Local candidates are lining up for a run in March primary

Nov. 30—STOCKTON — The nomination period to file candidacy papers for the March primary opened a little more than two weeks ago, and six San Joaquin County residents have already thrown their hat in the ring.

Two incumbents — Rep. Josh Harder, D-Stockton, and Assemblyman Heath Flora, R-Ripon — will be running to retain their respective seats.

It will be the second time both men will vie for their districts since boundaries were redrawn by the California Citizens Redistricting Commission in 2021.

During the 2022 March primary elections, Harder faced a crowded field of seven candidates for the 9th Congressional District seat that included San Joaquin County Supervisor Tom Patti and Clements resident Jim Shoemaker, former California Republican Assembly vice president and San Joaquin chapter president.

Issues Harder is addressing in this campaign include improving the cost of living for families; providing affordable health care for residents; job creation; serving military veterans; declaring a homeless crisis; and protecting the region's water supply, among others.

"The valley has been my family's home for generations, and now my wife and I have a daughter of our own," he said. "For too long the valley has been left behind by politicians. I'm running to change that. We have to protect our water, bring costs down, and keep our communities safe."

For more information, visit www.harderforcongress.com.

As of Nov. 29, Harder has three challengers for his seat, including Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln.

Currently serving his first term as Stockton's mayor, Lincoln said on his campaign website that in the last four years, the city has emerged from COVID, attracted thousands of new small businesses, balanced budgets, invested in youth, reduced violent crime and made real progress on homelessness.

He said he's running to build on that progress and fight for change that puts the valley's interests first.

"Washington's broken politics are making it harder to move forward," he said. "Inflationary spending is raising the cost of groceries, gas, and housing for valley families. Our stagnant economy is leaving people behind, worsening our homeless crisis. Both parties are to blame, and I refuse to let Washington neglect our valley any longer."

For more information, visit kevinlincolnforcongress.com.

Stockton resident John McBride is a newcomer to politics who on his campaign website said California is in "desperate need" of conservative representation.

Born in Meriden, Conn., McBride is an athletic performance coach, bodybuilding coach and nutrition advisor.

"As a concerned American and a parent I believe that our nation's future and our children's and their generation's future is at risk and therefore I am running for Congress to build a stronger America," he said.

For more information, visit johnmcbrideforcongress.org.

Tracy resident Khalid Jeffrey Jafri, who ran against Harder in the 2022 primary, has submitted nomination papers to run for the 9th District seat once again.

Jafri ran for office in 2012, when he won the primary for the state assembly's 13th District. However, he lost the general election to Susan Talamantes Eggman.

A farmer, engineer and businessman, Jafri said on his campaign website that he will fight to improve immigration policy, lower taxes, job creation and improved health care, among other issues.

"I was brought up to believe that one person, with courage and hard work can make a difference in this world," he said. "My commitment to stand up to powerful special interests and buck political pressure and work hard for wellness and strengthen of families."

Jafri has also filed candidacy papers to run for the California State Senate's 5th District seat, currently held by the termed-out Eggman.

Shoemaker is also running for Eggman's seat, as is Stockton resident Edith Villapudua.

On his campaign website, Shoemaker said he has always fought for, and will continue to fight for issues such as economic growth and deregulation; protecting the 2nd Amendment; supporting veterans; limited government; preserving family values; and water preservation, among others.

He said the current state of the district and the direction in which it is headed troubles him.

"Right now in Sacramento, there are bills in the Senate taking aim at parental rights, propping up failing schools, prioritizing criminals over business owners, and increasing spending for bloated pet projects paid for with your dollar," he said. "The average working citizen is paying more and more with no relief in sight under the current majority rule in California. Our freedoms, our families, our economy, and our leadership has been derailed. It is time we take back District 5 and move forward."

For more information, visit www.shoemaker4senate.com.

A Realtor, Villapudua is married to Assemblyman Carlos Villapudua, who represents the 13th District in that legislative body.

Issues she will run on include addressing the cost of living in the region and affordable housing; protecting small business and the economy; reducing crime; and holding the government accountable, among others.

"I always have had a passion for helping people and my work in the community over the years has been the reason I wake up and do what I do everyday," she stated on her campaign website. "I'm working extremely hard talking to voters in my district every day — knocking on doors, making phone calls, and meeting with them. My lived experiences have inspired me to lead in the community and support our most vulnerable populations including our seniors, immigrants, small business owners, young people, mothers and families."

For more information, visit edithforstatesenate.com.

Flora has represented Lodi, Lockeford and Ripon his entire political career, and has run on issues including water preservation, wildfire protection and improving the economy.

"It's an honor to represent our communities in the state Assembly," he said on his campaign website. "I have fought for better management of our forests, stood up for small businesses, and worked to educate other assembly members on the challenges farmers face and the importance of agriculture to California's economy."

For more information, visit heathflora.com.

Flora's only opponent as of Nov. 29 is Lodi resident Tami Nobriga. No contact information could be found for Nobriga, and none was provided to the San Joaquin County Registrar of Voter's Office for its current candidate list.