Temporary order defies L.A. County COVID-19 orders; full hearing on September 4; only applies to that church, for now

On Thursday, August 13, Thomas More Society Special Counsel Jenna Ellis and attorney Charles LiMandri filed suit in the Superior Court of the State of California County of Los Angeles on behalf of Pastor John MacArthur and Grace Community Church against Governor Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Xavier Becerra, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, and other California and Los Angeles County public health officials. (See complaint)

On Friday, the California Court vindicated Pastor MacArthur and the church’s stance that church is essential by recognizing the constitutionally protected right of churches to remain open and hold indoor services in their sanctuary.

Hours after Grace Community Church filed suit to invalidate Los Angeles County’s unconstitutional restrictions on churches, the County filed for a temporary restraining order to force the church to stop holding indoor services and comply with every unreasonable and over-broad demand. At hearing today (Friday, August 14, 2020) in Los Angeles Superior Court, Judge Chalfant denied almost all of the County’s requests, agreeing with Pastor MacArthur and the Church that it is the County’s burden to show why it should be permitted to infringe on the constitutionally protected rights of churches to freely exercise religion. The judge did also express concern for some safety protocols.

To address those concerns and after explaining that the County was being unreasonable in its demands, counsel for Grace Community Church offered to comply with mask wearing and social distancing indoors until the matter could be fully heard, rather than the County simply rushing to shut down the Church. The judge agreed this was reasonable, set the full hearing for September 4, 2020, and ordered the Church to have congregants wear masks and social distance between family groups indoors.

Pastor John MacArthur said of the ruling, “I am very grateful the Court has allowed us to meet inside and we are happy for a few weeks to comply and respect what the judge has asked of us because he is allowing us to meet. This vindicates our desire to stay open and serve our people. This also gives us an opportunity to show that we are not trying to be rebellious or unreasonable, but that we will stand firm to protect our church against unreasonable, unconstitutional restrictions.”

Attorney Ellis said, “This is a huge vindication for Pastor John and the Board of Elders at Grace Community Church, who have simply asked for their right to worship the Lord together in church to be acknowledged and protected. When I spoke with Pastor John after the hearing, he expressed sincere gratitude to the California Court and Judge Chalfant and said his congregation will be happy to comply with the judge’s temporary order. This is why John MacArthur is so deeply loved and respected by his congregation and all over the world. He is a gracious and firm leader, and his biblical stand for church being essential has now been rightly validated. We look forward to continuing to advocate on his behalf in asking the Court to protect the fundamental rights of churches.”

Legal counsel LiMandri said, “This result is indeed a great victory for all citizens’ constitutional right to freedom of religion. Pastor MacArthur’s love of God and country motivated him and all the GCC church elders to resist the unjust government shut-down orders targeting people of faith. Their devotion and patriotism has brought about a result that respects the legitimate interests of both the church and state. This result makes it possible for the thousands of congregants of GCC to continue to gather together in their church to worship, while at the same time honoring the court’s requirement that reasonable and temporary safety measures be observed. This court ruling should stay in effect at least until there can be a full court hearing in this case on September 4, 2020. Please continue to pray that the courts allow this enlightened judge’s decision to stand so that all Californians can soon resume the worship of God in their respective churches.”

“We are simply continuing to do today what we have done for the past 63 years, that Grace Community Church has been open to welcome the Los Angeles community and serve their spiritual needs,” the pastor said in a statement. “We will remain open and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all who decide they want to come worship with us.”

The suit seeks to prohibit California from enforcing its unconstitutional and onerous coronavirus pandemic regulations against Grace Community Church and seeks a judgment that the health orders violate the California Constitution.

“Having irreparably damaged the confidence of Americans—and Californians especially—who now realize that the pandemic restrictions are neither necessary nor good, on Sunday, July 26, 2020, Grace Community Church decided to resume worship services—joining millions of Americans in deciding that enough is enough. With deaths from the ‘COVID-19 suicide pandemic’ exceeding those from the actual coronavirus pandemic, Grace Community Church decided that it would no longer sit by and watch its congregants and their children suffer from an absence of religious worship and instruction. Perhaps unsurprisingly—perhaps not—this led the County of Los Angeles to submit a demand letter to Grace Community Church, ordering it to comply with the restrictions that Los Angeles County deems unnecessary to enforce against so many others. Grace Community Church does not intend to comply.”

According to attorneys for the church, it is time for California to recognize that Christians are not second-class citizens, and the court must step in to do its job in applying the protections that the U.S. and California State constitutions provide to every individual equally and to churches in particular.

Pastor MacArthur opened the Sunday morning service on August 9, welcoming worshippers to “the Grace Community Church peaceful protest.” He was met with a standing ovation and extended applause from the congregation. Pastor MacArthur said of the lawsuit, “We are simply continuing to do today what we have done for the past 63 years, that Grace Community Church has been open to welcome the Los Angeles community and serve their spiritual needs. We will remain open and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all who decide they want to come worship with us.”

Ellis said, “We hoped that Los Angeles County would see its error on its own, but after attempted negotiations with their counsel, California is still intent on targeting churches—specifically, Grace Community Church. Pastor MacArthur and the Board of Elders will stand firm in their leadership and resolve that church is essential, and California has no legitimate power to enforce such onerous and unconstitutional restrictions against the fundamentally protected right to freely participate in church. After Grace Community Church voluntarily complied with state orders for nearly six months, California’s edicts demanding an indefinite shut down have gone now far past rational or reasonable and are firmly in the territory of tyranny and discrimination. This isn’t about health. It’s about blatantly targeting churches.”

LiMandri stated, “It is unconstitutional for Governor Newsom and the State of California to discriminate against churches by treating them less favorably than other organizations and activities that are not protected by the First Amendment. Pastor MacArthur and his church, as well as all churches, are entitled to practice their religion without government interference. This is especially the case when the government has given free rein to protestors, and is not similarly restricting marijuana dispensaries, large retail outlets and factories, or abortion providers. The government orders are also unconstitutional because there is no compelling need for the onerous restrictions on the churches at this time. The hospitals are not overwhelmed and the percentage death rate from COVID-19 is now extremely small. It is time for Governor Newsom and Mayor Garcetti to recognize what President Trump has already proclaimed: churches are providing an ‘essential’ service to the people. Therefore, they must be allowed to serve the people in the manner in which God has called them.”

Read the Thomas More Society’s Complaint filed with the Superior Court for the State of California County of Los Angeles – in Grace Community Church and Pastor John MacArthur v. Gavin Newsome et al., on August 12, 2020, here.

Read the Demand Letter sent to Pastor John MacArthur by attorney Jason Tokoro, representing the County of Los Angeles in California, on July 29, 2020, here.

 

 

Moved back to Antioch two months ago, but has lived in the city for over half her life.

By Allen Payton

Questions have arisen about the possible conflict of interest of the candidate for Antioch City Treasurer, Lauren Posada, who is challenging appointed incumbent Jim Davis in the November election, because she works in the City of Antioch Finance Department. But City Attorney Thomas Smith says there isn’t a conflict of interest and she can run.

When asked to verify that, she responded, “yes, I work for the finance department in (the) City of Antioch. I’ll been there five years next month and have received all approvals to run for treasurer, including the City Attorney. I got the green light last Friday (July 31).”

Questions were sent to City Attorney Smith and City Finance Director Dawn Merchant asking for confirmation of what Posada shared and the relationship the City Treasurer has with the department.

In response Smith wrote, “The City Treasurer is an elected office, and under the law, any resident of Antioch who is registered to vote in the city may run for that office, including an employee of the City.  The duties of the City Treasurer are set forth in the California Government Code and include ensuring that city funds are properly deposited and invested, sign warrants and submit monthly reports.  On the other hand, the duties of the City Finance Department are much broader in range, including preparation of the City budget, utility billing and collection of fees, issuance of business licenses, and general fiscal operations, etc.  If Ms. Posada is elected City Treasurer, the City Council may consider whether the compensation and/or benefits for the City Treasurer position should be adjusted.”

Davis shared that he as City Treasurer, is the custodian of the field checks each month and “those checks come back through Lauren’s accounts payable to pay them, including bills for the various departments.”

An email was then sent to Merchant asking about Posada’s duties and if there would be any overlap with the responsibilities of the City Treasurer.

The following questions were asked: “How much and in what ways do you and your department work with the City Treasurer?” and “is Mrs. Posada a full-time employee?”

Merchant responded with, “Ms. Posada is a full-time employee.  Ms. Posada does not pay the Field Checks.  Field Checks are manual/hand checks written by various authorized City employees to pay vendors for goods or services under $200.00.  A carbon copy of those checks are returned by employees to our accounting department for review of account accuracy and adequate documentation.  Ms. Posada then enters the field check data into the City’s General Ledger after accountant review so that they are properly recorded and accounted for.  As far as the various bills of the City, all invoices are first reviewed by whatever department purchased the good or service.  They are then approved by the authorized supervisor, manager or department head.  Ms. Posada then enters those approved payments into the accounts payable system for processing.  Her batches are then reviewed by the accountants before final payment can be made.”

Davis also broached the subject about Posada’s residency, claiming she’s only lived in Antioch for two months. When asked if that was true, if she moved away and recently moved back and how long she lived outside of Antioch, Posada responded, “yes, that’s correct. I’ve lived in Antioch for roughly 16 years throughout the course of my life, which is over half. My parents occasionally moved away but we always came back to Antioch.”

She then also shared, “I was born in Antioch (literally at Walnut Creek Kaiser), until I was around two-years-old, moved back from 2nd-10th grade, moved back in 2013 and my husband and I sold our home in 2015. Moved back in 2020. So, it’s been five years.”

On her campaign Facebook page earlier this week, Posada wrote, “Hello Residents of Antioch! This is just the beginning of my page and I look forward to sharing my heart with you concerning Antioch and why I made the decision to run for Treasurer.” She is married to Will and they have two children.

Davis was appointed City Treasurer by the city council in 2018 filling the vacancy left by former City Treasurer Donna Conley, and this is his first time running for election to the position. He is a former Antioch Mayor and Councilman. This would be Posada’s first time in elected office should she win. The election is on November 3.

By Allen Payton

According to Antioch Police, about midnight Saturday night, August 6, 2020 a female driver hit the median of James Donlon Blvd. causing her vehicle to rollover. She was ejected from the car through the windshield.

She is suspected of being drunk and was taken to the hospital. The incident is still under investigation.

According to a source who chose to remain anonymous, the driver’s car hit another vehicle with two people inside, causing “front end and hood damage.”

“Yes, she got ejected. She did have vomit on her and it looked like a head injury,“ the source wrote about the driver who caused the accident, adding that her car “knocked down a pole” and “ended on its roof.”

The driver and passenger of the other car “are doing fine” the source shared.

The August heat wave is predicted to reach record-breaking levels and the City of Antioch is opening a cooling center to assist residents during the upcoming week. Residents without home air conditioning, or with health conditions made worse with extreme heat are encouraged to seek out the cooling center during the hottest part of the day. The cooling center is located at the Nick Rodriguez Community Center, 213 F Street, in the historic district of the City. There is plenty of parking nearby. The cooling center will be open from 12:00noon to 6:00pm everyday August 14, 2020 through August 19, 2020.

COVID-19 Health Orders remain in full effect and the following modifications are activated and required by all individuals coming to the cooling center:

– Everyone must wear masks and/or acceptable face coverings

– Social distancing will be enforced; only families may sit or stand together

– All visitors must answer the COVID health questions; if you feel sick stay home, you will not be admitted into the center

– Bring your own snacks; sharing food is not allowed

“Our community is on high alert. Everyone is working together to watch for heat-related illness among all residents, high fire danger in our grasslands, and other challenges that come with this intense summer weather.” says Nancy Kaiser, Parks and Recreation Director. The cooling center is an important service for families that need some respite during this time.

The Antioch Water Park continues to offer family swimming sessions on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. A family or household up to six individuals can enjoy a refreshing dip in a specific area of the water park; social distancing and other COVID health rules are in place. The entry fee is $5 per person payable by credit card. Reservations are required, and residents are encouraged to call the water park at (925) 776-3070 to secure a swim time for this weekend. The pools reach capacity quickly!

Residents are encouraged to stay connected with the City of Antioch by following the daily announcements posted on the website www.antiochca.gov. For more information about park use and the activities allowed at this time please call the Recreation Department at 925-776-3050.

All in a day’s and night’s work

By Antioch Police Department

Curious to know what APD does to keep our city safe? Here’s a recap from last Wednesday, August 5, 2020:

At about 3:50 pm, #APDSwingShift Officer Amiri and Canine Purcy (he’s back!) were driving eastbound on the freeway when they spotted a car stolen from Union City. After they flipped on the red/blues, the driver didn’t pull-over right-away, but eventually stopped on Lone Tree Way at Putnam Street and refused to get out of the car. Officers blocked the vehicle in (to prevent a high-speed chase) and used time/de-escalation techniques to bring this incident to a safe conclusion.

Several hours later, at about 10:20 pm, Officer Amiri and faithful companion Purcy were patrolling Sunset Drive when they spotted another car stolen from Concord. The occupants were detained, and a search was conducted, revealing an illegally possessed firearm along with drugs packaged for sale.

At about 1:20 am, #APDNightShift Officer Hill found a third car stolen from Oakland and pulled it over near Sycamore and L Streets. The driver initially stopped but jumped back into the car and drove-away. He crashed into a median at Buchanan Road and Contra Loma Blvd. but had nowhere else to run, because a sea of APD had him surrounded. Officers found a gun in the vehicle with an extended magazine, which the driver was not allowed to possess because of his parole status.

Policework can be dangerous and unpredictable, but luckily your APD officers constantly train in the latest tactics and de-escalation techniques. Our officers have proactively found several illegally possessed firearms over the last several months and have done so safely. We cannot accomplish our mission to keep you safe without your continued help and support (which we appreciate!)

If you see something that needs our attention, our digits are (925) 778-2441, or 9-1-1 if you think it’s an emergency. Thanks for working with us to Keep Antioch Safe! #AntiochPD  #AntiochPDK9  #CaninePurcy  #AntiochStrong

Thorpe qualifies for mayor making it four challengers for Wright

By Allen Payton

According to Antioch City Clerk Arne Simonsen, two candidates had less than 20 valid signatures and failed to qualify for their races in Antioch. La Donna Norman failed to qualify to run for City Council in District 1 and Beverley Beckman failed to qualify to run for Mayor. That leaves three candidates remaining in the District 1 race and four challengers in the mayor’s race, including Antioch Councilman Lamar Thorpe who qualified, as of today, Monday, August 10, 2020 and will face incumbent Mayor Sean Wright in the November election.

After switching from running for re-election, on his city council Facebook page on Friday, Thorpe posted a video of his candidate’s oath of office and wrote, “At City Hall taking oath of candidacy for my campaign for Mayor of Antioch. Been taking the oath to defend the US Constitution since I first joined the US NAVY in 2000!”

On his campaign Facebook page on August 4, Wright wrote, “So honored to turn in my official papers today to file for re-election as your Mayor. We have many challenges ahead, including this pandemic. I am ready, with your support, to move Antioch forward.”’

Antioch Councilwoman Joy Motts now faces just two challengers in her race for re-election, former Antioch Mayor Pro Tem and current Planning Commissioner, Manny Soliz and non-profit executive Tamisha Walker. On her city council Facebook page on August 5, she wrote, “My friends, I’m excited to announce I have officially filed to run for re-election to the City Council in District 1. Campaigning during COVID will be interesting. Please let me know if I can count on your support!”

In the District 3 council race, homeless advocate Nichole Gardner qualified, as did Antioch Parks and Recreation Commission Chair, Marie Arce.

The focus of Gardner’s campaign will be on homelessness in Antioch. On campaign Facebook page on Friday she wrote:

Today was an exciting day for me. I pulled my nomination papers to run for Antioch City Council District 3. I have so many reasons why I wanted to join this race but over the last year and a half I have not only been advocating for our homeless brothers and sisters on our streets but for the community members who have been affected by homelessness every single day. One thing I’ve learned over the years is that simply feeding people and giving them necessities such as toiletries, blankets, etc. isn’t enough. I have been advocating at city council meetings for a year and a half. Not missing a single meeting. Since my advocacy started, I participated and gathered members in the community to come together for the Ad Hoc Committee on Homelessness to discuss issues surrounding homelessness, I have worked with Public works, the city manager and council members to assist my organization with encampment clean-ups and cleanups in our shopping centers, and have also worked with business owners and listened to their pleas about how garbage and our unhoused in front of their buildings have negatively affected their businesses. I have worked and done my research for years to bring our community together and break many of those stereotypes that some have about homelessness.

The city initially told the advocates that they didn’t have anything to do with homeless services (that it was a County issue.) I never gave up. I kept showing up. The city has since put over $500,000 towards homeless services, $150,000 for a homeless coordinator, they worked with us to put dumpsters and porta potties around the city to deal with garbage and to give the homeless on our streets dignity by having a place to use the restroom, and they are currently working on leasing a motel in the city for homeless families.

Homelessness is a major problem in our city. I am doing this for every single person who has cried on my shoulder after having everything they own taken from them. I’m doing this for our brothers and sisters who have died on our streets in the cold. I am doing this for those who think there is no way out and just need a helping hand to get back on their feet. I’m doing this for those who have said they need mental health, job opportunities and access to rehab for their issues. I’m doing this for those who I have had to pass on the streets in the pouring rain, feeling hopeless because there was nowhere for them to go. I’m doing this for the veterans, the over 300 kids in our school system, for the families, disabled and elderly people on our streets. I love each and every one of you. From the bottom of my heart, THIS FIGHT IS FOR YOU!

Gardner works as an Administrative Assistant for the Los Medanos Community Healthcare District in Pittsburg, where Thorpe is Executive Director, but her ballot designation according to the report by the Contra Costa Elections office,  she lists herself as a Nonprofit Executive Director, referring to Facing Homelessness, which she formed in 2016 and obtained its non-profit status in 2018. It has the same name as an organization in Seattle, but is not affiliated. Gardner’s local organization has a Facebook page entitled Facing Homelessness in Antioch.

Gardner was elected to the Contra Costa County Democratic Central Committee in March and is running for the non-partisan council seat in that role according to her campaign logo posted on Facebook. During protests in Antioch, this year, Gardner has also advocated for defunding the police and re-allocating some of the budget spent on police to other programs, such as for youth.

She opposes placing sworn police officers as School Resource Officers on Antioch school campuses. In a July 25 post on her campaign Facebook page Gardner wrote, “This is crazy to me as a mom of two boys in AUSD. City/School Board leaders are proposing adding cops to our school campuses at a cost of $3 million dollars. We can’t afford to give students laptops, but we can afford to hire cops for empty campuses? Tell city council to vote NO on Agenda item 4!!!”

Then, in a post on her campaign Facebook page on Sunday Gardner wrote, “Students held a rally for ‘counselors, not cops’ on Friday after the City Council and School board voted to spend close to $1 million annually to reinstate cops on school campuses. This comes after the school board made $1.8 million (incl. 28 positions) in cuts. I am so proud of our youth. They have been organizing and demonstrating all over the city for what they believe in. As a mother of 2 boys in AUSD, I’m encouraged by our youth using their voices at city council and school board meetings to champion change. Whether we agree with them or not (in this case I do agree with the), it is important for us to nourish their civic participation and lift up their voices.”

According to Simonsen’s final report, issued today, Monday, August 10, 2020, the following Antioch residents have qualified and will appear on the November 3rd ballot. The Secretary of State’s randomized alphabet drawing for ballot placement will take place on August 13th.

Mayor

Sean Wright

Julio Mendez

Rakesh Kumar Christian

Gabriel Makinano

Lamar Thorpe

Council District 1

Joyann Motts

Manuel Soliz

Tamisha Walker

Council District 2

Tony Tiscareno

Michael Barbanica

Council District 3

Lori Ogorchock

Antwon Webster

Marie Arce

Nichole Gardner

Council District 4

Sandra White

Monica Wilson

Alex Astorga

City Treasurer

James Davis

Lauren Posada

City Clerk

Arne Simonsen

Ellie Householder

Dwayne Eubanks

To see the final list of candidates for all city and Antioch School Board races visit the Antioch Herald Election 2020 website page.

 

By Antioch Police Department

Today, Monday, August 10, 2020 we had the pleasure of welcoming four new members to the Antioch Police Department family. Pictured above are Officer Josh Egan, Records Technicians Diane Nieves (far left) and Antonio Quintanilla (far right), and Crime Analyst Lisa Reinke (with our fabulous Chief Brooks of course). Please take a moment to welcome them to our amazing community

By Allen Payton

More candidates entered the race, filed or qualified to run for the 10 Antioch city and school board offices in the November election on Friday, the deadline for filing to run. Mayor Sean Wright will for sure face three challengers and most likely five, assuming both newcomer and unknown Beverly Beckman and Councilman Lamar Thorpe, who are awaiting signature verification, qualify. Gabriel Makinano qualified to run for mayor on Friday. Manuel Sidrian didn’t file, nor did Kenny Turnage who chose to run for school board in Area 3, instead.

In the City Council races, both Manny Soliz and Tamisha Walker qualified to run while La Donna Norman filed her Nomination papers for District 1 to take on Mayor Pro Tem Joy Motts, by Friday’s deadline. But Fernando Navarette didn’t file.

According to her candidate statement, Norman has lived in Antioch and specifically in District 1 for the past 16 years. She earned a degree in Social Science, with a Minor in African American Studies at Cal State Chico in 2004 and a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage Family Therapy at Argosy University in 2011. According to her LinkedIn profile Norman earned her Ph.D. in Psychology, Cognition and Instruction from Grand Canyon University in 2016. A video was posted of Norman taking her candidate’s oath off office was posted on her Instagram page.

She has worked in the behavioral health and human services profession for over 14 years, and currently manages five outpatient behavioral health programs serving children and transitional-age youth in Stanislaus County with the title of Children’s System of Care Manager-II. According to an internet search Norman previously worked in private practice as a mental health counselor in Rio Vista. According to her Instagram page, Norman’s nickname is “LD”.

In District 2, it will be a two-man race between former Councilman Tony Tiscareno, and Real Estate Broker and retired police lieutenant Mike Barbanica.

In District 3, Nichole Gardener filed her papers on Friday. She and Marie Arce are awaiting verification of their nomination signatures. As was announced earlier, today Wayne Steffen withdrew from the race and threw his support behind Antwon Webster, who will join the two ladies in challenging Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock who is running for re-election. (See related article)

Finally, in District 4 Antioch Councilwoman Monica Wilson, having pulled out of the mayor’s race earlier this week, qualified to fun for re-election, while Alex Astorga filed his papers on Friday. His ballot designation is Businessowner/IT Engineer and he will join Sandra White in challenging Wilson who is seeking her third term on the council. No other information nor any photos could be found for Astorga from an internet search other than he’s 60 years old.

Candidates in Districts 1 and 4 will be running for a two-year term and will have to run again in 2022, while those in District 2 and 3 will be running for full, four-year terms.

In the City Treasurer’s race, Lauren Posada, an accounts payable clerk in the City of Antioch Finance Department, filed to challenge incumbent Jim Davis who is seeking his first full term in the position. He was appointed by the council 2018 to fill the vacancy left by former City Treasurer Donna Conley.

Posada recently moved back to Antioch two months ago, and said she was cleared to run by the City Attorney having no legal conflict of interest holding the position should she win. (More about that in a follow-up article). However, Posada said she’s lived in Antioch for a total of 16 years during her life. Ruben Rocha did not file in the Treasurer’s race, but announced last week that he would not run.

In the final city race, incumbent City Clerk Arne Simonsen will face two challengers, including Ellie Householder, who is running in the middle of her term as an Antioch School Board Trustee, and Antioch Police Crime Prevention Commissioner Dwayne Eubanks who qualified to run on Friday.

Antioch School Board Races

In the races for Antioch School Board, according to Friday’s County Elections office report, Trustee Gary Hack faces no challengers in the Area 4 race, and unless someone runs a successful write-in campaign against him, will win re-election to his third term on the board.

In the Area 1 race, Alexis Medina filed on the last day possible to join Antonio Hernandez and George Young, III in their efforts to unseat Board President Diane Gibson-Gray, who is seeking her fourth term as a trustee. No information could be found on Medina from internet searches.

In the Area 3 race it will be Dr. Clyde Lewis and Kenny Turnage challenging Trustee Crystal Sawyer-White who is running for re-election for her second term on the board.

According to City Clerk Simonsen, the following Antioch residents have Qualified, Withdrawn, or Did not File as of the 5:00 p.m. Filing Deadline on August 7th, for the following City offices. All candidate names who have qualified to run are as they will appear on the ballot:

Mayor

Sean Wright (I) – Qualified on 8/4/20

Julio Jesse Mendez – Qualified on 7/31/20

Rakesh Kumar Christian – Qualified on 7/22/20

Gabriel Visaya Makinano – Qualified on 8/7/20

Beverley Beckman – Filed on 8/7/20 (awaiting signature verification)

Lamar Thorpe – Filed on 8/7/20 (awaiting signature verification)

Elizabeth Householder – Withdrawn 8/3/20

Monica Wilson – Withdrawn 8/4/20

Wade Harper – Withdrawn 7/31/20

Kenneth Turnage II – Did not File

Manuel Sidrian – Did not file

Council District 1

Joy Motts – Qualified on 8/5/20

Manuel Louis Soliz, Jr. – Qualified 8/7/20

Tamisha Walker – Qualified on 8/7/20

La Donna Norman – Filed on 8/7/20 (awaiting signature verification)

Fernando Navarrete – Did not file

Council District 2

Tony G. Tiscareno – Qualified on 7/30/20

Michael Barbanica – Qualified on 8/4/20

Council District 3

Lori Ogorchock – Qualified on 8/6/20

Antwon R. Webster, Sr. – Qualified on 8/5/20

Marie Arce – Filed on 8/5/20 (awaiting signature verification)

Nichole Gardner – Filed on 8/7/20 (awaiting signature verification)

Wayne Steffen – Withdrawn on 8/7/20

Lamar Thorpe – Withdrawn 8/5/20

Council District 4

Sandra Gail White – Qualified on 8/3/20

Monica E. Wilson – Qualified on 8/7/20

Alex John Astorga – Qualified on 8/7/20

City Treasurer

James Davis (I) – Qualified on 8/6/20

Lauren Posada – Qualified on 8/7/20

Ruben Rocha – Did not file

City Clerk

Arne Simonsen (I) – Qualified on 8/4/20

Ellie Householder – Qualified on 8/5/20

Dwayne Donald Eubanks – Qualified on 8/7/20

ANTIOCH SCHOOL BOARD

Area 1

Diane Gibson-Gray – Filed 7/31/20

Antonio Hernandez – Filed 8/5/20

George Young III – Filed 8/6/20

Area 3

Crystal Sawyer-White – Filed 7/24/20, Withdrew, Filed again 8/3/20

Clyde Lewis – Filed 8/6/20

Kenny Turnage – Filed 8/6/20

This list will be updated when the candidates who have filed but awaiting verification of signatures become Qualified for the various city races. To see the final list of candidates for all 10 races in Antioch visit www.antiochherald.com/election-2020.