Robert J. Hansen | OBSERVER Staff Writer
The Sacramento City Council on Tuesday unanimously appointed Shoun Thao to serve as interim District 2 councilmember.
Thao fills the seat left vacant in January when Sean Loloee resigned after being indicted on federal fraud and labor charges, as reported by The OBSERVER.
“As someone who understands the challenges of our community, I am committed to helping provide a sense of stability for our district at City Hall until a new councilmember can be elected to fill that role in November,” Thao said in a press release issued by the city.
Thao has deep roots in North Sacramento, where his family still lives, and has worked as a Council representative for former District 2 Councilmember Allen Warren.
Thao, who will be sworn in at the Council’s next regular meeting Tuesday, April 2, currently serves as executive director of Hmong Youth and Parents United, a nonprofit focused on youth and marginalized communities. He was selected from among three finalists culled from 12 applicants.
The city decided to appoint a caretaker to serve until the November election, after which either Roger Dickinson or Stephen Walton, the March 5 primary’s top two finishers, will take over when inaugurated Dec. 10.
District 2 has been represented by Mayor Darrell Steinberg since Loloee’s January resignation.