Two political newcomers will face off in the Nov. 5 election to represent District 2 on the Stockton City Council.
Waqar Rizvi, a county technology manager and commissioner for the Stockton Planning Commission, is running against health worker Mariela Ponce. The two seek to replace Dan Wright, who is terming out after serving two terms in the district, which is located in north Stockton.
Prior to the primary election, Ponce was one of two candidates previously disqualified from entering the race. However, a San Joaquin County Superior judge last year reinstated her on the ballot.
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Despite being allowed on the ballot, Ponce’s appearance at forums during election season has been nonexistent. Still, she managed to lead primary voting with 38% in a four-person race, with Rizvi second with 24%.
Many questions remain unanswered about Ponce’s campaign, including who is running it and how it has been financed.
In the runup to the general election, some candidate signs around the city have showcased her run for City Council, but Ponce was absent in the primary forums, did not show up for the League of Women Voters forum last month and as of this week, had not confirmed her attendance at the Stockton NAACP forum.
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Rizvi, on the other hand, has been campaigning and discussing his plans.
During the League of Women Voters forum before the primary election, he told community members he thought public safety, homelessness and affordable housing were among the ongoing issues facing the city.
Despite being new to the City Council, Rizvi said he can bring solutions. For one thing, he wants the city needs to hire and train more police. He said through better staffing and community policing, authorities should become deeply involved and trusted in neighborhoods, providing safer streets.
“Our communities must come together if we’re going to truly drive down crime,” his campaign page says.
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Coming Friday: City Council District 4
Another priority is to make the economy here more competitive.
Stockton shouldn’t lose jobs to Folsom, Roseville, Lodi — or any other cities — he said.
Rizvi said much of the city’s talented workers commute to work in the Bay Area each morning, and he thinks the city needs to create partnerships, such as with higher education institutions.
While Ponce has yet to confirm whether she would be attending the NAACP forum, Rizvi has said he will be there.
Both candidates were contacted for comments as to what they wanted voters to know about them, but a response was not returned before publication.