Waqar Rizvi has surpassed opponent Anthony Silva in second place in the race for Stockton City Council District 2, according to the latest results from last week’s election, and will move onto a runoff election in November if the outcome does not change.
Mariela Ponce, a newcomer to politics, appears to be the first candidate heading to the runoff, but who will be joining her has yet to be determined.
Rizvi was at 24.38 percent with 908 votes while Silva followed behind at 812 votes with 21.80 percent as of the latest results released Monday. Ponce remains in first place with 1,461 votes and 39.23 percent.
The race between Silva and Rizvi has been close with both opponents taking turns in second place as results came in from the March 5 primary election. On Friday, Silva had held second place with only two votes separating him from Rizvi.
Stockton’s election process states that to be elected as councilmember, a candidate nominated from a council district must receive the majority of votes cast by voters of that district in the primary election. If no candidate receives a majority, a runoff will be held in the November general election.
During election season, Ponce had a few signs throughout Stockton but did not show up to any election forums to talk to voters and introduce herself.
Silva and Rizvi, both familiar with running in elections, both appeared at the forums and told voters what changes they would implement if elected.
Silva served as mayor for the city from 2013-17 but came into problems with the law and was charged with committing financial crimes, money laundering, embezzlement by a public officer and grand theft.
Ultimately, Silva pleaded guilty to one felony charge of conflict of interest as part of a plea deal. San Joaquin County Superior Court Judge Charlotte Orcutt sentenced him to 90 days in county jail and ordered him to pay $19,783.69 in restitution.
Rizvi is on Stockton’s planning commission and in 2016 ran for a seat on the City Council but lost.
According to the county registrar of voters, election officials have to certify the official final results within 30 days of the election.
Victoria Franco is a reporter based in Stockton covering San Joaquin County for Bay City News Foundation and its nonprofit news site Local News Matters. She is a Report for America corps member.
