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2026 Central Valley Endorsements
The individuals interviewed by the PAC committee have our support.
Josh Harder for Congress District 9
Josh Harder understands that his primary responsibility is to advocate for everyday families. He first ran for office to stand up against politicians who were threatening to take away his brother’s healthcare. Today, Josh proudly represents California's 9th Congressional District, which includes San Joaquin County and parts of Stanislaus and Contra Costa counties.
Josh's family has a deep-rooted history in San Joaquin County, having lived there for five generations. His great-great-grandfather joined a wagon train in search of gold but settled down just short of his destination to start a peach farm in Manteca. Growing up in the community, Josh witnessed how hardworking people are often overlooked by politicians in Washington and Sacramento. He is dedicated to making their voices heard by working to lower the costs of gas and housing, enhance community safety, and protect local water resources. This mission is personal for Josh; he wants his daughters, Lillian and Karina, to grow up in a safe community while receiving a world-class education.
Josh serves as a member of the influential Appropriations Committee, which oversees the federal budget. He is the first Democratic member of Congress from the Central Valley to serve on this committee in almost 50 years, and he uses his position to advocate for increased federal funding for water infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, veterans, and other local priorities.
Before entering public service, Josh began his career in the private sector, focusing on job creation and business growth. After earning a degree in public policy and business, he taught business at a local junior college.
Josh lives in Tracy with his wife, Pam, and their daughters, Lillian and Karina.
Matthew Adams, for CA Assembly District 9
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Matthew, a lifelong resident of Woodbridge, is running for the District 9 Assembly seat to ensure our communities have a representative who advocates for them, not corporate interests.
As an educator and community organizer, Matthew has dedicated his career to uplifting others and addressing the challenges we face. He has taught middle and high school students in various subjects, gaining insights into what today’s students and educators need. His experience spans California, from the Bay Area to the Central Valley.
Matthew has collaborated with community organizations to make an impact. As a Regional Field Organizer for Equality California, he led voter registration campaigns and trained volunteers, helping amplify the voices of marginalized communities. His work as a Volunteer Services Coordinator for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento focused on managing volunteers and outreach efforts to support the homeless.
A passionate advocate, Matthew uses performance and storytelling to connect with others. His role with ComedySportz Sacramento allowed him to mentor students in improvisation, teamwork, and confidence.
Matthew has a proven record as a community organizer, working on campaigns throughout the state to ensure that all voices are heard. This includes an internship with former Assemblymember Jim Cooper, where he supported community events and constituent services.
Matthew envisions a thriving Central Valley where families can find good jobs, students receive quality education, and local communities are prioritized. He is proud to call Woodbridge home and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Government from California State University, Sacramento. He remains committed to empowering others and creating inclusive spaces.
Tamica Small
City of Stockton, District 1
Lifetime Stockton Native, public servant & educator
Tamica Small is a lifetime Stockton native, devoted wife, and proud mother of three who has dedicated her life to serving the community she calls home. Raised by a single mother on the rough streets of Stockton, Tamica learned early the values of hard work, faith, resilience, and standing up for others. Those experiences shaped her deep commitment to protecting families and improving opportunities for the next generation.
Tamica spent more than 20 years in public service as a county probation officer, working on the front lines of the criminal justice system. In that role, she helped hold offenders accountable while working alongside community leaders to develop programs that reduce recidivism and help individuals turn their lives around. Never afraid to confront danger in our communities, Tamica walked some of the region’s toughest neighborhoods to protect families and help create safer neighborhoods.
Her years in law enforcement gave her firsthand insight into the challenges Stockton faces around crime, prevention, and rehabilitation. Inspired to continue her service in a new way, Tamica now works as a substitute teacher in local schools, where she encourages young people to believe in their futures and make positive choices.
Tamica holds a Bachelor of Science degree from California State University, Stanislaus. A woman of faith, she enjoys cooking, traveling with her family, and spending time with friends and her two beloved fur babies, Gizmo and Victory.
Now, Tamica Small is running for Stockton City Council to bring her real-world experience and lifelong commitment to service to City Hall. She believes Stockton deserves leadership focused on safer streets, stronger families, and real solutions that help the entire community thrive.
Simply put, Tamica Small has spent her life serving people — and she’s ready to continue that service for Stockton.
Donald Donaire
Stockton USD Trustee, Area 5
Running again as the Area 5 Trustee (School Board Member) for Stockton Unified School District on Nov 3rd 2026, Election Day.
Donald served as an AmeriCorps member through Changeist in Stockton in 2019-2020. They have more than a decade of experience in student and community organizing, youth leadership development, and policy advocacy.
"I'm running for re-election because I believe every student deserves the opportunity to succeed and every family deserves strong, accountable leadership. Your contribution helps us connect with voters, engage with our community, and continue building a grassroots campaign focused on putting students first. Every donation, no matter the amount, makes a meaningful difference, and I am truly grateful for your support.
-Donald Donaire"
Beckett Kelly
Lincoln USD Trustee, Area 3
Beckett Kelly is a Lincoln Unified parent, longtime Stockton resident, and community advocate who has spent years working alongside families to make our schools stronger. He works as Chief of Staff to Supervisor Sonny Dhaliwal, fighting every day to improve our county. Beckett knows firsthand what our students need to thrive, and as your Lincoln Unified School Board Trustee, he will continue that fight for the betterment of all our families.
Running for the Lincoln Unified School District Board, Beckett brings a clear vision: accountable leadership, investment in teachers, and an unwavering commitment to every child's success—regardless of ZIP code or background. He is excited to continue his service and give back to the community as your next Lincoln Unified School Board Trustee.
Sofia Colon
Stockton USD Trustee, Area 6
Sofia Colón, born and raised in Stockton, CA, is a wife and a mother. She earned a BS in Health Policy and Administration with a minor in Finance and an MS in Health Informatics Data Analytics from George Mason University. Sofia is a leader in the health information departments at Kaiser Permanente, where she has managed projects that streamline workflows and increase quality. She is the Founder and Co-Circle Leader of Latinas in Healthcare, a Lean In Circle, aiming to increase Latina representation in healthcare leadership.
Mary Elizabeth
Division 7, Stockton East Water District
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Scientist dedicated to environmental justice, working in San Joaquin County, advocating to reduce community harms and ensure Clean Air and Clean Water for ALL.
Stocktonian at birth and a worker, experienced with sacrifice to achieve my goals,
and seeking to serve as District 5 Council Member. I moved around a lot for my science education:
B.S. IU-Bloomington, M.S. and Teaching Credentials UOP, and M.S. UC-Davis. As a worker, I
have done many different jobs: pig pen cleaner, bank teller, restaurant server, quality control: food
and wood processing chemist, water resources scientist, regulatory agent, and science teacher. My
work experiences taught service values, being true and trustworthy, and treating people kindly with
respect. I became an R.E.H.S., after being introduced to industrial pollution, to make a positive
environmental difference. I became involved in politics to make a positive difference by improving
access to public information, increasing mitigation of environmental impacts, and being a voice for
accountability. My efforts to reduce tobacco and alcohol license over-concentration near schools
have achieved some success. Despite competing interests in Stockton, I believe most want positive,
tangible changes that improve the quality of life for all residents. I want to represent my District to
lead the way with more open outreach discussions, transparent money handling with contract
accountability, to improve the well-being of our residents. www.marric.us
Dan Tavares-Arriola
City of Tracy Mayor
Dan Arriola was first elected to the Tracy City Council in 2018 and then re-elected in 2022. He also works as a Deputy District Attorney for San Joaquin County. At 29 years old, he became the first Millennial Councilmember, as well as the first openly LGBTQ elected official in the history of the City of Tracy.
Councilmember Arriola was raised in the City of Tracy, and he is a proud graduate of West High School (Class of 2007). He graduated as the Political Science Valedictorian of UCLA in 2011 and as the Student Body President of USC Law School in 2014.
Arriola is very active in the community and has served on a number of local boards and commissions. He founded the Young Professionals of Tracy and has also served on the Board of Directors for the Tracy Chamber of Commerce, the Tracy Youth Advisory Commission, and the One.TLC School for Homeless Children. He often collaborates with organizations throughout the community, including the Tracy High Bulldog Project, the Kimball High Jaguar Project, and West High Leadership.
Arriola was first elected to office as a Tracy School Board Trustee in 2016, where he advocated for youth in the community, including organizing the first-ever student town hall in the city. As a Trustee, he advocated for issues including student engagement, school safety, diversity and equity rights, the reformation of student disciplinary action, and reducing expulsion rates for at-risk youth.
Councilmember Arriola also served as the first-ever community prosecutor in San Joaquin County. As the “Neighborhood District Attorney,” Arriola implemented innovative strategies to address community concerns including homelessness, human trafficking, neighborhood nuisances, school truancy, and other quality-of-life issues.
As a Councilmember, Arriola has championed various policy initiatives including: establishing the Homelessness Strategic Plan and constructing the first-ever Tracy Emergency Homeless Shelter; officially recognizing LGBTQ Pride Month and raising the Pride Flag for the first-time ever; balancing the city budget for the first time in nearly a decade; legalizing commercial cannabis; approving the first affordable housing development in over 20 years; supporting the future ValleyLink light rail system to connect to BART; passing a code of ethics for local elected officials; joining EBCE to procure city-wide green renewable energy; introducing the “Tracy Equity & Empowerment Initiative” to address social equity and justice reform in the City of Tracy; and passing a measure which lowered taxes on 75% of local businesses.
Arriola has also received national recognition on the “40 Best LGBT Lawyers Under 40” List by the National LGBT Bar Association; on the Young Elected Officials “35 Under 35” List by the YEO Network; and as a “Victory Empowerment Fellow” by the International LGBTQ Victory Institute.
Dan Arriola looks forward to continuing to support our community as Mayor!
Jeff Stroh
Lodi USD Trustee, Area 5
Stroh spent more than 30 years in the classroom, teaching English as a second language, computer classes, at-risk programs, business math, and social studies before retiring in 2018.
A third-generation educator, Stroh has lived in Lodi for 50 years. Both of his parents were teachers with the district, as were his sister and sister-in-law. His wife, Katy, is employed by the San Joaquin County Office of Education.
Ametrius V. Sidney
Tracy City Council - District 3
After nearly three decades of answering the call to serve communities, she is ready to answer a new call — serving the residents of District 3.
Ametrius has spent her career at the intersection of public safety, emergency preparedness, and government operations. She knows how city systems work, what it takes to lead under pressure, and how to get things done for the people who depend on those systems every day.
Now she's bringing that experience home to Tracy — to the neighborhoods she lives in, the streets she drives, and the community she is proud to call hers.