Michael Tubbs becomes California county’s first black mayor

Stockton, California, has got a new mayor in Michael Tubbs, and he's making history while he's at it as the first black mayor the town has seen.

TheGrio Staff

Nov 10, 2016

Stockton, California, has got a new mayor in Michael Tubbs, and he’s making history while he’s at it as the first black mayor the town has seen.

In speaking to his supporters after his win, Tubbs said, “It’s an invitation to believe again, I know talking to folks throughout the city, people have lost hope, in themselves, in government, in city hall. This is an invitation to believe again. Stockton, number one, thank you, number two, great job, and number three, let’s get to work.”

It’s likely that Tubbs was helped in defeating incumbent Anthony Silva because Silva was arrested for secretly taping counselors at a summer camp who were playing a game of strip poker. The counselors allegedly did not know they were being taped and were supplied with alcohol by Silva.