Stockton's Challanger Defeats Incumbent

Stockton mayoral candidate Anthony Silva, center under sign, stands with supporters Tuesday night at the University Hotel in Stockton.
CRAIG SANDERS/The Record

SILVA IS ELECTED MAYOR OF STOCKTON
- Challenger Anthony Silva has won the race for Stockton mayor over incumbent Ann Johnston late Tuesday, signaling that residents could be hungry for change in a city beset by a record number of murders and bankruptcy.

With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Silva had taken 58 percent of the votes over Johnston's 42 percent.

"Ann has always been a good cheerleader," Silva said. "It's about who voters think will put more police on the streets and address the crime issue. We are optimistic, but until more votes are counted, I am not able to declare victory."

At 11:30 p.m., the incumbent mayor still was not giving up.

"Oh no, absolutely not. Never give up," Johnston said. "We'll wait until the last ballot is counted."

Silva, 38, will have work ahead of him.

In his campaign, Silva, president of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Stockton, vowed not to take a paycheck until he balanced the city budget and restored a police presence large enough to calm the violence.

He will take the lead of the largest city in the nation to have declared bankruptcy, even before the city has successfully proved that it is eligible for Chapter 9 protection. Stockton in October surpassed the highest number of homicides in its history.

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