Flojaune Cofer: surprise progressive star in California capital’s mayoral race

The 41-year-old epidemiologist and first-time candidate won last month's primary with a nearly 8% lead over her next rival

In an election year where California's races have the potential to be among the most consequential in the US, one of the most fascinating contests is shaping up somewhere unexpected: Sacramento.

The leading candidate to replace the city's mayor is a progressive public health expert running for elected office for the first time. Flojaune Cofer has pledged to reject corporate donations, cut police budgets in favor of workers trained to deal with issues such as mental health and tackle the city's spiraling homelessness crisis.