By Fahizah Alim | Special To The OBSERVER

Dr. Flojaune Cofer, Dr. Dawnté Early, and Porsche Middleton, three dynamic Black women, are poised to reshape the local political landscape. Cofer is running for mayor of Sacramento, Early for mayor of West Sacramento, and Middleton for the state Assembly (District 7). Their campaigns come at a pivotal moment, coinciding with a historic bid for the presidency by a Black woman – Vice President Kamala Harris.

If Cofer, Early and Middleton are victorious, they would be the first Black women ever elected to those positions in this region.

“It’s exciting, it’s historic, and it’s long overdue,” says Faye Kennedy, a longtime Sacramento activist. “Black women have been playing supportive roles for so long; it’s our turn.”

Clarence Caesar, one of Sacramento’s most renowned historians, agrees. “The current election cycle of Black female candidates running for major political offices is unprecedented in our region,” Caesar says. “Unlike earlier years in the region’s history, the level and number of political offices Sacramento area women candidates are now seeking reflect the political growth that was pioneered and nurtured by the elections and/or appointment of earlier Black female office holders such as (late Sacramento City Councilwomen) Callie Carney, Lauren Hammond and Bonnie Pannell.”

Caesar says the rise of these early office-holder pioneers was enabled by the political activism of the ’60s and ’70s that saw the creation of eight Sacramento City Council electoral districts in 1971. Prior to this change, City Council members were elected under an “at large” electoral process that tended to favor candidates from more affluent areas, says Caesar.

“With a few exceptions, this process usually prevented candidates from less prosperous areas from accessing the campaign funding and support needed to mount a successful campaign,” he says. “The establishments of the electoral districts enabled City Council candidates to gain better access to the funding sources provided by citizens, businesses, and community organizations with closer ties to the districts they sought to represent.”

Once established as council members, the doors were open for Black office holders to compete for electoral offices or appointments with larger political constituencies such as county boards of supervisors, boards of education, state Assembly, or Congress.

And Black women are going for it locally as well as nationally.

“Black women are well-positioned to advocate for meaningful change,” says Sam Walton, a seasoned political operative.

“Emerging without the same entanglements as Black men, Black women are positioned to challenge the status quo and balance necessary compromises with broader change,” Walton says. “Historically, Black leaders have had to make concessions to achieve anything within a system that wasn’t designed for them.”

“Black men, in particular, have often been forced to compromise to secure votes from their colleagues.,” Walton adds. “However, this process has long-term consequences, as repeated compromises can dilute their power and influence over time.

“Black women bring a fresh, independent perspective to governance unencumbered by the long term commitments that often constrain their male counterparts,”  Walton says. “Their flexibility allows them to reexamine old compromises, advocating for comprehensive reforms rather than settling for incremental changes.”

A Push For Urgent Change

Incremental change is not what these women are looking for. They want structural changes that the residents in their communities need and deserve now.

“Sacramento’s structural deficiencies can be fixed with clear goals and collaborative efforts, especially around the homelessness crisis,” Cofer says. “I noticed the growing homelessness crisis and felt that despite pouring resources into the problem, the situation worsened due to inefficiencies in fund allocation and a lack of leadership.”

Cofer says she felt that people in power who could have made a difference were not stepping up.

“My leadership approach is grounded in collaboration,” she says. “As a Black woman, I have had to build coalitions and partner with others to make change happen. Including people’s ideas and fostering collaboration will lead to a flourishing city where residents are proud of their community and its progress.”

From a young age, the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, native was shaped by her family’s commitment to education. Her parents were public school teachers, instilling in her the value of service and knowledge. However, her life took a tragic turn at age 11 when she lost her father to heart disease, a loss that ignited her passion for public health. “His passing made me realize how crucial it is to advocate for better health policies,” she reflects.

“My father had been a smoker from his teenage years, without warning about the health risks, and this tragic event drove me to pursue a career in public health with a focus on improving lives through policy.”

Initially pursuing a degree in chemistry, she struggled with anxiety until a supportive professor introduced her to epidemiology. This pivotal moment set her on a new path, leading to a master’s in public health  and a doctorate in epidemiology from the University of Michigan. After completing a fellowship with the California Department of Public Health, she found Sacramento to be an ideal setting for her work, drawn to its progressive public health initiatives.

In Sacramento, Cofer became increasingly aware of the homelessness crisis, which she described as “deeply frustrating.” Despite significant resource allocation, she noted that inefficiencies and a lack of leadership hindered real progress. “Too many in power are content with the status quo,” she laments, highlighting the urgent need for change.

Encouraged by her community, she reluctantly stepped into leadership roles, including appointments to the Mayor’s Climate Commission and the Live Transit Commission. These experiences revealed the structural barriers impeding public health progress and fueled her determination to run for office. “I knew it wouldn’t be easy, especially as a Black woman, but I felt a responsibility to fight for change,” she says. 

With a clear vision for addressing homelessness, Cofer aims to mobilize resources and establish regional strategies. “We need to house 300 people this year and utilize public spaces as safe rest villages,” she suggests, pointing to successful models in Oregon. She believes collaboration is key to implementing effective solutions.

Addressing public safety concerns, Cofer advocates for a balanced approach that doesn’t necessarily reduce police presence but reallocates some responsibilities to community responders. “We must work with law enforcement to create safer neighborhoods while addressing community needs,” she asserts.

Despite her first foray into politics, Cofer won the primary this year by nearly eight percentage points over her next rival, well-known veteran politician Kevin McCarty. Her message resonated with the community, especially Sacramento’s diverse population, which includes Black, Hmong, Latino, Palestinians and Iranian residents. She gained endorsements from six Democratic clubs, while her main opponent received none.

Black Women’s Engagement Advantage

She has knocked on thousands of doors and discusses issues regularly in person and through social media with her supporters and critics.

“When we invite people into the conversation, they see things differently and they’re hopeful in a different way,” Cofer says.

It’s this different way that Kennedy says elevated Cofer to frontrunner status and may send her over the finish line first in November.

“Flojaune is engaging the community and taking her platform to them as they exchange ideas,” she says. “This is what Black women do differently. They are better at engagement.”

Walton shares that sentiment. “As more Black women step into leadership roles, we see a welcome shifting in priorities, fostering an environment ripe for significant, lasting change,” he says. “Their perspective, shaped by both racial and gender marginalization, brings a different lens to governance, one that is not always acknowledged openly, especially in mixed company.”

It’s this lens that Early intends to utilize to grow West Sacramento as its next mayor.

Early was born and raised in Sacramento, a city that shaped her upbringing and values. Both  her parents were involved with the military bases at McClellan and Mather. She attended Capital Christian School, and graduated from Folsom High School. After graduating from UC Davis, she moved to West Sacramento in 2007 to attend graduate school. Her mother introduced her to the city’s affordable housing program, a pivotal moment that opened her eyes to the opportunities the area had to offer.

“West Sacramento has this wonderful inclusionary housing program, something I hadn’t seen elsewhere,” Early says. This opened my eyes to the impact of public policy on everyday life.”

Early’s educational background is impressive. She holds a doctorate in quantitative psychology. Her research focuses on the impact of environment and socioeconomic stress on relationships and children’s mental health, particularly within Black and Latino families.

“I looked at the cascading effects of economic stress and how it impacts mental health, especially for minority communities.” Her work in this field has also led her to examine the role of environmental factors as predictors of mental health.

Professionally, Early’s career trajectory reflects her deep commitment to public service. Starting with the Department of Health Care Services, she led initiatives aimed at addressing health disparities. She then moved to the Department of Corrections and led a statewide initiative for affordable care. Her work on health disparities eventually brought her to a focus on mental health and the long-term impacts of adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs.

In 2021, Early decided to leave state service and became the president and CEO of United Way California Capital Region. “It was a big jump for me, but I felt this rush to do more for my city,” she says. “I wanted to be more hands-on, in the trenches.”

Early first ran for public office in 2020, a year marked by isolation and uncertainty due to the pandemic and the murder of George Floyd. “I remember sitting in my home, isolated like everyone else, and hearing Oprah’s voice in my head. I thought, ‘There’s got to be more I can do.’ I was motivated to take action.”

‘Representation Matters’

With her experience in public policy, she believed she could make the most significant impact in local government, which, as she notes, “affects our daily lives the most. I felt I could bring more to the table.”

She joined with other Black leaders to form a task force, addressing issues around policing and mental health. One of her proposals involved pairing police officers with social workers to better respond to mental health crises. “This protects both the police officers and the community members,” Early says. “It’s about having trained professionals who know how to handle these situations.”

As the first Black woman to serve on West Sacramento’s City Council, Early feels a deep sense of responsibility. 

“Representation matters,” she says. “If you can see it, you can be it.”

She recalls a powerful moment when young girls, including those from the Girl Scouts, pointed to her campaign signs, realizing they could achieve the same – “not just Black girls,” Early says, “but girls of all backgrounds. It’s important for them to see women with young children in positions of power.”

Early’s vision for West Sacramento is about fostering a sense of belonging and community growth. “We’re working on developing spaces where families can come together,” she says. “One of my proudest moments was helping the city purchase a restaurant space that was set to close. It’s now being redeveloped into a hub for five different restaurants with a courtyard for families to gather.”

Early’s leadership is not just about policy, but about making West Sacramento a place where everyone feels welcome. “Sacramento is where my family has grown, and I want it to be a place where others feel they belong, too.”

Reflecting on her journey, Early acknowledges the unique challenges she has faced as a Black woman in leadership. “I often wonder, am I qualified? Am I enough? And the answer is always yes,” she says. “I tell women, especially Black women, ‘You are always enough.’”

Navigating these spaces often means challenging implicit biases and stereotypes. 

“Being a strong Black woman is sometimes seen as a negative, but I stand firm in my role,” Early says. “It’s emotional labor, but it’s also a source of strength.”

Looking forward, Early is focused on West Sacramento’s future, especially around issues such as affordable housing and homelessness. “We need to be innovative, doubling and tripling down on our efforts,” she says. “It’s going to take people from all walks of life to make better decisions for our city.”

As the first Black woman to serve on the West Sacramento City Council, Early hopes to inspire others to pursue leadership. “With Kamala Harris as our vice president, it’s an inspiring time for women, especially women of color,” she says. “My voice matters, and so does yours.”

Driven By A Sense Of Duty

For Porsche Middleton, representation definitely matters.

“Seeing Kamala Harris become the first Black woman vice president was a source of inspiration and empowerment for women everywhere,” Middleton says.

A determined community advocate, Middleton continues to work tirelessly to prove her commitment to the people. Her story is one of resilience, hard work, and a deep sense of responsibility for improving the lives of others through public service.

Born and raised in Louisville, Ky, Middleton’s early life was filled with challenges. Her family faced significant hardships, including losing their home due to a balloon payment following her father’s diagnosis of lung cancer. Eventually, the family moved to California and bought a home in Citrus Heights. Her father survived his illness, and the family’s bond grew stronger.

Middleton began working in the mayor’s office, which sparked her passion for public service. However, a longing to make a bigger impact inspired her to pursue political office, which she sees as a way to fight for affordable housing and public transportation. Despite an initial election loss, she remained undeterred and ran again, securing a victory by 377 votes. Her story of determination is grounded in her belief that “failure is only a failure if you don’t learn from it.”

She was elected to the Citrus Heights City Council in 2018 and holds the distinction of being the region’s first Black woman mayor.

On the council Middleton worked bipartisanly to achieve success on issues such public safety and affordable housing. She draws inspiration from mentors, including her mother, who was involved in local politics, and Barack Obama, who first ran for the Illinois state senate in his 20s. “If Obama can do it, so can I,” Middleton says, recalling her decision to run.

One of her most memorable moments occurred after her election victory. While picking up her son from school, a young girl recognized her and said, “I know you! My parents voted for you because you look just like me.”

This moment reinforced her commitment to serving her community and inspired her to keep fighting for those who feel unheard.

Her political career hasn’t been without struggles. Some of her opponents, including a local school district, pushed to ban books and send teachers back during COVID-19. She sees these as battles against the erosion of hard-won rights.

Her mother and aunts, who fought hard for civil rights, have been a source of strength, and she is determined to make sure corporations aren’t prioritized over people.

“I’m here to work for the people,” Middleton says. “That’s my North Star. I’m optimistic that I can make a difference.”

This difference would not be possible without the population growth that Sacramento’s regional Black community and other communities of color have experienced over the past 40 years, says Caesar. Sacramento’s four-county metropolitan area, which includes the counties of Sacramento, Yolo, El Dorado and Placer, is approaching 2.25 million people. About 7% – nearly 160,000 people – of the area population is Black.

“As a result, we will continue to see more Black male and female candidates seeking electoral office of all kinds in the years to come,” he says.

Caesar says Harris’ campaign will provide much of the momentum that will compel regional Black women to seek these offices wherever they live, as would election victories for Cofer, Early and Middleton.

Walton sees the emergence of Black female leadership as a “welcome signal … as more Black women assume leadership roles, they bring with them a different set of priorities and expectations,” Walton says. “Their leadership is a positive change for the political landscape.

“However, I don’t think there has been enough time for Black women to fully demonstrate their power in leadership roles. While the shift is promising, it remains to be seen how this new era of leadership will unfold and whether Black women will be able to maintain their independence and avoid the compromises that have historically hindered progress.”