STOCKTON – Sonny Dhaliwal took his place as the new San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors District 3 representative Monday during a special session at the SJC Administration Building.
The sixth floor’s Supervisors Chambers was standing room only with a who’s who in attendance from throughout the region. Included were various elected leaders along with city, police, and fire officials from Manteca, Ripon, Lathrop, and Stockton.
Dhaliwal, who edged out former Manteca Mayor Steve DeBrum in the Nov. 5 election, had served the City of Lathrop for the better part of the past two decades – 12 years as mayor, six on the City Council, and three as a Planning Commissioner.
Board of Supervisor Chairman Paul Canepa noted Dhaliwal’s new chair “was a lot bigger than the one in Lathrop.”
It was somewhat symbolic, he said, mentioning that the challenges ahead in his new SJC District 3 post will now serve a much larger area.
District 3 covers Manteca, Lathrop, the Delta region and parts of northwest Stockton.
Monday was the first time in nearly 30 years that Manteca hasn’t been split between tow supervisorial districts.
Dhaliwal – he had his brother, Tony, administer his oath of office – along with Mario Gardea in District 1 are newcomers to the Board of Supervisors. District 5’s Robert Rickman, who is a former Mayor of Tracy, was successful in his re-election bid.
All three were sworn in to their post while also receiving a plaque from Olivia Hale of the SJC Registrar of Voters office, certifying the recent election.
Canepa, who had previously served as vice chairman, moved up to chairman during reorganization of the board while Dhaliwal was quickly inserted as vice chair.
“(The annual election of officers) is done by succession,” Canepa added.
He also noted that 2025 marks 175 years of San Joaquin County’s rich history.
“We’ll celebrate,” Canepa said.
Dhaliwal’s election to the Board of Supervisors was celebrated by those in the Punjabi and Sikh communities.
“It’s a small ethnic community,” said Mani Grewal, Stanislaus County Board of Supervisor District 4.
He praised Dhaliwal for being the “first to show us” about public service.
Bobbie Singh-Allen, who is the mayor of Elk Grove, took pride in Dhaliwal’s journey. “We’re all very proud of Sonny,” she said.
