Right before the Antioch City Council voted last month on the city’s rent stabilization ordinance, Mayor Lamar Thorpe called out “candidates,” “individuals,” and “policy makers calling themselves big-hearted … who do the most cold-blooded things.”
“Voting against this is that,” said Thorpe, who previously reminded the public an election was coming when taking up the matter.
District 4 councilmember Lori Ogorchock was one of two council policy makers voting against the ordinance, along with Vice Mayor Michael Barbanica. Ogorchock also publicly called for Thorpe’s resignation after his DUI arrest and sexual harassment claims aimed at him went public earlier this year.
District realignment shifts Ogorchock from District 3 to District 4, where she will take on fellow councilmember Monica Wilson and challengers Shawn Pickett and Sandra White.
Monica Wilson
On her campaign site, incumbent Wilson touts her record on helping crack down on human trafficking, police reform, the creation of a mental health crisis response team, co-authorship of the sales tax Measure W in 2018, and supporting a ban on natural gas and oil drilling in Antioch.
Wilson supported building shelters, hiring a homeless outreach coordinator, and purchasing a motel to convert to transitional housing.
She has advocated for youth programs and youth involvement on city boards and commissions. Wilson also serves as chair of the Delta Diablo Sanitation District.
Lori Ogorchock
Ogorchock says on her campaign site that public safety is her top priority. She says she wants to work with social services for those suffering from homelessness, addiction, and mental health issues. She supports the mission of the Antioch Police Department with an emphasis on transparency and accountability and wants more training for police.
The real estate agent says she supports small businesses “by cutting the bureaucratic red tape, investing in business development, and incentivizing local recruitment.”
Shawn Pickett
Pickett is a retired Richmond police lieutenant. An Antioch resident since 1993, he says on his website he wants to dig “deep into policy and economics” and will be a councilperson with “relatable leadership skills to build trustworthy relationships with all members of our community.”
He says Antioch needs a councilperson who “recognizes when a police department needs to adjust and adapt to better serve the community. We need a councilperson who returns phone calls and emails.”
Pickett wants to emphasize community safety partnerships to help reduce violent crimes and would help establish a city beautification plan with street sweeping services, to include a District 4 code enforcement officer with abatement support. He supports fiscal responsibility in schools and curriculum that enhances student success, academic support programs, mentoring, and tutoring.
He also says he supports smart development, affordable housing options to attract “a diverse excellent workforce, competitive salaries, fair working conditions, and options for housing that allows all residents to live and thrive in Antioch.”
Sandra White
White said she is the chairperson of Antioch’s Police Crime Prevention Commission.
In her campaign announcement, White said she has a master’s degree in counseling psychology and a background in business and has “experience working for both a profit and nonprofit organizations in technology, mental health, and social services.”
White said she wants to “dive into the city budget and have comprehensive discussions with city staff regarding initiatives that are important to all of us.”
She said those issues include safety, infrastructure, community services, business development, and allocation of city funds.
Contra Costa voters can find more information about the process on the county’s website. The California Secretary of State’s office has details on how to register to vote in California.
Those registering or re-registering fewer than 15 days before an election need to complete the same day voter registration process and request a ballot in person at their county elections office or polling location.
People can contact the Contra Costa County Elections Office at 925-335-7800 or by email, and can check if they are already registered to vote.