Stockton, CA – At its annual reorganizational meeting this morning, the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors unanimously elected Supervisor Sonny Dhaliwal of District Three to serve as Chair for 2026. Supervisor Steve Ding of District Four was selected to serve as Vice- Chair.
Chair Dhaliwal is the first Sikh-American to serve on the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors and the first to be elected as Board Chair. The annual reorganization reflects the Board’s commitment to shared governance among all five supervisorial districts.
“As we turn from celebrating the County’s 175th anniversary to the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of this great nation, I am mindful of my place in history and in this community,” said Chair Dhaliwal. “The United States gave me the opportunity to have the life I have today. The ability to say ‘my fellow Americans’ is a privilege I will never forget. And as we continue to expand what it means to be an American, I am proud to represent the people of San Joaquin County, and District Three, as Chair of the Board. I appreciate the gracious support of my colleagues. I look forward to working with you to continue to keep our meetings efficient, respectful, and accessible – guaranteeing everyone who participates knows their voice matters and is heard, and we can focus on doing the work of the people.”
Vice-Chair Ding also thanked his colleagues and reflected on the opportunity to serve in his new role. “As a restaurant owner and advocate for North County residents, I want people to know their voices are heard and represented in Stockton,” said Ding. “In this role, I look forward to supporting Chair Dhaliwal and the Board in facilitating smooth governance, while continuing to advocate for common-sense solutions and protections for our Delta and agricultural way of life.”
Chair Dhaliwal is beginning the second year of his first term representing District Three, following his election in 2024. He previously served more than a decade as Mayor of the City of Lathrop, along with additional service on the Lathrop City Council and Planning Commission. He is a strong advocate for job creation and education, with a focus on expanding access to good-paying local jobs for working families without the burden of long commutes.
Vice-Chair Ding is entering the final year of his first term, having been elected to the Board in 2022. Before joining the Board, he served as Congressional Staff Director of the House Resources Committee with jurisdiction over water, energy, Indian Affairs, fisheries and wildlife, forest reserves and national parks, marine affairs, oceanography, mineral resources of public lands, and public lands. As a restaurant owner/operator, he is known for his direct approach and practical problem-solving. He is a leading advocate for mental health reform and is actively working to improve how the federal government reimburses counties for mental health and substance-use crisis response and treatment.
The meeting was recorded and is available for viewing on the County’s YouTube channel. Meeting agendas are posted online at https://sjgov.link/bos-agenda. The next meeting of the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors is scheduled for Tuesday, January 27, 2026, in the Board Chambers on the sixth floor of the County Administration Building, located at 44 N. San Joaquin Street in Stockton.
