A prominent labor group in the Sacramento region has endorsed Mayor Christopher Cabaldon’s opponent, Greg Potnick, in the West Sacramento mayoral race.

The Sacramento Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, this week endorsed Potnick to become the city’s mayor. Potnick, a former City Council member of 12 years, said he will advocate for working families as part of his campaign.

“I’ve been a union member and supporter my entire life,” Potnick said.

Cabaldon said Wednesday that he had not yet heard from the labor council on its decision. He said he did not want to comment until he talked to the labor council and learned why it endorsed Potnick.

Bill Camp, the executive secretary of the labor council, said the council wants to be better connected to Cabaldon, but feels it does not have a relationship with him. Camp indicated that the council feels it’s not connected with Cabaldon, saying that the SCLC wants to know more details about upcoming construction projects in the city.

The city is developing its Bridge District on the riverfront. Cabaldon is promoting development for that area.

Cabaldon, an education policy consultant, has served on the West Sacramento City Council since 1996. He has been the city's elected mayor since 2004.

West Sacramento residents started electing their mayor in 2004, according to Janet Chapan, a deputy city clerk. Before the city held mayoral elections, council members named one of their council colleagues to hold the position.

Both Cabaldon and Potnick were chosen by their City Council colleagues to serve terms as mayor before 2004.

Potnick is a retired deputy regional administrator for the state Department of Corrections. He held a City Council seat from 1988 to 2000.

He said he is a former member of unions including the California Correctional Peace Officers Association, the California State Employees Association and the Teamsters.

Photo of Cabaldon by Kathleen Haley. Photo of Potnick used with permission.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.