Former Manteca Mayor Ben Cantu is not backing his predecessor in this year’s District 3 race to represent Manteca, Lathrop, and a part of southwest Stockton on the Board of Supervisors.

Instead, he is supporting current Lathrop Mayor Sonny Dhaliwal.

Former Manteca Mayor Steve DeBrum, who Cantu defeated in 2018 in the mayor’s race, is running for supervisor in the March 5 primary. The third candidate on the ballot is Stockton small business owner Angel Sepulveda.

If none of the three candidates earn more than 50 percent of the votes in March balloting, then the top two finishers will face a run-off election on Nov. 5.

Cantu is hosting a meet and greet lunch with Dhaliwal this Saturday, Jan. 27, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Round Table Pizza, 2120 Daniels Street in Manteca.

"On March 5 Manteca has the opportunity to elect an experienced, highly respected and dedicated public servant to represent our community and Lathrop on the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors,” Cantu said. “Sonny Dhaliwal is a local long-time resident, a successful businessman, a former Planning Commissioner, a Council member and a six consecutive term Mayor, and has served on a number of local governmental boards and commissions over a period of 21 years.”

“Because a great deal of State and Federal funds directed to our county and community is administered through the Board of Supervisors, it is important that Manteca and Lathrop residents have strong representation on the Board. I believe Mayor Sonny Dhaliwal has the governmental experience and community dedication to serve as our voice at the County.”

Cantu encourages voters to stop by Saturday and “share some great free pizza and to hear for yourself as my good friend Sonny expresses why he has devoted a good portion of his life to public service and his goals while serving as the County Supervisor for our district."

What about Cantu’s

political future?

Speaking of Ben Cantu, there are more than a few people curious whether he’ll try a comeback campaign this November for the Manteca City Council.

Mike Morowit, the current District 4 representative, did just that in 2022 after being edged in his re-election bid in 2018 by Jose Nuno who had 55 more votes.

District 4 is north of Luise Avenue.

Richard Silverman, who opted not to seek re-election in 2018, has formed an exploratory committee for a possible run this year for the District 2 seat representing Manteca south of the 120 Bypass, east of Union Road, and east of Highway 99 with the exception of The Collective age-restricted community.

Cantu resides in District 1, representing southwest Manteca.

Charlie Halford, who was last elected at in citywide balloting in 2020, resides in the district.

Halford has indicated he is seeking re-election.

Monica Mendoza’s name has been making the rounds as a possible candidate.

As for Cantu, several weeks ago he said it wasn’t likely to be a candidate.

That said there is still a long ways to go before filing ends in mid-August.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com