The Stockton City Council voted 4-2 Tuesday night to remove Stockton Vice Mayor Jason Lee from his position. Although Lee was stripped of the vice mayor title, he will continue serving as the District 6 council member.
When Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi made the motion to remove Lee as vice mayor, it was seconded by Brando Villapudua. Council members Michele Padilla, Mariela Ponce and Villapudua joined Fugazi in voting yes. Council members Michael Blower and Mario Enríquez voted no.
Before the vote, Lee announced his resignation as vice mayor, but a majority of the council rejected it. Lee then said he was catching a flight and left the council chamber.
"See y'all later," Lee said.
As council members voted on the item, Lee could be seen grabbing
his nameplate and handing it to Stockton resident Julie Dunning, who was seated in the audience.
In January 2025, the council unanimously approved Fugazi's appointment of Lee as vice mayor. His term was originally set to expire Dec. 31.
City attorney addresses legal authority
Before the vote, Fugazi asked the city attorney for his legal opinion on the removal.
Interim City Attorney Donald Larkin said whether the council has the legal authority to remove the vice mayor title is not a simple question. He said the Stockton City Charter does not directly address whether a vice mayoral appointment can be rescinded.
He added that while the charter states the position carries a two-year term, it does not specify whether the appointment may be revoked.
"It's ambiguous in that regard," he said.
Generally, courts give deference to city councils when interpreting their charters, according to Larkin. He said there is a small legal risk, if the council rescinded its appointment.
What led to the removal?
For months, Lee and Fugazi have been at odds over issues including transparency, financial oversight and council conduct. The two have been participating in mediation in an effort to resolve the ongoing conflict.
During the discussion, Fugazi said there had been a breakdown in communication.
"I apologize for that," she said. "I will say that is on me."
Fugazi said she wanted the "circus" to end. She said she had previous conversations with Lee about the agenda item and that he had reiterated the title itself was not important to him.
"He's still going to do the work he does for the city of Stockton," Fugazi said.
Fugazi said that when she first decided to appoint Lee as vice mayor, they discussed what they could accomplish together.
"I thought we were going to do a lot of those things and, ultimately, we have not done a lot of those things," she said.
During council comments, Fugazi alleged she had been threatened during a conversation about Lee's resignation. She did not identify who allegedly threatened her.
During public comment, 16 people addressed the item.
Some residents criticized the move and questioned why the item was placed on the agenda just 11 weeks before Lee's term was set to expire.
"It's no secret that Vice Mayor Lee and Mayor Fugazi have gone almost two years now in conflict," said David Sengthay, president of Stockton Democrats Together. "Is 11 more weeks that much more to ask for?"
Sengthay asked the council to answer that question truthfully and referenced the potential legal risk.
One speaker thanked Lee for proactively addressing city challenges, bringing resources to the city and asking tough questions about how taxpayer dollars were being spent.
However, not all public comments praised Lee's efforts. Some speakers criticized his behavior and the way he interacted with city staff.
Lee vows to keep serving
When given the opportunity to speak after public comment, Lee questioned why the item had been placed on the consent calendar rather than under new business and said he did not believe it had been properly posted.
Larkin said he did not know who made that decision but agreed the item ideally should have appeared under new business.
Lee then asked what time the item had been added to the agenda, whether Larkin had ever seen a vice mayor removed after being appointed, why the decision was being considered Tuesday and whether the public would receive an explanation.
Lee said the council had attempted to place the item in closed session and that a discussion occurred that he believes "went beyond the bounds of the Brown Act," California's open-meeting law.
He said he would follow up on the legal questions surrounding his removal.
Lee then told the public he did not enter public service for a title, a committee assignment or anyone's approval.
"I came to serve the people of Stockton, especially my friends and my family and my neighbors in South Stockton and Weston Ranch who entrusted me with their representation," Lee said. "No vote can take that responsibility away."
Before leaving the meeting, Lee said he was departing with the same commitment he brought into office: serving his district, protecting the public's trust, asking difficult questions and continuing to do the work.
"My purpose was not given to me by this council, and it cannot be taken away by a vote of this council," Lee said.
Record reporter Victoria Franco covers public safety in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at vfranco@gannett.com. Support local journalism by subscribing to The Stockton Record at Subscribe to The Stockton Record.
This article originally appeared on The Record: Stockton Vice Mayor Jason Lee moves to resign, council approves removal
