Folsom vice-mayor launches campaign for State Assembly

Exactly one year to the date of the 2024 primary, Folsom Vice Mayor YK Chalamcherla officially kicked off his bid to run for California State Assembly District 7. Due to recent redistricting, Chalamcherla's council term is ending in 2024 and he is unable to run for council again unless he moves. "With 25-plus years of government administration knowledge, I want to continue serving our region," he said in a Facebook post. According to a campaign news release, Chalamcherla believes the spending of tax dollars should be scrutinized and expenditures held to the highest standards. In Folsom, he spearheaded the revamping of the city's contract procurement process, which improves standards for awarding bids and saves taxpayer dollars. "It is the duty of the legislature to conduct oversight on how our hard-earned money is spent. Right now, we can do more," he said. "As an Assembly member, I will be a strong proponent for conducting more oversight and increasing transparency for how tax dollars are used." Chalamcherla is also focused on delivering solutions for confronting the homeless crisis, creating jobs, growing the economy and addressing climate change. "We need to start looking at results-driven solutions so that the dollars we dedicate to this community are efficiently and effectively put to use," Chalamcherla said. He was elected to the Folsom City Council in November 2020 and has more than 20 years of experience with civic involvement. Before serving on council, Chalamcherla served as a Folsom Parks & Recreation Commissioner, an Arts and Cultural Commissioner, a county-level board member for the American River Parkway Advisory Board and as a Folsom Community Service Day Steering Committee member. In 2019, Chalamcherla launched a Folsom-based IT firm. For more than 10 years, he has partnered with the state to hold jobs awareness workshops, share public-sector job opportunities, and help others navigate the job application process. Chalamcherla said he has helped hundreds of local residents find jobs. He is also an avid volunteer and has spent more than 10 years working with Folsom schools PTA/PTSO boards, the HART of Folsom, Friends of Folsom, Friends of Folsom Parkways and Powerhouse Ministries. He was named 2022 Volunteer of the Year by the Folsom Chamber of Commerce. Chalamcherla is also a regional leader with Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs and has mentored high school students, offering internships and volunteer opportunities throughout the community. According to the Chalamcherla campaign, the 7th Assembly District is seen as the most competitive Assembly seat in the state. It includes the cities of Citrus Heights, Folsom, Rancho Cordova, unincorporated communities of Carmichael, Fair Oaks, Foothill Farms, Gold River, Mather, McClellan Park, North Highlands, Orangevale and Rosemont. For more information about Chalamcherla's campaign, visit YKforAssembly.com.