There are two candidates running to be the next District 2 representative on the Stockton City Council: Mariela Ponce, a health care worker, and Waqar Rizvi, an information systems manager for San Joaquin County.
Ponce and Rizvi are vying to replace current District 2 Rep. Dan Wright, who is retiring after nine years representing the district, which is located in north Stockton.
In the March 5 primary, Ponce, a political newcomer, won 38% of the vote in the District 2 race, dominating Rizvi with 25% and former Mayor Anthony Silva with 22%.
Ponce’s victory came as a surprise to some, as the candidate has kept a relatively low profile during her campaign. She did not appear at any political forum where candidates had the opportunity to speak directly to voters during the election season, despite efforts by organizers to reach her. She also has no campaign website or social media presence.
However, Ponce responded to an email from The Record earlier this year requesting information about her campaign. In the email, Ponce said her campaign is focused on putting the people of Stockton first, especially the people in her district, and making sure they have an attorney in office who will work hard for them.
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When asked what her campaign stands for, Ponce expressed concern about Stockton’s future.
“Crime and homelessness are skyrocketing, and honestly, when you ask Stockton residents if they feel safe, the vast majority say no,” she stated in the email.
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Although Ponce has not publicly outlined her proposed solutions to these problems, she stated, “On a basic human level, I intend to be accessible to my constituents.”
In campaign finance documents, Ponce reported receiving a $5,500 contribution from Stockton City Council District 6 candidate Jason Lee and spending $1,744 on campaign signs. She reported no other contributions or campaign expenses.
Rizvi has spoken to voters in forums while campaigning. Rizvi, who has served on the Stockton Planning Commission since 2017, says his experience as a planning commissioner has given him insight into how the city functions.
“I believe that as a representative of District 2 on the City Council, I can bring people together,” Rizvi said in February at a political forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of San Joaquin County. “Being a fellow councilor means working together.”
Rizvi, a longtime Stockton resident, ran for the District 2 seat in 2016 but lost in the primary to Wright and businessman Steve Colangelo.
His top priorities, if elected, are “making our streets safer,” “making our government more effective” and “making our economy more competitive,” according to his campaign website.
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“We need to show visible policing in District 2, and there are options like opening a substation that was there a few years ago, near Tam O’Shanter,” Rizvi said. “Our town is big enough to have another substation right in the middle of north Stockton.”
To strengthen the local economy, Rizvi says leaders must find a way to ensure Stocktonians who commute to the Bay Area for work have employment opportunities in the city. He believes it will be necessary to work with the city manager’s office and the city’s economic development department, as well as higher education institutions such as San Joaquin Delta College and the University of the Pacific to create these opportunities.
“The employers from outside the Bay Area are bypassing us. They’re going to Sacramento, they’re going to Roseville and Folsom,” Rizvi said. “As a city council member, I will work with my fellow city council members to ensure we talk to these employers and bring them to Stockton.”
Rizvi’s campaign finance filings show he has received $69,973 in contributions and spent $78,353 on campaign expenses this calendar year.
Rizvi has been endorsed by several local leaders, including Congressman Josh Harder, San Joaquin County Superintendent of Schools Troy Brown, San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas and San Joaquin County Supervisors Paul Canepa, Steve Ding and Miguel Villapudua.
He has also been endorsed by five current Stockton City Council members: Dan Wright, Michael Blower, Brando Villapudua, Kimberly Warmsley and Susan Lenz.
As for Ponce, the 209 Times — a social media platform owned by a Stockton political consultant — has run multiple posts highlighting her campaign efforts, though it’s unclear if she has any support.
District 2 residents can choose their next representative at the ballot box on November 5.
Record reporter Hannah Workman covers news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at hworkman@recordnet.com or on Twitter @byhannahworkman. Support local news and subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.
This article originally appeared in The Record: Election 2024: Ponce vs. Rizvi for Stockton City Council District 2
