Five of the six candidates for Stockton Mayor made their best case for deserving the job at the mayoral debate on Tuesday.
The participants shared their visions for the city and discussed issues including homelessness, public safety, local government and the community.
The candidates in attendance were businessman Shakeel Ahmad, former Councilmember Jesús Andrade, former Vice Mayor Christina Fugazi, nonprofit founder and community advocate Jessica Velez, and current District 2 Councilmember Dan Wright. San Joaquin County Supervisor Tom Patti chose not to participate.
They are running for the seat which is being vacated by Mayor Kevin Lincoln II, who is running in the primary for the U.S. Congress District 9 seat against incumbent Josh Harder.
The debate was presented by Stocktonia News Group, Central Valley TV and the San Joaquin Delta College multimedia department. The debate can be viewed here.
The Stocktonia debate was one of several candidate forums which have taken place during the primary season. On Saturday, Feb. 24 the Women League of Voters of San Joaquin County will host a forum for candidates for the Stockton City Council District 4 seat from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Stockton, located at 2737 Pacific Avenue.