A retired law enforcement officer will challenge Stockton City Council District 1 incumbent Michele Padilla in the Nov. 3 general election for the opportunity to represent the northernmost part of Stockton.
In the June 2 primary election, Padilla and Tamica Small, sister of Stockton Vice Mayor Jason Lee, advanced to the general election after defeating three other candidates.
Padilla led with 4,844 votes, or 49.11%, while Small received 2,722 votes, or 27.60%, according to the official election results.
The Record reached out to candidates running in the Nov. 3 general election to allow them the chance to provide voters with an opportunity to hear directly from the candidates ahead of Election Day.
An email was sent to Small at 1:50 p.m. on Sept.
28, but no response was received.
Padilla seeks second term on Stockton council
Padilla, an educator, took her seat on the Stockton City Council on Jan. 1, 2023. Her current term ends on Jan. 1, 2027.
In an interview, Padilla said she was seeking a second term because she truly enjoys the work she does and serving the people of Stockton.
“I enjoy helping residents solve problems, working through city-related issues, and seeing things through from beginning to end,” Padilla said. “I accomplished many of the goals I set for my first term. I now have the experience, relationships, and understanding of the process to accomplish even more in a second term.”
She said there is important work she began in her first term that she wants to still finish, such as the Safe Grounds 1-2-3 Model she proposed as chair of the Ad-Hoc Homelessness Committee.
The model is intended to address the homelessness issue within the city.
“We’ve made progress, and my goal is to have it completed and operating in early 2027,” Padilla said. “A second term would allow me to build on the work we’ve already started, continue addressing homelessness and public safety, and keep working directly with residents to improve our neighborhoods and our city.”
When asked if she was reelected how she would ensure stronger follow-through and implementation of the proposals she champions, she said, “I’m committed to finishing what we started, holding ourselves accountable, and delivering solutions our residents can actually see and feel in their neighborhoods.”
For more than a year, Stockton residents have witnessed significant disagreements among members of the city council, at times slowing the city's progress.
The Record asked Padilla how she would work with colleagues to build consensus, advance key priorities and ensure that city business moves forward effectively if reelected.
“Leadership means staying focused and respectful, especially when there are disagreements,” she said.
Padilla added, “I can’t control what others say or do, but I can control how I lead. Whether it’s on the dais, on social media, or out in the community, I believe we should represent our city with respect and professionalism.”
A tragedy that occurred last November was the Stockton mass shooting that left four children and a man dead. Thirteen others were injured.
Since the shooting, community members have sought answers from Padilla and the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, including whether arrests will be made. No arrests have been announced almost a year later.
When asked what steps she’d take to advocate for greater transparency and provide answers to the community, Padilla said her heart remains with the families who lost loved ones, those who were injured and everyone affected.
“I understand how difficult it is to continue waiting for answers,” Padilla said. "Although the location appeared to be in my city council district, it is actually in an unincorporated area of San Joaquin County.”
She said the investigation falls under the jurisdiction of the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, not the city of Stockton.
“As a city council member, I have no authority to direct the investigation or determine what information is released,” Padilla said. “What I can do is continue asking questions, advocate for updates, and make sure our community and these families are not forgotten. They deserve compassion, accountability, and answers, and I will continue to be a voice for them.”
Padilla has also drawn scrutiny during her time in office.
In 2024, the city council censured Padilla for misuse of public funds. The vote followed an ad-hoc committee investigation found that she violated a council policy when she used taxpayer funds for a community event where political candidates spoke onstage.
At the time of the censure hearing, Padilla had denied the accusations that she misused over $10,000 in discretionary funding in order to put on her annual community barbecue
During the censure meeting, Padilla claimed there was "no intention" and "no motivation" regarding the selection of the candidates who were asked to speak at the event.
"There was no ask of political activity for any specific candidate," Padilla said. "I truly feel that no taxpayer funds were misused and any suggestion otherwise is just a desperate attempt to undermine myself for political gain."
Small outlines priorities at candidate forum
Earlier this year, voters heard from Small during a forum organized by the San Joaquin County Civic Alliance, a coalition of community organizations dedicated to civic engagement and voter education across San Joaquin County.
Small said she is a lifelong Stockton resident who worked as a probation officer for 22 years. She said she decided to run for office because she wanted to continue serving her community.
Small cited public safety and the crimes she has seen as reasons for seeking office. If elected, she said public safety would be her top priority.
During the forum, Small said she believed elected officials must first educate themselves on the city's finances, review audit findings and address deficiencies.
She emphasized transparency as key to rebuilding public trust and said leaders should acknowledge and correct mistakes.
Questions that The Record wanted to ask Small leading up to the Nov. 3 general election included:
- You stated that public safety is one of your top priorities if elected. While many have pointed out the crime that occurs in Stockton, what do you feel you can proactively do if elected to reduce crime?
- In election forums earlier this year you said, “Elected officials must first educate themselves on the city's finances, review audit findings and address deficiencies.” If elected, what is your timeline to commit to educating yourself on these issues?
- In forums this year, you said transparency was key to rebuilding public trust and that leaders should acknowledge and correct mistakes. What specific mechanisms would you put in place if elected to make transparency and accountability measurable, rather than simply a commitment?
- What issues have you seen our current city council address that you feel could have been solved differently? Can you give an example of how you would handle it?
- In your specific district what issues do you believe your residents are facing and how can you provide solutions to address those issues?
As of Sept. 24, the San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters (ROV) began mailing the county voter information guides.
More election information can be found on the San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters website.
Record reporter Victoria Franco covers public safety in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at vfranco@gannett.com. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.
This article originally appeared on The Record: Padilla faces challenge from Small in Stockton City Council District 1
