Jennifer Chawla
Jennifer Chawla is running for election to the Sacramento City Council to represent District 1 in California. Chawla is on the ballot in the primary on June 2, 2026.[source]
Chawla completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Jennifer Chawla graduated from Yuba City High School. Chawla earned a bachelor's degree from the University of California, San Diego, in 2007. Chawla's career experience includes working as an investigator.[1]
Elections
2026
See also: City elections in Sacramento, California (2026)
General election
The primary occurred on June 2, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.
The candidate list in this election may not be complete.
Nonpartisan primary
Nonpartisan primary election for Sacramento City Council District 1
Incumbent Lisa Kaplan (Nonpartisan), Jennifer Chawla (Nonpartisan), and Venkat Mechineni (Nonpartisan) ran in the primary for Sacramento City Council District 1 on June 2, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Lisa Kaplan (Nonpartisan)  | |
 | Jennifer Chawla (Nonpartisan) | |
 | Venkat Mechineni (Nonpartisan) | |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
Chawla received the following endorsements. To view a full list of Chawla's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. To send us additional endorsements, click here.
- State Rep. Stephanie Nguyen (D)
- Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty (Nonpartisan)
- Vice Mayor Karina Talamantes (Nonpartisan)
- Labor Democrats of Sacramento County, Calif.
- Sacramento County, Calif., Democratic Party
- Working Families Party
- California Federation of Labor Unions, AFL-CIO
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Local Union 1245
- Los Rios College Federation of Teachers
- Sacramento Central Labor Council (Sac CLC), (AFL-CIO)
- Greater Sacramento Muslim Public Affairs Committee (GSM PAC)
- Indian American Impact
- Northern California Carpenters Regional Council's Voting Group (Sway voting group by Northern California Carpenters Regional Council)
- Palestine American League Political Action Committee (PALAC)
- SEIU Local 1021's Voting Group (Sway voting group by SEIU Local 1021)
- Sacramento County High School Democrats
- The Sacramento Bee
- UNITE HERE Local 49
- Vote For Peace's Voting Group (Sway voting group by Vote For Peace)
- Wellstone Progressive Democrats of Sacramento
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Jennifer Chawla completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Chawla's responses.
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My path to this moment is rooted in lived experience. I grew up in poverty and know what it means to live paycheck to paycheck. I was the first in my family to attend a four-year university, purchased my first home at 23, and built a stable career in public service. As an immigrant from India, I bring a perspective shaped by resilience, hard work, and a deep understanding of diverse communities.
Beyond my professional experience, I have been actively engaged in my community as a neighborhood leader, school advocate, and local board member. I have worked directly with residents, schools, and city departments to address safety concerns, improve infrastructure, and strengthen community relationships.
I am running for City Council because I believe local government should be responsive, transparent, and focused on delivering real results. My campaign is built on accountability, community engagement, and practical solutions that improve quality of life for all residents.- I am a results-driven leader with a track record of getting things done. With over 13 years of federal service at the FBI and years of community leadership, I understand how systems work and how to navigate them to deliver real outcomes. Whether it’s improving public safety and security, advancing infrastructure solutions, or working across agencies, I don’t wait for solutions, I build them.
- My campaign is focused on delivering real results on the issues that matter most, including public safety and security, economic development, housing, and transportation. I believe we must grow our way out of budget challenges by supporting local businesses, attracting investment, and building a strong local economy. I bring a practical, solutions-oriented approach and prioritize action over rhetoric.
- I am committed to transparency, accountability, and community-driven leadership. Local government should be responsive and accessible to the people it serves. I believe in showing up, listening, and following through. My goal is to build trust in local government while delivering practical solutions that improve quality of life across District 1.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Campaign website
Chawla's campaign website stated the following:
Jenn Chawla’s Priorities
Jenn’s priorities are shaped by listening to residents and focusing on what matters most to District 1.
Public Safety
Combat Mail Theft
Mail theft has become a widespread problem across our neighborhoods. I will allocate a portion of my City Council budget to establish a dedicated Mail Theft Task Force that works in coordination with local law enforcement, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and community partners to investigate theft, identify patterns, and hold offenders accountable.
Increase Police Presence in District 1
Residents deserve to feel safe in their neighborhoods. I will push for the deployment of a dedicated full-time Sacramento Police officer assigned to patrol District 1, ensuring consistent visibility, faster response times, and stronger relationships between law enforcement and the community.
Safer Streets and Traffic Calming
Too many streets in District 1 were built without the traffic infrastructure needed to keep residents safe. I will prioritize traffic safety improvements, including installing stoplights, improving crosswalk visibility, and implementing traffic calming measures in high-risk areas.
One clear example is the intersection of E Commerce Way and Ottumwa Drive, which residents have raised concerns about for years. Despite heavy traffic and pedestrian activity near Kokomo Park and surrounding neighborhoods, this intersection still lacks the stoplight needed to properly manage traffic flow and protect drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
As your Councilmember, I will push the city to prioritize long-overdue safety improvements like this one, ensuring dangerous intersections are addressed before tragedies occur.
Homelessness
Address Homeless Encampments with Accountability and Compassion
Unmanaged encampments create health and safety concerns for both residents and those experiencing homelessness. I will work with the City’s Department of Community Response to relocate individuals living in unsafe encampments to designated safe camping locations where they can keep their belongings and be offered access to health services, housing resources, and support programs.
I will also hold Sacramento County accountable for the funding it receives to address homelessness but too often fails to deploy effectively within city limits. The city cannot carry this burden alone, and the county must be an active and responsible partner in addressing this crisis.
Homelessness is not a single issue and cannot be solved with a single policy. It requires multiple solutions tailored to the root causes, including:
- Mental health treatment
- Drug addiction and recovery services
- Support for those experiencing temporary economic hardship
- Housing assistance for seniors living on fixed incomes
- Reentry support for individuals recently released from jail
By addressing the underlying causes, we can move people toward stability while restoring safety and order in our neighborhoods
Transparency & Accountability
Government works best when residents are informed, heard, and able to hold their leaders accountable. As your Councilmember, I will prioritize open communication, fiscal responsibility, and fair governance.
Consistent Communication with Residents
Residents deserve to know what decisions are being made at City Hall and how those decisions impact their daily lives.
- I will host weekly town halls, either virtual or in person, following City Council meetings so residents can hear directly about what happened, ask questions, and share concerns.
- I will establish a satellite District 1 office within the district, staffed during normal business hours, where residents can come in person to discuss issues, receive assistance, and stay informed about city matters.
Fiscal Transparency and Responsible Budgeting
Sacramento residents deserve to know how their tax dollars are being spent.
- I will push for greater transparency in city finances and demand thorough reviews and audits of city expenditures to identify inefficiencies and ensure responsible spending.
- My goal will always be to balance the city’s budget without layoffs whenever possible by identifying waste, redundancies, and unnecessary spending.
- If reductions become necessary, they should begin at the top, including reviewing compensation among the highest paid positions, elected officials, and long-standing vacant positions before considering impacts to frontline services.
Transparent Boards and Commissions
City boards and commissions should serve as transparent forums where community issues are openly discussed.
- I will advocate for greater transparency and accountability in boards and commissions.
- Appointed commissioners should have greater input on which items are placed on meeting agendas so important matters can be addressed openly and not avoided.
Fair and Equitable Policies
City policies and ordinances must serve all communities fairly.
- I will review and address outstanding ordinances or policies that may unfairly target or disproportionately impact specific neighborhoods.
- Our laws must be applied fairly, consistently, and without discrimination across the entire city.
Smart, Responsible Growth
Economic Development
District 1 should be a place where businesses thrive, residents have access to good jobs, and our community becomes a destination for innovation, culture, and opportunity. As your Councilmember, I will focus on growing our local economy while ensuring the benefits stay within our district. Growth will be based on whether or not it is Smart, Transparent, Fiscally Responsible and Union Friendly.
Support Small Businesses and Bring High-Paying Jobs
Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy. I will prioritize policies that support small business growth, attract high-paying employers, and create opportunities for residents to invest back into their own community.
My goal is to build an economy in District 1 where local businesses can grow, entrepreneurs can succeed, and residents have access to well-paying jobs close to home.
Create an International Food Town Center
District 1 is one of the most diverse communities in Sacramento. I will work to develop a Town Center featuring international cloud kitchens, where entrepreneurs can offer cuisines from around the world in a shared, modern food marketplace.
This destination would celebrate our diversity, support small food businesses, and become a regional attraction for residents and visitors alike.
Improve Transportation and Mobility
Access to transportation is essential for economic opportunity. I will work to expand public transportation options in District 1, including restarting Jibe mobility services for residents without reliable transportation.
These services should also extend to the Robla and South Natomas corridors, ensuring more residents can access jobs, schools, and services throughout the city.
Reinvest Unused Economic Incentives
The City previously allocated $13.5 million in economic incentives related to the Centene project that ultimately did not deliver the promised jobs. I will push to have those funds reallocated toward attracting and creating high-paying jobs directly within District 1, ensuring public dollars are used to benefit our residents and strengthen our local economy.
Develop a Regional Cricket Facility
Cricket is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world and there is strong demand for professional-level facilities in Northern California. I will advocate for the development of a minor-league specification cricket pitch at North Natomas Regional Park.
This facility would attract regional and national tournaments, bringing visitors and economic activity into our district. I will ensure that revenue generated from this amenity is reinvested directly back into District 1, helping expand local amenities and support our growing economy and help build additional amenities like competitive soccer fields!
Community Center for Learning and Gathering
District 1 needs a dedicated space where residents of all ages can gather, learn, and participate in community programs. I will work to develop a community center within the North Natomas Regional Park Aquatic Center complex, which has significant room for expansion.
This center would include:
- Meeting rooms for community groups
- Spaces for youth activities and educational workshops
- Areas for neighborhood events and gatherings
Revenue generated from the proposed regional cricket facility would help fund these improvements, allowing us to reinvest directly into amenities that benefit our community.
Free Access to the Aquatic Center for District 1 Youth
For younger residents, I will work to make the North Natomas Aquatic Center free for all District 1 residents year-round. Safe recreational spaces keep kids active, healthy, and engaged in positive activities within their community.
Expanding Opportunities for Youth
Our young people deserve opportunities to learn, grow, and build a strong future right here in District 1. I believe in creating programs and spaces that support both personal development and real-world skills.
Youth Job Opportunities and Life Skills
I will work to create seasonal and part-time job opportunities for young people during school breaks and summer months, giving them the chance to earn income, gain work experience, and develop responsibility.
In addition, I will support programs that teach practical life skills that many young people never learn in school, including:
- How to save and plan for buying a home
- How to file taxes and manage finances
- How to pay bills and build credit
- How to write resumes and prepare for job interviews
These programs will help prepare our youth for adulthood and give them the tools to succeed financially and professionally.
Human Rights & Ethical Divestment
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
— Jennifer Chawla's campaign website (March 27, 2026)
See also
2026 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on April 2, 2026
