Jenn’s Campaign Platform
Our Vision
District 1 deserves a representative who puts residents first — not special interests or developer lobbyists. Jenn’s campaign is about restoring trust in local government, delivering real progress for Natomas, and building a city that works for everyone.
Guiding Principles
Jenn brings a lifelong commitment to public service, community advocacy, and honest governance. Her campaign is built on three core pillars:
Transparency – open government, full disclosure, and no backroom deals
Accountability – independent oversight, responsible spending, and ethical leadership
Integrity – putting residents first, free from conflicts of interest
District 1 deserves leadership that plans for the future, listens to residents, and protects the public interest above private influence. Kaplan has failed this test — from her lack of transparency around developer ties, to her advocacy for unchecked development, to her vote against the City Council’s ceasefire resolution supported by a multi-faith, multi-ethnic coalition of Sacramentans.
Jenn represents a new generation of leadership — one that puts people before politics, values before special interests, and community trust above backroom deals.
Housing Development & Land Use
The proposed Upper Westside Plan would rezone 2,000+ acres for nearly 10,000 housing units. This threatens traffic congestion, overwhelms infrastructure, and conflicts with the Natomas Basin Habitat Conservation Plan.
But Upper Westside is not the only concern. The Airport South Industrial Park (ASIP) and Grand Park projects add even more pressure on our roads, schools, and public services. Together, these developments risk flooding District 1 with unchecked growth before infrastructure is ready.
Although the Council voted 8–1 against Upper Westside, Lisa Kaplan’s record on greenlighting questionable projects and failing to uphold the Natomas 2030 Plan has eroded public trust.
Jenn will fight for smart, balanced growth—where infrastructure, schools, and parks come first.
Transparency & Ethical Governance
City government must operate free from conflicts of interest. Jenn supports full disclosure of developer meetings and strict recusal policies—meaning if an elected official has financial or professional ties to a project, they must step aside from voting on it.
California’s Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) rules exist to protect the public from these conflicts, but loopholes and weak enforcement erode trust. Kaplan’s failure to disclose her developer client list as an attorney, along with her ties to development interests, shows why reform is urgent.
Jenn will fight to close these loopholes and hold city leaders to the highest ethical standards. Under her plan, recusals won’t be buried in silence—they will be publicly announced with the exact reason why, including every conflict of interest that applies. And every Councilmember will be required to disclose all dealings with developers and contractors in both their personal and professional capacity. That’s the level of transparency our community deserves.
Affordable Housing & Homelessness
North Natomas and District 1 residents cite homelessness and affordability as top concerns. Rising rents and displacement threaten our neighborhoods.
Jenn will advocate for:
Real affordable housing investments
Support services for unhoused residents
Neighborhood programs that prevent displacement
Fiscal Responsibility & Accountability
Taxpayer dollars must be used efficiently and transparently. Thats why Jenn calls for Participatory Budgeting.
Participatory budgeting is when residents directly decide how a portion of the city budget is spent. Residents propose ideas, the community votes, and the winning projects get funded.
Too often, residents feel shut out of decisions about where our tax dollars go. Residents show up to meetings, speak up—but when budgets are finalized, it feels like the same voices are always heard and the same interests always win.
Participatory budgeting changes that. It’s a simple, proven process where the community—not just City Hall—decides how a portion of the budget is spent. Residents propose ideas, those ideas are developed into real projects, and then the community votes. The winning projects get funded. Period.
This isn’t theory—it’s working in cities across the country. In New York, Participatory budgeting brought new playgrounds and safer streets. In Vallejo, California, it funded youth programs and small business support. Everywhere it’s tried, it engages people who usually stay on the sidelines—working families, young people, immigrant communities. The result is projects that reflect what neighborhoods actually need.
Participatory budgeting is about handing power back to the residents of our city. It says to residents: we don’t just want your vote every four years, we want your voice every year. That’s how Jenn aims to rebuild trust in local government. And that’s why it’s time to bring participatory budgeting to our city.
Furthermore, Jenn will push for independent audits of city contracts to make sure every dollar benefits District 1 residents—not special interests. From overlooked programs to major departments, our community deserves full transparency in how tax dollars are spent. Jenn promises nothing less.
Mail Theft in Natomas
Mail theft plagues North Natomas, with some cluster boxes hit multiple times a day. Despite residents providing surveillance footage, the problem persists.
While Kaplan has claimed for years she is working with law enforcement, Sacramento Police documentation contradicts her statements.
Jenn is part of a community coalition fighting mail theft and will demand real accountability and solutions.
Protecting our Most Vulnerable
While the federal government targets immigrants and families on our streets, Jenn will fight to ensure District 1 remains a place of safety and dignity. She will champion stronger immigrant protection programs and create safe spaces where our neighbors can turn for shelter and support. In District 1, no one should live in fear simply for existing.
Ethical Hiring & Leadership
Kaplan has faced scrutiny for hiring individuals with conflicts of interest and questionable conduct—including derogatory comments about our community.
Jenn will set a higher standard:
Ethical, inclusive, community-focused hiring
No retaliation against residents raising concerns
Bridge-building leadership across differences
Mentorship for the next generation to use their voices and run for office
Human Rights & Ethical Investment
The ongoing genocide in Gaza is one of the greatest moral crises of our time. While foreign policy is decided nationally, Sacramento has a moral duty to reflect the values of its diverse, compassionate community.
In March 2024, Sacramento’s City Council passed a resolution calling for a bilateral ceasefire in Gaza, supported by all council members except Lisa Kaplan, who stood alone in opposition—placing herself on the wrong side of history.
The resolution was supported by a multi-faith, multi-ethic, cross-regional coalition of community members and organizations making Lisa Kaplan’s opposition all the more antithetical to the values and people of Sacramento.
Many District 1 families have lost loved ones—their grief is our grief. Sacramento must not remain silent while U.S. taxpayer dollars aid war crimes.
Jenn will work to ensure the City:
Does not invest in or honor individuals, corporations, or states involved in genocide, apartheid, or crimes against humanity
Refuses to host or celebrate those accused of such crimes
Speaks out consistently when human rights are violated
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.