Hollywood continues to influence Stockton politics after comedian and actress Tiffany Haddish contributed $5,900 to Stockton City Council District 1 candidate Tamica Small’s campaign, according to campaign finance filings.
Haddish’s $5,900 contribution to Small, reported as received April 28 and disclosed May 21 in Small’s latest Form 460 filed with the city clerk’s office, is among the top individual donations in the three Stockton City Council races in the June 2 primary election.
Form 460 is a campaign disclosure report required by the Fair Political Practices Commission that details contributions received and spending by candidates and committees.
Small, a Stockton native who retired from law enforcement after more than 20 years as a county probation officer, is one of three candidates seeking to unseat District 1 Councilmember Michele Padilla. The other candidates are Annette Sanchez, Lan Nguyen and Shelly Hollis.
District 3 Councilmember Michael Blower and District 5 Councilmember Brando Villapudua are also facing multiple challengers in the primary election.
Jessica Toccoli, Joey Veltri and Stefanie Alfaro are challenging Blower, while Desiree Lynch, Mary Elizabeth, Ruben Harper and Max Beas are challenging Villapudua.
To be elected outright, a council district candidate must receive a majority of votes cast in the primary election. If no candidate receives a majority, a runoff election will be held at the general election.
Small’s campaign did not respond to questions about Haddish’s contribution, including her relationship with the donor and whether she solicited the donation and, if so, how.
Other questions included what aspects of her platform align with the donor’s support and whether she expects the donor to play a public role in the campaign, such as at events, endorsements or fundraising.
Attempts to reach Haddish for comment on the donation were unsuccessful. The entertainer is best known for her role as Dina in the 2017 comedy film “Girls Trip” and is close friends with Vice Mayor Jason Lee. She has frequently visited Stockton and most recently appeared in March to join Lee in for Read Across America events at Aspire Secondary Academy in Sierra Vista and August Knodt Elementary School in Weston Ranch.
In December, she took part in Lee’s Hollywood Cares Foundation third annual Toys for Joy event in Stockton. Lee, who calls her his friend and “ride or die,” said he bonded with Haddish over their shared foster care experience.
Haddish appeared as a guest on The Jason Lee Show in April, where she and the vice mayor discussed several topics, including her frequent appearances in south Stockton as Mrs. Claus during the Christmas season and her love for the community.
“What I love about Tiffany is that, like me, she’s down to do anything to help uplift young people,” Lee said. “The first year you came as Mrs. Claus, you sat there for I don’t even know how many hours. All day. You refused to go to the bathroom when you needed the bathroom because you were taking pictures with every single kid who came in. And then this year you did the same.”
Haddish, who lives in Los Angeles, said she felt joy interacting with children and parents in south Stockton and hearing their laughter and cheers, especially when she is feeling down about things in her life.
“I care,” Haddish said. “I care to bring relief. That’s why I do comedy, because comedy creates relief. It takes the pressure off, so any way that I can be a part of something like that, I’m going to do it, especially if it’s with somebody I love, my friends, and then for a community that I love and care about.”
Lee was elected to the Stockton City Council in November 2024. He has backed multiple candidates in council races this year, including Small in District 1 and Lynch in District 5.
A previous Form 460 campaign finance statement filed May 23 by Small’s campaign with the city clerk listed two separate contributions from Lee, one for $500 and another for $5,000.
Under state campaign finance law, individuals, businesses and political committees may contribute up to $5,900 per candidate in city and county races in jurisdictions that have not enacted local limits. Stockton and San Joaquin County have not enacted such limits, according to the Fair Political Practices Commission.
In a May 26 Facebook post, Lee shared a video of Padilla chastising a member of the public and Mayor Christina Fugazi adjourning an August 2025 council meeting early after telling attendees, “All y’all can go out.” He also officially endorsed Small in the post.
“Tamica Small understands the real struggles families face and the importance of restoring trust, accountability and leadership that listens to the people,” Lee said.
Lee also endorsed Lynch in the same post. He provided her with a $5,500 campaign contribution on April 16, according to a Form 460 campaign finance statement Lynch’s campaign filed with the city clerk on April 22.
“Desiree Lynch brings professionalism, collaboration, fresh energy and a commitment to moving Stockton forward instead of keeping it trapped in cycles of dysfunction,” Lee said.
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: Stockton City Council campaign receives donation from actress Tiffany Haddish
Reporting by Hannah Workman, The Stockton Record / The Record
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