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Voters in District 1 will decide whether to reelect the incumbent or choose a new Stockton City Council representative in the June 2 primary election.
The Stockton City Council is the city’s primary legislative body. It approves the city budget, levies taxes and makes or amends city laws, policies and ordinances.
The city council has seven members, including the mayor. The mayor is elected at large, while the other six members are elected from the city’s six districts.
District 1 is located in the northernmost part of Stockton and had a population of 55,862 as of the 2020 census.
Starting Jan. 1, councilmembers will receive a salary increase to $40,000 annually, or $3,333.33 monthly, with no benefits. They currently earn $30,832.62 annually, or $2,569.40 monthly. The position is part time.
Michele Padilla, the incumbent, is seeking reelection. She assumed office in January 2023 after defeating incumbent Sol Jobrack in the November 2022 election for Stockton City Council District 1. This year, she is facing four challengers: retired nonprofit administrator Annette Sanchez; retired law enforcement officer Tamica Small; and Lan Nguyen and Shelly Hollis, both of whom have listed no ballot designation.
A candidate must receive a majority of votes to win outright. If no candidate receives a majority, the top two vote-getters will advance to a runoff in the general election.
The campaign has centered on public safety, homelessness, economic development and city governance.
Public safety has been a dominant theme among candidates, with several citing concerns about crime and neighborhood safety as a reason for running and a top priority if elected.
Padilla has not participated in candidate forums to outline her plans for a second term. During her first term, she focused on a “Safe Grounds 1-2-3 Model” aimed at addressing homelessness, as well as stricter encampment management and efforts to clear long-standing camps in north Stockton. The model has not yet been implemented.
Sanchez has said she wants to focus on “practical solutions” to issues including safer streets, stronger local businesses, youth opportunities and a more accessible and accountable city government.
Small has said public safety is her top priority, citing concerns about crime in the city as a central reason for her campaign.
Nguyen has also pointed to crime as a key concern, saying public safety issues affecting families and businesses motivated the decision to run.
Hollis has said he is running in part due to political division in the city, and has emphasized representing residents in his district rather than outside interests.
Padilla is endorsed by the North Valley Labor Federation.
Sanchez has been endorsed by former state Sen. Susan Talamantes Eggman and other education, healthcare and civic leaders. Those include retired registered nurse Pat Collier, former NASA astronaut Jose Hernandez, community advocate Lacresia Hawkins, retired San Joaquin Delta College Superintendent Kathy Hart and Lincoln Unified School District Trustee Bonnie Centers.
Small has received endorsements from Service Employees International Union Local 1021, U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett and Vice Mayor Jason Lee.
Nguyen is endorsed by Service Employees International Union Local 1021.
Hollis has not reported any endorsements.
Ballots may be dropped off at any of the county’s 27 secure ballot drop boxes. Voters can view hours and locations on the San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters website. On Election Day, voters may cast ballots at any of the county’s 130 polling places, the registrar of voters’ office or drop boxes. Voting is available until 8 p.m. June 2.
This story will be updated as election results come in.
Record reporter Hannah Workman covers news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at hworkman@recordnet.com or on Twitter @byhannahworkman. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.
This article originally appeared on The Record: Padilla faces four challengers in Stockton City Council District 1 race
Reporting by Hannah Workman, The Stockton Record / The Record
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