Jim Cooper

James Cooper (born January 5, 1964) is the current Sheriff of Sacramento County and politician who served in the California State Assembly. He is a Democrat who represented the 9th Assembly District, which encompassed portions of Sacramento and San Joaquin counties.

Cooper was a member of the California Legislative Black Caucus and Assistant Majority Floor Leader. Prior to being elected to the Assembly in 2014, he was an Elk Grove founding mayor and city councilmember, as well as the Sacramento County sheriff's captain.

Political positions Cooper has also been described as a "crusader against criminal justice reform". Examples of this include his opposition to Proposition 47 and support for Proposition 20.

Cooper is opposed to fossil fuel divestment and played a key role in halting the progression of SB 1173, a bill that would have forced CalPERS and CalSTRS to divest from most fossil fuel holdings.

Sacramento County sheriff Cooper unsuccessfully ran for Sheriff of Sacramento County, California in 2010 and lost against Scott Jones. Before running, he had a thirty-year career in various positions at the Sheriff's office.

On March 15, 2022, Cooper announced that he would be a candidate for Sacramento County Sheriff. In the election, he defeated his opponent, undersheriff Jim Barnes with 54.48% of the vote.

Electoral history