Elk Grove Tribune, July 28, 2020

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In a surprise announcement today, Elk Grove USD Board Trustee, Bobbie Singh-Allen, declared her candidacy for mayor of Elk Grove.

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“Enough is Enough”, Singh-Allen said in a statement released on social media. “Today, I am announcing my candidacy for Mayor of Elk Grove.”

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Voters elected Singh-Allen to the Elk Grove United School District Board in 2014. She served as EGUSD’s Board President from 2014 – 2016. Her resume includes previous leadership roles at Elk Grove Food Bank, Elk Grove Teen Center, and Sacramento Area Women’s Chamber of Commerce. Sing-Allen currently represents Trustee District 4.

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The Race for Mayor of Elk Grove is Heating Up

 

Today’s announcement comes less than a week after an intense Elk Grove City Council meeting where Singh-Allen confronted current Mayor Steve Ly over ethics concerns. Singh-Allen made her announcement in a long statement released early Tuesday, saying, “When I first joined the school board eight years ago, my son was being bullied…Eight years later, we have a bully at City Hall and I am heeding the call to step up and lead the effort to take back our city and put an end to threats, intimidation, and harassment.”

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Singh-Allen continued, saying: “Steve Ly has used his position to try to silence critics and women in particular. His tactics have been well documented and now he is facing censure from his colleagues in the council. Women, including myself, have unfortunately become all too familiar with Steve Ly’s tactics.”

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Current Elk Grove Mayor, Steve Ly, denied allegations of harassment and intimidation.  Additionally, he also denied allegations he violated any ethics laws. Mayor Ly is facing possible censure at the next month’s meeting of Elk Grove City Council. Last week 4 City Council members voted to put censure of the Mayor on the next agenda.

Singh-Allen said she did not originally plan to run for Mayor. Her statement includes a list of supporters including a number of elected officials. Among them are State Controller Betty Yee, Congressman Ami Bera, and Assemblyman Jim Cooper. In addition, Singh-Allen also lists Sacramento City Councilwoman Angelique Ashby and Sacramento Supervisor Phil Serna among her supporters.

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She joins Elk Grove residents Michelle Kile, Justin Brown, Brian Pastor, and Glen Padayacheean as contenders in the race for Mayor. There are less than 100 days until the Nov 3rd election. However, many California residents begin early voting in October, which is about 60 days away.

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Bobbie Singh-Allen’s Announcement

 

“Enough is Enough.

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I have had a front-row seat to Steve Ly’s bullying, harassment, and intimidation for the last three weeks. He has come after private citizens, community leaders, and elected women. The community is rallying together today to say enough is enough to Steve Ly and his failed leadership.

Today, I am announcing my candidacy for Mayor of Elk Grove.

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When I first joined the school board eight years ago, my son was being bullied. As a parent, I felt that my school failed me, my son, and the child who lashed out physically at my son repeatedly. So I decided to step up to do my part from preventing another child from going through that.

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Eight years later, we have a bully at City Hall and I am heeding the call to step up and lead the effort to take back our city and put an end to threats, intimidation and harassment. Steve Ly has used his position to try to silence critics and women in particular. His tactics have been well documented and now he is facing censure from his colleagues in the council. Women, including myself have unfortunately become all to familiar with Steve Ly’s tactics.

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It’s time to reclaim City Hall and restore good governance, humility, and respect to public service.

I have been on the Elk Grove Unified School District Board of Trustees for the last eight years. I served on the Elk Grove Food Bank Board of Directors. I was an active member of Laguna Sunrise Rotary. I have been committed to this community since 1992. I raised my children in Elk Grove. My brother is a small business owner here and my parents are retired and live in this community.

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I moved to this great country when I was four years old from India. My parents, like all immigrants, wanted a better life for their children. We are a living testament to the American Dream.

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Like you, I want great schools, parks, businesses, public safety, jobs, and a sense of community in Elk Grove. My campaign will focus on uniting Elk Grove. It will focus on being honest and on reflecting the values of all those from different parts of our community. I am humbled to have the support of State Controller Betty Yee, Congressman Ami Bera, Assemblyman Jim Cooper, EGUSD Trustees Nancy Chaires-Espinoza, Crystal Martinez -Alire and Chet Madison, Los Rios Community College Trustee Tami Nelson, SMUD Director Nancy Bui-Thompson, Sacramento City Councilwoman Angelique Ashby, Sacramento Supervisor Phil Serna, Elk Grove Planning Commissioner MacKenize Wieser, Natomas Trustee Lisa Kaplan, CADEM Vice Chair Alex Rooker, CADEM Secretary Jenny Bach, Elk Grove Businesswoman and Social Justice Advocate Sharie Wilson, and many others that have stepforward to endorse my candidacy in the last 24 hours.

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I was not planning to run. This movement was never about me. But I must answer the call to serve. Election day is on November 3rd. We will have many conversations in the next 90 days or so and I hope I can count on your support and your vote.”