(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Ronald "Ronnie" Bell, a retired DMV supervisor and lifelong Sacramento native, is positioning himself as a candidate of radical common sense in the race for Sacramento County Supervisor, District 2.
(Ronald Bell is running for Sacramento County Supervisor, District 2. Credit: Ronald Bell, votebell.org.)
During a recent wide-ranging interview, Bell outlined a platform centered on proactive policing, "Housing First" solutions for homelessness, and a complete overhaul of what he describes as an outdated county budget. His interest in local politics is rooted in a deeply personal tragedy that occurred when he was just 13 years old. His father, Aaron Charles Mitchell, was the last man executed in the gas chamber at San Quentin, an event that forced Bell to mature overnight.
"My whole life changed from being this happy-go-lucky athletic teenager... to becoming the go-to person for my mother and seven sisters," Bell shared. "It made a light bulb go on in my head that this is a country that kills people as punishment... Our government is too imperfect to kill someone and find out later they were innocent." This experience led Bell to become a lifelong abolitionist against the death penalty, working with Amnesty International to speak at law schools across the country. This perspective on justice naturally extends into his current views on public safety, where he argues that the current "Problem Oriented Policing" (POP) model is too reactionary.
To address rising local violence, Bell proposes a shift to "Community Oriented Policing" (COP) to fundamentally change the mindset of both officers and residents.
"I think it would change the mindset of a police officer if he was going out to do some community-oriented policing. It includes everybody, not just those 'problem' individuals," Bell stated. "We’ve got to get back to where individual lives are under our care and concern as policemen, as guardians of the community." Building on this vision of security, Bell also advocated for immediate safety measures in schools, including mandatory metal detectors at high school entrances and standing contracts for School Resource Officers on every campus. He notably voiced strong opposition to any police budget cuts, specifically criticizing potential $35 million reductions to the Sheriff’s Department.
In addition to policing, Bell labeled the homelessness crisis a "catastrophe" that requires more than just temporary fixes like "tiny home" villages. He believes the county must prioritize permanent, new construction on vacant land. "The solution to anyone who doesn't have a place to lay their head at night is to give them a place... without strings attached," Bell explained. "Once we get them comfortably set up, then we deal with their issues—mental health, drug addiction, or finding work." To fund these ambitious initiatives, Bell pointed to the county's $9.3 billion budget, claiming that 60% of it is currently "locked" by an old budget plan that has outlived its usefulness. He pledged to bring this plan into the public eye and re-evaluate every funded program for its actual effectiveness.
Beyond budget and safety, Bell’s philosophy is heavily influenced by his academic background as a UC Davis sociology graduate, a discipline he defines as "the study of groups, large groups and small groups." He credits his professors for instilling in him the importance of applying sociological solutions to macro and micro family issues. Recalling his mentor's advice, Bell noted, "He always told us, 'I want you guys after you get your degrees, go use them... exercise the education you're paying $50,000 for.'" This academic foundation also fuels his skepticism of Homeowners Associations (HOAs), which he views as unnecessary barriers to property rights. "I want to get rid of that. We don't need it. It's like they're a strip mall landlord," Bell remarked. He criticized the strict oversight common in these organizations, noting that residents often pay hundreds "just to tell them that they can't paint the house a certain color" or to "notify the HOA president" if they have more than fifteen guests.
Ultimately, Bell's campaign is driven by a sociological view of the "social contract" between the government and its citizens. He criticized current incumbents for forming political alliances that he believes prioritize survival over the needs of the community. "They’re not adhering to the social contract... and that bothers me," said Bell. "If there's a problem in District 1, all the other four districts should go to the aid of District 1 and 'gang up' on that problem until it's solved. Right now, everyone just wants to be responsible to their own district, and nothing gets done." Concluding with a firm stance on his independence, Bell emphasized that he refuses to seek endorsements or corporate funding, focusing instead on his goal of returning Sacramento to a safe environment for all families.
(Scott Lau (left), city council candidate for District 7, with Ronald Bell. Image courtesy of Lau and Bell.)
For Ronnie Bell, this race is more than a bid for office; it is a commitment to the neighborhood that raised him. By stripping away political alliances and focusing on the core "social contract" that binds a city together, Bell hopes to prove that Sacramento’s most persistent problems are not just manageable, but solvable. He remains driven by the simple belief that every resident deserves to live in a community where safety and stability are the standards, not the exceptions.
Learn more about Ronald Bell by visiting his official website at https://votebell.org/. Submit Sacramento County tips and story ideas to Sarah Denos at sarahkdenos@gmail.com.
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