Recent college grad becomes youngest councilman in Stockton history

FRESNO — Michael Tubbs, 22, a Stanford grad who began his Stockton City
Council campaign while still in school, has won the seat, becoming the youngest
council member in the city’s history.

“In my victory speech I told them thanks to y’all, we beat the odds again.
But now don’t let me look bad to those people who said, ‘How can he have the
nerve to think a 22-year-old can change things?’ ” Tubbs said Wednesday
morning.

Tubbs, who grew up on the south side of Stockton
with a single mother and a father in prison, was endorsed by Oprah
Winfrey — the only other candidates she ever endorsed were Barack
Obama and Cory Booker, mayor of Newark, N.J. Tubbs won 60% of a citywide
vote.

In June, Stockton became the biggest U.S. city to file for bankruptcy
protection. There have been 62 homicides this year, surpassing the city’s record
of 58 in 2011.

“We can change Stockton,” Tubbs said. “I never said I was going to do it by
myself. But I can be the catalyst. I can bring ideas and the research. I have a
sense of hope.”

Janet Gedigian, who has a daughter Tubbs’ age, campaigned for him. He won her
support by returning to Stockton.

“He had so many opportunities in front of him,” she said. “But we need him
here, and he came home.”

Source: L.A. Times