11) Stockton Mayor’s Race
Controversial Stockton Mayor Anthony Silva, who has ridden the city’s emergence from bankruptcy, faces an unlikely challenge in 26 year-old Michael Tubbs. Will Silva be able to shake off embarrassing (and potentially career threatening) incidents and win a second term against his youthful, Stanford-educated opponent?
Who are we watching?
Mayoral Candidates:
Anthony Silva, Mayor of Stockton
Michael Tubbs, city council member
The Numbers
Total Voters: 127,780 (25% Rep., 54% Dem, 20% Indep.)
Racial Make-up: 29% Latino, 5% African American, 13% Asian)
Why are we watching?
In 2012, the City of Stockton declared bankruptcy due to a $26 million deficit in the annual budget and more than $700 million in future debt to public pensions. At the time, it was the largest city in the history of the U.S. to declare Chapter 9. (WSJ) The bankruptcy was supported by then-Mayor Ann Johnston and it was promptly used by her opponent in that year’s mayoral race, Anthony Silva, as an example of her inability to manage the city’s finances. Despite leading Silva 40.8% to 21.4% in the run-off (shortly before the bankruptcy was declared), Johnston lost to Silva in the general in a staggering turn of events, 58% to 42%. (Recordnet)
Since winning the mayor’s seat on the council, Silva has pushed for new business development to increase revenue to the city in the form of an airport expansion and upgrades to the city’s river walk area. He also promoted, and helped to win approval of, an increase in sales taxes to fund additional law enforcement personnel. In this year’s race Silva has used the issue of public safety as his primary appeal to voters. In the aftermath of the 2012 bankruptcy, violent crime rates soared as the city was forced to cut funding to the police department. At one point, Stockton was listed as the eighth most violent city in the country. (Forbes) Silva points to the fact the city registered its lowest crime rate since 2000 last year as proof of his positive impact. Recently, Silva used his bully pulpit to “declare war on active gang members” after a 3 year-old girl was murdered in a crossfire. (Recordnet) Silva is also promoting improved after-school programs to help youth avoid the gang culture and has advocated for the conversion of abandoned warehouses into shelters for the homeless. (KCRA)
While Silva attempts to ride the city’s recovery to a second term in office, he has had trouble avoiding potentially career-threatening controversy that dates back before his election. In 2005, while a water polo coach at a local school, Silva was accused of secretly videotaping underage girls while they changed clothing. In 2011, a woman accused him of sexual assault. In 2015, he faced scrutiny over his decision to delay reporting the theft of two guns he owned, one of which was involved in the murder of a 13 year-old boy. In August of this year, an FBI investigation led to Silva’s arrest on charges that he contributed to the delinquency of a minor by furnishing a 16 year-old boy alcohol. In addition, authorities found a cell phone video of a game of strip poker involving at least one minor. During the aftermath of these most recent allegations, many citizens, including the Stockton Police Officer’s Association, called for Silva to resign his post. "He is no longer able to effectively represent or govern the City of Stockton. This isn't just a black eye, this is a complete knock-out body blow to the City of Stockton," Lee Neves, a spokesman for the police union told local TV station Fox 40. In all these incidents, charges have been either not filed, dropped, or outright denied. Despite all of this, a second Silva term remains a possibility. (Fox 40)
Facing off against Silva is a man who boasts a seemingly rags-to-riches story. Michael Tubbs, a native of south Stockton, is a 26 year-old Stanford graduate who was first elected to the city council at the tender age of 23 and considers himself a local success story. In his brief time on the council, Mr. Tubbs has chaired the Audit Committee and vice-chaired the Legislative Committee. He has also founded several organizations devoted to improving the community, particularly for minority citizens, such as the Reinvent Stockton Coalition and the Summer Success and Leadership Academy at the University of the Pacific. Mr. Tubbs is focusing his campaign on the issues of public safety, economic development and opportunities for local youth. He has advocated for attracting investors into an innovation fund that would invest in local business. On the issue of public safety and crime, Mr. Tubbs is pushing for more community policing and data-driven use of existing law enforcement personnel. He has also advocated for a partnership between police, parks, and non-profits to create after school and nighttime activities for local kids. (Michael Tubbs)
Signs are pointing to a potential changing of the guard in the mayor’s seat. In June’s run-off election, Tubbs bested Silva 33.6% to 26%. In addition, there is a growing fundraising gap between the two that may signal a shift in voter sentiment. For the period between July 1 and September 24, Tubbs collected more than $79,000 in contributions while Silva received a single contribution of $1,500 from the Plumbers & Pipefitter Union. Coincidently, Tubbs also received a donation from the Plumbers & Pipefitter for $2,000. (Recordnet) In response to Silva’s various scandals, Tubbs has remained above the fray, choosing to focus on his ideas to improve Stockton. Responding to the latest Silva arrest, Tubbs told Fox 40: “ Let’s get to work. We’re so much more than controversies....so much more than strife.”
While Silva’s run off and fundraising numbers don’t look promising, as he has shown in the past, they are not necessarily a sure indication of impending defeat. Despite all the bad press, there remains a sizable, vocal contingent of support for Mr. Silva. With the general election turnout sure to be significantly higher than June’s run-off, a Silva victory would not be an absolute shock. Regardless of what transpires in November Mr. Tubbs has shown himself to be a positive voice within this struggling community and a name to watch in the future.