Padilla, Small Advance in Stockton District 1 Race
Michele Padilla and Tamica Small will face each other in the November 2026 general election for Stockton City Council District 1.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Elections
Live Poll
Do you think Stockton is heading in the right direction?
Michele Padilla and Tamica Small advanced to the November 2026 general election for Stockton City Council District 1 after the June 2 primary. Padilla led the primary with 4,844 votes, or 49.11%, while Small received 2,722 votes, or 27.60%.
Why it matters
The general election will determine who represents District 1 on the Stockton City Council, a seat where the current councilmember's term ends Jan. 1, 2027. Councilmember salary is set to rise to $40,000 annually starting Jan. 1, affecting the position's compensation.
Padilla and Small advanced from a five-candidate primary, with Padilla taking 49.11% and Small 27.60% of the vote. The councilmember salary will increase from $30,832.62 to $40,000 annually starting Jan. 1, though the general election result remains undetermined.
The players
Michele Padilla
Michele Padilla is a Stockton City Council member who took her District 1 seat in 2023 and is seeking re-election.
Tamica Small
Tamica Small is a lifelong Stockton resident and former probation officer who is running for the District 1 council seat.
The details
Padilla took her seat on the council on Jan. 1, 2023, and is seeking a second term because she enjoys the work and serving Stockton residents. Small, a lifelong Stockton resident who worked as a probation officer for 22 years, decided to run to continue serving her community.
Timeline
June 2, 2026: Primary election advanced Padilla and Small to the general election.
November 3, 2026: General election for the District 1 seat.
Jan. 1, 2027: Padilla's current term ends.
Jan. 1 (next year): Councilmember salary increases to $40,000 annually.
Political Context
The general election will be conducted through San Joaquin County's network of 27 secure ballot drop box locations and 159 polling places on Election Day. Voters in District 1 may use any of these options to participate in the race between Padilla and Small.
Stockton voters in District 1 will choose between Padilla and Small in the November 3, 2026 general election, using the county's 27 secure ballot drop boxes or Election Day polling places. The winner will take office with a councilmember salary set to rise to $40,000 annually.
The takeaway
District 1 voters have a clear choice between two candidates with different backgrounds, from Padilla's experience on the council to Small's two decades in probation work. The outcome of the November election will shape representation for the district beginning in 2027.
What happens next
The general election for Stockton City Council District 1 will be held November 3, 2026, and the salary increase to $40,000 annually takes effect Jan. 1.
Further reading
For more on the local race, see Elections coverage for Stockton.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Palm Springs Desert Sun.
Live Poll
Do you think Stockton is heading in the right direction?
