Torres-Walker announces campaign for re-election to Antioch City Council
In English and Spanish; for third term, faces Joy Motts for third time
By Allen D. Payton
Although she completed filing last month, in a post on her official Facebook page on Monday, August 24, 2026, incumbent District 1 Antioch City Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker announced her re-election campaign to a third term. Actually, if elected it will be her second-and-a-half term as she was elected in 2020 for a two-year term following council districting and for a full, four-year term in 2022. Once again, Torres-Walker faces former Councilwoman Joy Motts, for a third time, having first unseating Motts by 212 votes, then defeating her again in 2022 by just four votes following a recount. (Note: This reporter helped raise funds to pay for the recount).
However, in those races, there were three candidates running and splitting the vote. This time it’s a one-on-one contest.
Torres-Walker’s campaign slogans this year are, “Putting Working Families First” and “Leading with Clarity, Steadiness, and Care.”
In her candidate statement, Torres-Walker’s ballot designation is listed as Councilwoman/Nonprofit Executive, working as Executive Director for the Richmond-based Safe Return Project, according to her LinkedIn profile. The councilwoman is a Co-Founder of the organization according to their website, and describes it as “a campaign to secure the freedom and liberation of formerly incarcerated individuals.”
She first posted in English then in Spanish writing, “I’m running for re-election as Antioch City Council member representing District 1 this November.
“My leadership has been focusing on the people and the solution, not just the fight. We need local leaders who will run toward the difficulties facing our communities rather than turn a blind eye. Antioch needs a leader who won’t let inequity go unaddressed while others conduct business as usual.
“I am that leader!
“Check out my Website: https://www.tamishaforantiochd1.com/. Email the Campaign to volunteer: tamishaforantiochd1@gmail.com. Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TamishaforAntioch.”
In Spanish she wrote, “Me postulo para la reelección como miembro del Concejo Municipal de Antioch, en representación del Distrito 1, este mes de noviembre.
“Mi liderazgo se ha enfocado en las personas y en encontrar soluciones, no simplemente en la confrontación. Necesitamos líderes locales que den la cara a las dificultades que afectan a nuestras comunidades, en lugar de hacerse de la vista gorda. Antioch necesita un líder que no permita que las desigualdades queden sin atender mientras otros intentan seguir haciendo negocios como de costumbre.
“¡Soy esa líder!”
On her campaign website Torres-Walker offers additional messages of, “Proven leadership. Community-rooted change. A stronger Antioch for everyone” and “Leadership Focused on People and Solutions,” and a list of her accomplishments in office.
Under the title of “Building Antioch’s Next Chapter” she writes, “My vision is an Antioch where every neighborhood is safe, every family can afford a stable home, every young person has opportunities to succeed, and every resident can see themselves represented in their local government.”
Torres-Walker offers seven commitments if elected for another term. She writes, “I will continue working to:
- Expand community-based violence prevention and youth programs
- Protect renters and increase pathways to affordable home ownership.
- Address homelessness through housing, services and long-term solutions.
- Strengthen police accountability and improve community trust.
- Support seniors, veterans, working families and people with disabilities.
- Bring responsible development, good jobs and new economic opportunities to Antioch.
- Make City Hall more transparent, accessible and accountable to the people it serves.
She summarizes her platform as, “Affordable Housing; Safe Neighborhoods; Good Jobs and a Strong Local Economy; Youth Opportunity; Transparent, Accountable Government; and One Antioch.”
Torres-Walker finishes her message with, “We have shown what is possible when residents organize, speak up and demand something better. Now, I am ready to build on that progress and continue moving Antioch forward—with courage, experience and a commitment to leaving no one behind.
“Let’s continue building an Antioch where every family has the opportunity to thrive.”
Her candidate statement shares more of her accomplishments and ends with, “There’s more work ahead, and I’m not backing down. I’m asking for your vote, so I can keep fighting for an Antioch that works for all of us.”
The election is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
the attachments to this post:
Torres-Walker re-election flier
Torres-Walker re-election flier Esp
