Sacramento Mayoral Candidates Ready For Election Day

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — It's the final countdown in the Sacramento mayoral race. The three candidates spent Monday making their final appeals to the voters.

"We're out here talking to neighbors because ultimately it's up to them," said councilwoman and mayoral candidate Angelique Ashby. "We've spent the last several months doing walks, doing meet and greets, meeting neighbors, being available as possible."

Ashby, former state Sen. Darrell Steinberg, and former boxer Tony "the Tiger" Lopez will duke it out on Tuesday when voters decide who they want to elect mayor. According to election code, if any one candidate gets 50% plus one vote or more of the vote during the primary, then they'll win the race on Tuesday. If none of the three candidates gets that majority, the top two vote-getters will go to a runoff election in November.

"I feel great because we've run a strong positive campaign," Steinberg said. "I just think at this time, I'm in a better position to help lead our city."

Door knocking in Natomas in the afternoon, Ashby reviewed her platform with several voters. Meanwhile, Steinberg spent his afternoon with volunteers at his campaign's headquarters.

"I'm just going to be encouraging people to get out the vote and we're going to be working until 8pm tomorrow," he said.

Ashby and Steinberg butted heads earlier this year over campaign financing. Ashby filed a lawsuit claiming Steinberg had moved money from his state campaign for Lt. Governor to the Sacramento mayor's race.

"If Mr. Steinberg had transferred one dollar illegally, I would have sued him because my goal here is to maintain the integrity of our democratic process," she told CBS 13.

But Steinberg called the suit "a political stunt" and "a distraction."

"I remain positive and I'm focused on Sacramento and solving our major problems so no, I don't think it's going to make a difference," he said, of the lawsuit. "I think people saw it for what it was."

Steinberg said his top priorities as mayor would be improving the economy, tackling homelessness and investing in Sacramento neighborhoods.

"To be a mayor of a city, especially of Sacramento especially in 2016, I can't think of any greater honor," Steinberg said. "Ultimately, you put your faith in the voters."

Ashby said her focus as mayor would be economic development and public safety.

"I want to make sure our crime rates are as low as they can be," she said.

The Lopez campaign told CBS 13 me that their candidate spent the day calling volunteers and thanking donors for their support. He ended the evening with a visit to the Building Health Communities Youth Leadership team. As the day came to a close, the candidates kept pushing on, ready for Tuesday's results.

"I'm looking forward to tomorrow to hear what the voters have to say and celebrate no matter what!" Ashby said.