Stories to Watch in Elk Grove For 2026

Happy New Year!

As we start 2026, there will be several stories that Elk Grove News and our readers will undoubtedly follow. Given this is an election year, and this year's California primary and general elections will be held in the aftermath of Proposition 50, campaigns and candidates will generate substantial interest and will be a focus of Elk Grove News.

Along with elections and campaigns, there will be other stories with consequences in 2026. Let's examine some of these stories that will be consequential in Elk Grove.

Disposition of the old Elk Grove Library

The City of Elk Grove is expected to move into its new library facility mid-year. The new single-level facility, a former Rite Aid drugstore on the corner of Elk Grove Boulevard and Waterman Road, replaces the current two-level facility, which opened in 2008 about a mile away on Elk Grove Boulevard.

During the last Elk Grove City Council meeting of 2025, the city promised extensive public input on the disposition of the structure. Will the city follow through on that promise in 2026?   

Permanent Homeless Shelter Location

The City of Elk Grove is scheduled to reveal the proposed location of its permanent homeless shelter. If it is located adjacent to a neighborhood, it will undoubtedly cause a dustup with residents.

Interestingly, as Elk Grove News reported, the city has entered into negotiations to purchase a commercial property in the civic center, adjacent to the Elk Grove Police Department. Given that this location is not close to many residential dwellings and could operate under the police department's watchful eye, it might cause the least friction for Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen and her city council.  

Matsui - Vang Showdown

Undoubtedly, one of the most interesting election stories for Elk Grove will be the Matsui-Vang election contests. Progressive Democrat and Sacramento City Councilmember Mai Vang is challenging long-time Democratic Rep. Doris Matsui for California's 7th Congressional District.

The race will pit the millennial generation and progressive Vang against the 81-year-old establishment Democrat Matsui. The race, which could be fought in both the June primary and November general elections, will be interesting to watch.

Will Viable Challengers Arise to Challenge Local Incumbents?

Will viable candidates challenge incumbents on the Cosumnes Community Services District Board of Directors, the Elk Grove Unified School Board of Trustees, and the Elk Grove City Council? By viable, we mean candidates who are willing to spend tens of thousands of their own money to challenge an entrenched incumbent.

Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen already has one challenger, Roger Banos. Mr. Banos has begun advertising his candidacy in the Elk Grove Citizen.

Also, will Sacramento County District 5 Supervisor Pat Hume face a challenger as he seeks his second term? Republican Hume narrowly won his seat in 2022, but given the power of incumbency and this fundraising, will a viable Democrat challenger surface?  

Will Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen Continue Accepting Death Merchant Cash?

Elk Grove's Mayor, who began her political career as a Republican but switched as the city became a Democratic dominated city, still has GOP qualities. One of those Republican tendencies, among many that she has not shed, is accepting cash from big tobacco companies.  

While the Democratic National Committee and the California Democratic Party do not have a formal stance on receipt of tobacco donations, most donations now flow to Republicans and are generally frowned on. As Singh-Allen tries moving up the political ladder, will she continue to accept them, and will they come back to haunt her?    

Traffic Congestion

Even though the City of Elk Grove and our elected officals continually claim it is a smart city and is effectively addressing growing traffic congestion, real-life experience for bicyclists and motorists says otherwise. Is there anything meaningful the city can do to address this growing frustration, or will the Mayor and her city council continue to claim five-point plans?  

Will Project Elevate See Any Progress?

For the last few years, Elk Grove elected officials have crowed about the so-called Project Elevate. Even though there is a development agreement with a Southern California strip center developer, will any meaningful things happen this year with this now decades-long planned mixed-use center?

How About That ACE Commuter Train Station in Laguna West?

Even though the City of Elk Grove has a limited role, will there be any progress on the long-planned Altamont Commuter Express/Amtrak rail station? Construction has not started as promised, and the station was scheduled to open to passenger use in 2026.

Summer Villas Project

The most consequential decision Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen and her four city councilmen will make during 2026 is on the proposed 499 single-family high-density housing Summer Villas Project.

Will they decide to make a significant change to the General Plan and allow a high-density subdivision in the city's rural area, thus opening the area west of Elk Grove-Florin Road to more housing rather than large-acreage parcels? Or will they honor the promise made by every one of their predecessors over Elk Grove's 25-year history and preserve the large parcels and rural character of a significant portion of the city's entire geographic area?   

The question will come down to whether they honor their word to constituents or succumb to the sweet, sweet allure of contributors' cash? Their decision will determine the fate of this area over the next several decades.