This is a pivotal year for several elected leaders in the area.
In particular, those currently serving on the two local school boards and the three city councils with expiring terms – not to mention any challengers – can look towards the upcoming nomination period to file nomination papers for their candidacy.
Here’s a quick look at the 2024 Election:
City Councils
The City of Manteca, City of Ripon, and City of Lathrop consolidates with San Joaquin County for the General Municipal Elections on Nov. 5.
In Manteca, Charlie Halford (District 1) and Jose Nuno (District 2) are representatives in two of the fastest growing areas – south of the 120 Bypass and west of Union Road, just south of the Union Pacific Railroad tracks – in this first-ever district-wide voting.
Manteca switched to district elections in November 2022 – only those residing in District 1 and District 2 will be able to cast their votes in the upcoming election.
The city council race in Ripon will continue to be conducted at-large. The seats up for grabs are currently occupied by Dean Uecker, Daniel de Graaf, and Gary Barton.
In Lathrop, the mayor is elected at-large on a two-year term. The two council posts are also at-large but on four-year terms.
Longtime elected leader, Mayor Sonny Dhaliwal, can opt for another two years. Minnie Diallo, who is currently serving as vice mayor, and Jennifer Torres-O’Callahan are on expiring terms. They, too, can opt for re-election.
School Districts
Elections at both Manteca Unified and Ripon Unified are conducted via Trustee Area voting.
Those with expiring terms in Manteca Unified are Eric Duncan (Trustee Area 1), Melanie Green (Trustee Area 3), and Marisella Guerro (Trustee Area 7).
Duncan, who was first elected to the school board in 2016, represents the Weston Ranch area.
Greene’s Area 3 includes a large section east of Highway 99, consisting of schools such as New Haven, Joshua Cowell, Woodward, and Calla High.
Guerro represents the area west of Manteca – Lathrop Elementary, Mossdale Elementary, and be.TECH Academies are among the schools in Area 7.
At Ripon Unified, board President Caroline Hutto (Area 4) and Christina Orlando (Area 5) are on expiring terms.
Hutto represents most of the area south of West Ripon Road, anchored by Weston Elementary School.
Orlando’s Area 5 is located east of Jack Tone Road – a portion of that covers Ripona Elementary School – and is bounded by a large section north of the Stanislaus River.