth term as District 7 representative. He is CEO of the nonprofit Center for Fathers and Families, which serves 1,000 at-risk youth.
Why should people vote for you?
Crime in District 7 dropped 19% from 2024 to 2025, making it Sacramento’s safest district. We have improved parks, expanded shelter beds and increased housing supply through Streamline Sacramento. These results come from working across neighborhoods and agencies to solve problems. Progress is real, but there is more work ahead.

What cuts should the city make to address its $66 million budget deficit?
Budget cuts should start with administrative overhead, not public safety, senior services or programs residents rely on every day. Vacant positions that do not provide direct services are a logical place to begin. Addressing the deficit will require a mix of structural reforms and one-time measures while protecting the services that matter most.
What is the biggest problem and solution facing Land Park, Greenhaven and Pocket?
Homelessness is one of the most complex challenges facing Sacramento, and District 7 residents feel its impacts daily. We have increased shelter beds and offer shelter before enforcement, but too many individuals refuse services. The core problem is that Sacramento lacks a legal mechanism to require treatment or shelter when someone continually declines help. The needed solution addresses refusal of shelter or treatment.
How will you ensure the Sacramento River Bike Trail is finally open?
I secured funding for planning, design and half of the remaining construction in Pocket and Greenhaven. The city has approved the project. An ongoing lawsuit has impacted the project and we are still moving forward with design and permitting. Once the suit is resolved, we will open the funded segment, doubling the trail’s current length. Securing that final construction funding is the next priority.

Scott Lau
Scott Lau is an urban planner with the state. He focuses on helping to ensure critical transportation systems function in emergencies.
Why should people vote for you?
I am running for City Council to bring both my professional experience and my lifelong connection to District 7 into city government. My goal is to focus on practical solutions that improve infrastructure, strengthen neighborhood businesses and protect the quality of life that residents value. Sacramento deserves leadership that understands the community and is focused on delivering results.

What cuts should the city make to address its $66 million budget deficit?
The city should begin with a thorough audit of spending to identify inefficiencies, redundant programs and areas where taxpayer dollars are not being used effectively. Before cutting essential services, the city should make sure existing funds are being managed responsibly and delivering clear results for residents. Responsible budgeting starts with accountability. A clear audit of spending, stronger project management and eliminating waste will allow Sacramento to control costs while protecting the services that residents depend on.
What is the biggest problem and solution facing Land Park, Greenhaven and Pocket?
One of the biggest challenges facing Land Park, Greenhaven and the Pocket is maintaining the quality of life that residents value while keeping the area affordable for the people who already live here. Residents consistently raise concerns about aging infrastructure, deteriorating streets, traffic patterns that no longer match how neighborhoods function today and commercial areas that are struggling to stay vibrant. When streets fall apart and traffic becomes harder to navigate, or nearby businesses close, it affects everyday life and makes the cost and inconvenience of living in the neighborhood higher.
How will you ensure the Sacramento River bike trail is finally open?
Residents have been hearing about this project for years. The path forward is simple: bring stakeholders together, identify the obstacles, set a clear timeline and follow through until the trail is completed.

Mark Velasquez
Mark Velasquez is a deputy city attorney for Stockton, where he supports the city’s human resources, administrative services and fire departments.
Why should people vote for you?
I am committed to responsiveness and accountability to District 7’s residents. I care deeply about my home and my community. This community has supported me through good times and bad, such as when my wife and I lost our daughter due to cancer. I have a vision for safer sidewalks, a public cemetery for all of Sacramento residents, a completed bike trail and an overall determination to get things done.

What cuts should the city make to address its $66 million budget deficit?
The City Council often has great ideas but the follow-through and results do not always live up to the vision. We need to finish what we start, like the safer streets initiative, and be prepared to eliminate programs that fail to deliver results. I would cut programs over people. No layoffs. 
What is the biggest problem and solution facing Land Park, Greenhaven and Pocket?
Our district is fortunate to be a true neighborhood within a large city, so our biggest issues are the small, subtle things that don’t always rise to the attention of the broader council. Such as missing or broken sidewalks, especially on school routes, maintenance of our parks, including dog parks, river access and completing the bike trail.
How will you ensure the Sacramento River bike trail is finally open?
First, make a motion to direct the city manager and city attorney to bring to City Council within 30 days the exact needs to get the trails open and completed. Second, make a motion to direct the city manager and city attorney to take all actions necessary, including starting eminent domain proceedings or litigation, to secure access and completion to the bike trail. Enough is enough.

For candidate information, visit rickforsacramento.com (Jennings), scottforsac.com (Lau) and velasquezforsacramento.org (Velasquez).