Two candidates are running to be the next District 6 representative on the Stockton City Council: Jason Lee, a businessman, and Kimberly Warmsley, a social worker and the current vice mayor.
Lee is hoping to unseat Warmsley, who is wrapping up her first four-year term representing the south Stockton district on the city council.
In the March 5 primary election, Lee emerged as the top vote-getter with 41.69% of the vote. Warmsley was the runner-up with 30.48% of the vote, beating out financial advisor Satnam Singh, community volunteer Zoyla Moreno, businessman Ralph Lee White, and pastor Ronnie C. Murray, Sr.
At a recent political forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of San Joaquin County, Lee said he is running for city council because he is dissatisfied with the leadership in south Stockton and is “tired of excuses.”
“Growing up in south Stockton, I just knew that my friends were there (and) my grandma was there. We had good times and then we had funerals,” Lee said. “Unfortunately, until I left south Stockton and saw the world, I didn’t really understand how south Stockton has been disrespected for decades … not saying that there hasn’t been some work, but there hasn’t been enough.”