Just 26 years old, Tubbs will also serve as the city’s youngest mayor.
The Stockton native will also go down in history as the city’s first African-American mayor.
Tubbs is one of several people of color in politics to make history in the 2016 election, and he has been on a path to excellence since his coming-of-age in a struggling South Stockton neighborhood. A high-achieving student, he attended Stanford University after receiving a scholarship from the school.
Tubbs’ time at Stanford ― highlighted by internships with Google and the White House ― was interrupted by the 2010 killing of his cousin. But rather than being deterred from continuing his education, the incident inspired a change in Tubbs’ aspirations.
Stemming from a desire to affect change in his hometown, he began campaigning for councilman in Stockton’s 6th district just months prior to his graduation.
After four years of serving as a councilman, Tubbs is preparing to serve the city on a much wider scale, beginning with police reform. After Tuesday’s landslide victory against incumbent opponent Anthony Silva, he’s hoping to lead the city to a fruitful future.
This is the kind of news we like to hear. I love his statement:
“I am running for Mayor of Stockton because I believe deeply in the promise and potential of our city. Born and raised in South Stockton, I could have either been another statistic or worked hard to achieve success. I focused on school and received a scholarship to Stanford. After graduating and completing internships at Google and the White House, I came back to serve our community and help others have an opportunity to succeed”
More power to him. Maybe when he turns 35 he will run for potus. I would choose him. At 26 he is a mayor..
And here’s some more #BlackExcellence from this year’s election! Pictured in the top row from left to right:
Aramis Ayala, Florida’s first African American State Attorney.
Michael Tubbs, Stockton, California’s youngest and first African American mayor.
Mia McLeod, the first woman and African American elected to Senate District 22 and first woman senator from South Carolina’s Richland County.
And in the bottom: Wendy Smallwood Hazelton, the first African American judge in North Carolina’s Pitt County.
Zena Stephens, the first African American woman to be elected sheriff in Texas.
Tim Pounds, Douglas County, Georgia’s first Black sheriff.
Thank you for blazing a trail and being an inspiration to present and future Black political leaders. #Love it!
