Jacob Naven, a small business owner, community leader, and 18-year Manteca resident, is running for mayor.
“As mayor, I will preserve Manteca’s core value, putting our families first while ensuring our city serves residents, not special interests,” said Naven in a release Tuesday.
“With transparency and fiscal accountability, we can strengthen local businesses, support families and homeowners, and create a vibrant future for the City of Manteca residents.”
In 2007, Naven and his wife Kris moved to Manteca to open their insurance agency.
Naven said building a business through the Great Recession taught him “resilience, grit, and the value of hard work.”
Nearly two decades later, that business is thriving, providing jobs and contributing to the local economy.
Naven has served as President of the Kiwanis Club, on the Chamber of Commerce Board, and as Chair of the nonprofit Give Every Child a Chance.
He has also coached youth baseball and soccer, held church leadership roles, and most recently helped coach Sierra High School’s tennis team to back-to-back Sac-Joaquin championships.
In 2020, he chaired the Doctors’ Hospital Board after six years of service.
Naven is also fluent in Spanish, having lived in Panama for two years, an experience that continues to inform his inclusive leadership style.
Naven enters the race with early support from community leaders, including:
*Kirk Waters, former Manteca Fire Chief
*Vince Hernandez, retired Manteca City Councilman
*Rick Hammarstrom, retired Manteca Unified School District teacher
*Kevin O’Neill, community sports advocate
Naven holds a bachelor’s degree and is currently earning his MBA in Business Administration from Grand Canyon University.
He and his wife have raised their three boys in Manteca, two of whom are in college.
Naven is the first to officially declare their candidacy in the citywide election that is 14 months from now in November 2026.
Naven re-emphasized Manteca’s future must be guided by fiscal accountability, family, and servant leadership.
