ELECTION NIGHT LEFT STOCKTON WITH EARLY LEADERS in all three City Council races, but not many final answers.
The first results from Tuesday’s statewide primary showed the city’s three incumbents ahead in Districts 1, 3 and 5. But with no additional results expected from the San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters until Friday, the political picture remains incomplete, especially in races where candidates are below the 50% threshold needed to avoid a November runoff.
District 1 — Padilla clings to 50% threshold
As of the semi-final official results posted early Wednesday, District 1 Councilmember Michele Padilla was the only Stockton council candidate above that line, holding 51.01% of the vote. Tamica Small followed with 27.07%, while Annette Sanchez, Lan Nguyen and Shelly B. Hollis trailed behind.
That makes District 1 the closest thing to a decisive early result, but only barely. Padilla, a Stockton Unified School District teacher who has served on the council since 2023, framed her campaign around constituent responsiveness and follow-through, pointing to comments from residents who described her as dependable and available.
Padilla said she remained anxious because more ballots still needed to be counted, but was encouraged by the early results.
“I am just very humbled and honored about the trust that the voters of District 1 have placed in me,” Padilla said. “I’m just very grateful for every neighbor, every supporter who really believed in the work that I have provided over the last three years.”
If the race moves to a November runoff, Padilla said the months-long gap between the primary and general election would be difficult, but that she would continue focusing on her work on the council.
“I will just continue to provide leadership and work to my district as I did over the past three years,” Padilla said. “I will stay focused on the people that I serve. I really owe this election to the constituents.”
Small, a Stockton native and former county probation officer, ran as a public safety-focused challenger, arguing that her law enforcement background made her better suited to address crime, homelessness and police response times. Small also received attention late in the race after actress Tiffany Haddish donated $5,900 to support her campaign.
Small did not respond to a request for comment by press time and had not issued a public statement on the early results as of Wednesday afternoon.
District 3 — Blower leads Toccoli
District 3 offered a different kind of test. Councilmember Michael Blower led with 45.65%, while Jessica Toccoli followed with 38.67%. Joey Veltri had 10.43% and Stefanie Alfaro had 5.25%.
The early results put Blower ahead, but not safely past the runoff line. Blower, a realtor and longtime Stockton civic figure who has served on the council since 2023, ran on experience and a record of district projects, including improvements at Swenson Park, pickleball courts at Grupe Park and funding for a fire truck company at Firehouse Seven.
Toccoli, a special needs teacher and fifth-generation Stocktonian, presented herself as a nonpolitician who would be more accessible to residents and working families. Her campaign also drew scrutiny over her remaining largely absent in commenting to media and candidate forums, as well as mailers and messaging connected to Blower’s vote to fly the Pride flag over Stockton City Hall.
Blower said he was encouraged to be leading, but disappointed that the first results did not put him above the 50% threshold needed to avoid a runoff.
“I know it’s just the first batch of votes, and I am a little disappointed, because of course, I’d love to get this thing wrapped up in the primary,” Blower said. “But if I have to go on to November, so be it. I’m ready to keep campaigning if I need to.”
He would continue making his case to voters, Blower said.
“… I’d love to get this thing wrapped up in the primary. But if I have to go on to November, so be it. I’m ready to keep campaigning if I need to.”
District 3 Councilmember Michael Blower
“I’ve done a lot for my district,” Blower said. “As people see my record and see the amount of accomplishments I’ve done, particularly representing our district and bringing resources to our district, that will help bring people over and put me over the top.”
As he waits for the next results update, Blower said he is returning to his regular schedule.
“Just back to work, doing my normal day to day,” Blower said. “I just went to my rotary meeting, and life is normal.”
Vice Mayor Jason Lee, who attended Blower’s gathering, said the two councilmembers had built a working relationship despite not always agreeing on policy.
“When I came in, I intentionally wanted to hate him,” Lee said. “I thought he was going to be opposition to progress.”
Instead, Lee said Blower was “really nice, really professional, always fair, consistent and available.”
Toccoli did not respond to a request for comment by press time and had not issued a public statement on the early results as of Wednesday afternoon.
District 5 — Villapudua and Lynch eye runoff
District 5 looked most likely to continue into November. Councilmember Brando Villapudua led the crowded field Wednesday with 35.62%, followed by Desiree Lynch at 28.86%. Mary Elizabeth, Max Beas and Ruben Harper trailed behind them.
Villapudua campaigned on experience, relationships and showing up for District 5, pointing to public safety, parks, community centers, blight, illegal dumping and infrastructure as priorities.
Lynch, a nurse, ran as a challenger focused on homelessness, crime and accountability, arguing that the district needed new leadership and “real solutions” after years of frustration.
Villapudua, speaking earlier in the night, said he felt his record on parks, community centers and neighborhood events had carried his campaign.
“I told my community what I was going to do,” Villapudua said. “I was big in parks and community centers, cleanups — and I’ve done it.”
Lynch said the early results showed District 5 voters are “ready for change,” especially in a race against an incumbent.
“For someone running against an incumbent, these early results are incredibly encouraging,” Lynch said. “They show that voters are paying attention, asking tough questions, and looking for leadership that is accountable and focused on results.”
If the race moves to November, Lynch said she plans to continue knocking on doors and meeting with residents, neighborhood groups, small business owners and community organizations.
“We’ll continue sharing our vision for safer neighborhoods, cleaner streets, greater accountability at City Hall, and more economic opportunities for working families,” Lynch said.
Election called ‘well-run and orderly’
Countywide turnout was listed at 18.1% in early results, with 74,248 ballots counted out of 410,058 registered voters. But Registrar of Voters Olivia Hale said the final turnout rate is expected to rise as more ballots are processed.
Hale said the first count included vote-by-mail ballots received through Saturday and early voting. Ballots that arrived Monday and Tuesday, along with Election Day ballots, provisional ballots and conditional voter registration ballots, still must be processed through the official canvass.
In a statement Tuesday night, Hale said more than 81,000 vote-by-mail ballots had been cast and about 15,000 voters cast ballots in person by 8 p.m. She described Election Day as “well-run and orderly” and said the county’s focus now shifts to ensuring every eligible vote is counted accurately.
That means Stockton’s first election-night story is not who won, but who is positioned best as the count continues.
For Padilla, the question is whether her narrow majority holds or Small comes through. For Blower, it is whether his lead grows enough to avoid a November fight against Toccoli. For Villapudua and Lynch, the early numbers point toward a longer campaign.
The next results update is expected Friday.
This story originally appeared in Stocktonia.
