Jackson, Sulpizio Hull Lead West Sacramento Council Races

Early returns show Preston Jackson and Verna Sulpizio Hull ahead in two open-seat contests for the West Sacramento City Council.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Civic Engagement

Jackson, Sulpizio Hull Lead West Sacramento Council Races

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Preston Jackson held 53.8% of the vote over Dave Jans's 46.2% in the 3rd District race, while Verna Sulpizio Hull led Kathy Bailey 56.5% to 43.5% in the 4th District, as of 8:15 p.m. on Election Day. These are unofficial Yolo County results, and more votes remained to be counted.

Why it matters

Early's decision not to seek reelection means the city's all-woman council will end regardless of who wins the open 3rd District seat. The outcome will shape the council's composition after the departure of West Sacramento's first Black council member.

The first batch of results reflected ballots mailed before Election Day, with Jackson holding 53.8% and Sulpizio Hull holding 56.5% at 8:15 p.m. The final margins remain unknown until the remaining votes are counted.

The players

Preston Jackson

Jackson is a middle school teacher and Planning Commission member who previously served on the Washington Unified School District board.

Dave Jans

Jans is a Realtor and member of the city's Parks Commission who is running for the 3rd District seat.

Verna Sulpizio Hull

Sulpizio Hull is a candidate who led in early returns for the 4th District seat on the West Sacramento City Council.

Kathy Bailey

Bailey is president of the Riva on the River Homeowners Association and a candidate for the 4th District seat.

Christopher Early

Early is the former West Sacramento council member who was the city's first Black council member and now serves as CEO of United Way California Capital Region.

The details

Preston Jackson, a middle school teacher and Planning Commission member who previously served on the Washington Unified School District board, led Dave Jans, a Realtor and Parks Commission member, in the 3rd District race for an open seat. In the 4th District, Verna Sulpizio Hull led Kathy Bailey, president of the Riva on the River Homeowners Association. Former council member Early, who endorsed Jackson, decided not to seek reelection after five years because growing demands on her nonprofit required her full attention.

November 3, 2026: Election Day, with early returns reported that night
November 3, 2026, 8:15 p.m.: Snapshot time of early returns for both races

Civic Engagement Context

Early's departure after five years, and the end of the all-woman council regardless of the 3rd District result, marks a turning point in West Sacramento's council makeup. The races test whether the city's recent representation holds as open seats change hands.

Residents of West Sacramento's 3rd and 4th Districts will see new council representation once final counts are certified. The outcome determines who represents these neighborhoods, including Southport, Northeast Village, and Southeast Village.

The takeaway

Local council races can turn on a few hundred votes, so checking final certified results after the count is complete gives the clearest picture of who will serve. Following the count helps residents understand how representation changes when long-serving members step aside.