By admin 
Two Rancho Cordova City Council races are on the ballot this November, with one being unopposed.
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Rancho Cordova Planning Commissioner Elliott Stevenson is running unopposed for the 2nd District seat. Incumbent Linda Budge, who has been on the City Council since the city’s incorporation in 2003, is running for reelection in the 5th District against Tegan Mauldin and Lilia Darbinyan.
Where are the districts?
The 2nd District represents much of northern Rancho Cordova, north of Folsom Boulevard and east of Coloma Road.
The 5th District represents much of central Rancho Cordova south of Folsom Boulevard and north of Douglas Road.
This is the first election in the city where the 5th District is on the ballot since Rancho Cordova changed to district-based elections in 2023.
Who are the candidates?
Stevenson, 43, is running unopposed for the 2nd District seat. He currently serves on the Rancho Cordova Planning Commission and is an officer in the California State Guard. He said his priorities include bringing more jobs and revenue to the city.
One way to do that, Stevenson said, is Rancho Cordova’s proposed indoor soccer arena development. The venue is expected to become home to two Major Arena Soccer League teams and could later expand to include housing, hotels, retail, restaurants, a card room and the city’s first movie theater.
Stevenson said the arena will bring “community pride” to the city and become “a hub for the area.”
His other priorities include public safety and modernizing local schools.
Budge, 79, has represented Rancho Cordova since the city incorporated in 2003. She is running for reelection in the 5th District.
Budge said some of her proudest accomplishments during her time on the council include Mather Veterans Village, the Sacramento region’s first permanent supportive housing development for homeless and disabled veterans. She also said she is proud of the arena project and the future community center, both of which are planned for the 5th District, which she said provides “unlimited potential” for the city.
“We hold both the past and the future of Rancho Cordova,” Budge said. “This is how we make progress.”
Mauldin, who is running to represent the 5th District, is chair of the city’s Planning Commission and works for the Sacramento Municipal Utility District.
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She said her greatest priority is “thoughtful development decisions” and making sure future city growth is planned responsibly, including housing that people can afford as well as roads, public transportation and utilities.
Mauldin also said she is an advocate for bringing more jobs to Rancho Cordova and prioritizing parks and other community resources.
Darbinyan, a private school principal and small business owner, is running to represent the 5th District. She said her priorities include addressing homelessness by building rehabilitation and mental health facilities, as well as building out city infrastructure around new housing developments with “smart, responsible growth.”
She also said she wants to streamline support for small businesses and make the city “more interesting for younger families,” including entertainment districts like the arena.
Who is funding the races?
In the 2nd District, Stevenson had about $500 in cash on hand in his campaign finance account as of Sept. 24. He has received donations from Budge, Mauldin and the Laborers Local 185 political action committee.
In the 5th District, Budge had about $23,000 in cash on hand in her campaign finance account as of Sept. 24. She received donations from Assemblymember Josh Hoover’s campaign, R-Folsom; Rancho Cordova City Councilmember David Sander; Sacramento Area Firefighters Local 522 PAC; and the Sacramento County Deputy Sheriffs PAC. She also reported a $10,000 loan to her campaign from herself.
Mauldin had about $5,500 in cash on hand in her campaign finance account as of Sept. 24. She received donations from the Sacramento Building Trades Council PAC, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 340 PAC, Elk Grove Unified School District Trustee Michael Vargas and the Stonewall Democratic Club of Greater Sacramento.
Darbinyan had about $4,000 in cash on hand in her campaign finance account as of Sept. 24. She reported a $60 loan from herself and a $500 loan from her private elementary school. All Trucks Recycling also loaned her $3,000.
Who else is supporting the candidates?
Stevenson is endorsed by Budge, Rancho Cordova Mayor Garrett Gatewood, City Councilmember David Sander and the Sacramento-Sierra Building & Construction Trades Council.
Budge is endorsed by state Sen. Roger Niello, R-Fair Oaks; Assemblymember Josh Hoover, R-Folsom; the Sacramento County Republican Party; Folsom City Council member Sarah Aquino; and the Northern California Building Industry Association.
Mauldin is endorsed by the Rancho Cordova Chamber of Commerce; the Stonewall Democratic Club of Greater Sacramento; Sacramento County Supervisors Patrick Kennedy and Rich Desmond; Rancho Cordova City Council member Joe Little; Rancho Cordova Planning Commissioners Rehana Rehman and Surender Devarapalli; Folsom Cordova Unified School District Board Trustees Chris Clark and Kara Lofthouse; Folsom Mayor Justin Raithel; Elk Grove City Council member Sergio Robles; and Elk Grove Unified School District Trustees Michael Vargas and Delia Baulwin.
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Darbinyan is endorsed by state Sen. Bob Archuleta, D-Pico Rivera.