California’s 2026 Primary Election is here, which could mean big changes for Stockton City Council.
Stocktonia spoke with candidates running to represent three of the city’s seven council districts that are on the ballot this year about why they deserved to represent their respective districts over the competition.
Here’s what the District 1 candidates had to say.
Michele Padilla
Incumbent Michele Padilla, who has served on Stockton City Council since 2023, is a teacher with the Stockton Unified School District. She says the voices of her constituents are representative of why she should be reelected.
“I believe their feedback speaks far better than anything I could say about why I’ve earned their continued support and how my record compares to anyone seeking the office, “ Padilla said in an email to Stocktonia.
Padilla provided Stocktonia with what she described as comments from those she represents, in which she was described as “the councilhero (sic) Stockton didn’t know we needed.”
Another provided comment described appreciation for Padilla responding “to everyone’s questions with honesty and facts,” as well as always making herself available when needed and following through with what she says.
“Michele’s consistency and dependability never go unnoticed,” one comment says. “She is someone who is on top of things and others know they can rely on her without hesitation.”
Lan-Phuong Nguyen
Lan-Phuong Nguyen says on her campaign website that she moved to Stockton in 1990 as a refugee from Vietnam. She has multiple degrees and is currently working on a master’s degree in political science.
Nguyen “served as President of Student Government and the Vietnamese Student
Association at Delta College, President of Asian Pacific American Public Affairs –
San Joaquin Chapter,” her website says. “Currently, I serve on the Stockton Measure W Citizens’ Oversight Committee, and Congressman Josh Harder’s Multi-Culture Advisory Committee.”
Nguyen did not respond to Stocktonia’s emailed request for comment on why she should represent Stockton’s District 1. She has described on her campaign website that living in Stockton is a “great honor and privilege.”
“If elected, I will work to increase community safety through collaboration, trust, and shared responsibility. I am committed to protecting taxpayer dollars with transparency and disciplined stewardship,” she says. “I support local businesses and will work closely with our local colleges to foster innovations and to grow a resilient and inclusive economy. Above all, I will strive to unite our community so every resident feels connected, valued, and empowered to shape Stockton’s future.”
Tamica Small
Stockton council candidate Tamica Small describes herself as a Stockton native who was raised by a single mother and spent more than 20 years in public service as a county probation officer. She holds a bachelor of science from California State University, Stanislaus, Small says on her campaign website.
Stocktonia asked Small why she believes Stocktonians in District 1 should vote for her.
“Stocktonians should vote for me because of my proven commitment and love for this community. My record of public service as a law enforcement officer uniquely provides me with the experience we need at this time to address public safety,” Small said via email.
“Specifically, I plan on building more police substations for quicker response times and creating lasting plans for increased security.”
As for why District 1 needs new representation, Small said the incumbent, Councilmember Michele Padilla, has failed her constituents.
“State statistics prove homelessness is up since she entered the city council. She has been unanimously sanctioned by her colleagues for violating city policy,” Small said, adding that as “a law enforcement officer I am held to a higher standard of ethics and performance requirements.”
On council, I will hold myself to the same high standard that governed my career as a probation officer,” Small said. “I will work to ensure that our unhoused community are better connected to behavioral health services, job training, and life skills classes. But treatment is key and I will prioritize aid.”
“And unlike the incumbent I support police substations.”
Annette Sanchez
Council candidate for District 1 Annette Sanchez, who is a retired vice president of local nonprofit El Concilio, says she was born and raised in Stockton and has “been deeply rooted in the community” for more than 66 years, according to her Instagram account. She has also developed various community programs and served on myriad state and community boards.
“I am running because I love this city, I believe in its people and resilience, and I know that together we can build a Stockton where every neighborhood feels seen, heard, and valued,” Sanchez told Stocktonia via email.
Sanchez says she believes Stocktonians in District 1 should vote for her because she has spent entire life invested in Stockton and a career that’s prepared her “to serve with integrity, accountability, and compassion.” She has both the work and lived experience Stockton needs, Sanchez said, including understanding how government and budgets work.
“I understand the challenges our neighborhoods face because I have lived them from growing up in South Stockton, Sierra Vista, to working directly with families, youth, seniors, and small businesses for more than 23 years in nonprofit leadership roles as El Concilio and Visionary Home Builders COO,” Sanchez said. “I bring real, hands‑on experience, I have overseen multimillion‑dollar budgets, built programs that support families, expanded services for underserved communities, and strengthened organizations that thousands of residents rely on.”
“Most importantly, I believe in a city government that listens, responds, and remains accessible to the people it serves. Stockton deserves safer streets, stronger local businesses, more opportunities for youth, and leadership that shows up not just during election season, but every day.”
As for why District 1 needs new representation, Sanchez said it needs a councilmember who is accessible, engaged, and committed to fairness.” She is running because Stockton can do better and she has what it takes to help lead change, Sanchez said.
“What sets me apart is that I have always shown up for this community not just during election season, but throughout my entire life. I listen first. I collaborate. I solve problems. And I treat people with respect, regardless of their background or circumstances. I have also served on many community boards, which has given me a well rounded understanding of Stockton’s needs and the people who live here,” Sanchez said. “These roles allowed me to work closely with organizations that support families, youth, seniors, and local neighborhoods. They strengthened my knowledge of how decisions made at City Hall impact real lives, and they deepened my commitment to transparency, collaboration, and responsible leadership.”
Shelly Hollis
District 1 candidate Shelly Hollis graduated from San Joaquin Delta College and is a creative director, social media specialist and filmmaker, according to his LinkedIn profile. In a candidate forum earlier this year, Hollis also said that he was raised in District 1 and graduated from Bear Creek High School, according to The Record.
“The reason why I decided to run for political office is because our city is politically divided,” Hollis said. “I’m not here representing anybody else but myself and the people of Stockton and the people in my district.”
He also said that the biggest issue in Stockton is transparency, criticizing decisions made by past leadership, according to The Record.
“When you’re a councilmember, you have an opportunity to notify the public about everything that’s going on,” Hollis said. “When you’re talking about missing funds and misappropriation, we’ve had so many occasions where we have the wrong people taking seats in this community, and padding their pockets and not doing anything for the public.”
“We understand what city council is in Stockton, California, it’s full of corruption,” Hollis said. “It’s misled. There’s fake news sources. There’s people that run as slates. There’s people that think that they’re lifetime politicians, and they’ve used these platforms and these positions to pad their pockets and to benefit their friends and other people that have influence behind closed doors. That’s the problem.”