Longtime Folsom leader and City Councilmember Sarah Aquino has been recognized as the 2026 California Woman of the Year for Senate District 6 by Roger Niello, an honor that highlights her years of public service, community leadership and deep local roots.
Aquino, who currently represents District 3 on the Folsom City Council, has built a reputation across the region for her hands-on leadership style and commitment to the community she serves. First elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022, she has held multiple leadership roles on the council, including serving as mayor in 2020 and again in 2025, as well as vice mayor in 2019, 2021 and 2024.
In announcing the recognition, Niello pointed to Aquino’s longstanding dedication to public service and the impact she has made throughout Folsom and beyond.
“I want people in the community to know about Sarah. She is a dedicated member of the city council and has done an outstanding job,” Niello said. “She gravitated toward public service like her dad did—everybody knows that. I don’t need to tell people anything about Sarah. She’s a known quantity.”
As part of the recognition, Niello’s office also produced a special tribute video honoring Aquino’s selection, featuring interviews with those who know her best—members of her own family—offering a personal look at the character and values behind her public service.
Aquino’s path into public service reflects both personal inspiration and a deep-rooted connection to the region. She is the daughter of the late State Senator Dave Cox and grew up in Fair Oaks, attending schools in the San Juan Unified School District before graduating from California State University, Sacramento. Prior to joining the city council, she served four years on the Folsom Cordova Unified School District Board of Education, helping shape local education policy and priorities.
Beyond her elected roles, Aquino serves in several regional leadership positions, including as board chair for the Sacramento-Placerville Transportation Corridor Joint Powers Authority, the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District, and the Citizens’ Advisory Committee for both Folsom State Prison and California State Prison, Sacramento. Her work across these agencies reflects a broad commitment to transportation, environmental stewardship and public safety issues impacting the greater Sacramento region.
While her resume reflects years of leadership, those closest to Aquino say her impact goes far beyond titles—something reflected in the tribute video produced for the occasion.
“She’s very kind and well spoken. She thinks everything out before she speaks,” said her mother, Maggie Cox. “She is a worthy recipient of this honor.”
Her son, Andrew Aquino, described her approach to leadership as grounded in principle rather than politics.
“What I admire most about my mom is that she’s not a party servant—she’s a public servant,” he said. “She doesn’t do things because she votes one way or another; she does them because they’re common sense.”
That sentiment was echoed by her sister, Cathleen Stugard, who noted the influence of their father while emphasizing Aquino’s own leadership style.
“She channels my dad quite a bit. We’re very proud of her for that,” Stugard said. “She is quite diplomatic and tries to see both sides of a situation or question so she can understand them and make a better decision.”
Aquino’s daughter, Ellie, pointed to her willingness to step in whenever needed.
“She’s always willing to help anyone and jump in whenever someone needs it,” she said. “She puts 100% into everything she does.”
Her husband, John Aquino, added that her commitment is unwavering once she takes something on.
“When she chooses to do something, she’s totally all in,” he said. “Everything about what she chooses to do is to the max.”
That all-in approach is visible not only in her official duties but also in her everyday presence in the community. Aquino is known for staying closely connected to residents, whether through attending local events, working shifts at Back Bistro on weekends, or even picking up trash around the city—small but visible acts that reflect her belief in leading by example.
The California Woman of the Year recognition is awarded annually to women across the state by members of the California Legislature, honoring those who have made significant contributions to their communities. For Senate District 6, which includes Folsom and surrounding areas, Aquino’s selection underscores her influence as both a local leader and regional advocate.
As Folsom continues to grow and evolve, Aquino’s leadership has remained a steady presence—one shaped by experience, grounded in service and driven by a commitment to the people she represents.
Her recognition as Woman of the Year adds another chapter to a public service career that, according to those who know her best, is defined less by accolades and more by action—and by the people closest to her who see that dedication every day.
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