Elections are just around the corner and the City of Riverbank made sure to include candidates from various races to ensure that voters could meet and chat with multiple candidates along with hearing their responses to questions at the recent Candidate Forum.
Presented by the Riverbank Chamber of Commerce, the forum was meant to encourage questions, discussions and meet and greet interactions rather than a standard debate.
Candidates vying for the two available seats on the Riverbank City Council were on hand to answer six questions related to community growth, infrastructure as well as their reasons for running for a seat on the council. Nai Sosongkham, Jeannette Reyes, Sherry Fenn and incumbent Luis Uribe shared the stage to address questions regarding their visions for the future of District 1 in Riverbank.
Reyes emphasized her strong community ties, her work ethic and the fact that her family has lived in Riverbank for decades as key factors in running for the seat in District 1. Sherry Fenn, whose family donated the land that would become Jacob Myers Park, shared that she is concerned over the increases for water and sewer rates and that she is against the Riverwalk Development. Fenn went on to state that she also has strong concerns about the way that the City of Riverbank is being managed and hopes to restore respect and trust in the City Council if elected to the District 1 seat. Nai Sosongkham, a veteran, wants to reduce homelessness within the community and ensure that Riverbank is stronger, safer and better prepared for the future while also promoting existing businesses as well as part of his plan for the future. Incumbent Luis Uribe, also a veteran, shared that he loves the town and he will continue to show up for Riverbank just as he has for the past seven-plus years. Uribe went on to say that infrastructure, responsible growth and public safety are among the highest priorities for him if he is re-elected to the seat in District 1.
Candidates Sammi Martinez and Carissa Commons are running for the City Council Seat in District 4 and shared their plans if elected. Martinez, Director of Love Riverbank, explained that through her work in the community and serving on an advisory board for the Parks and Recreation Department, she has forged relationships with many folks in the community and has a good understanding of what Riverbank needs. Martinez will focus on establishing strong infrastructure to support current and future development while also promoting a higher quality of life to Riverbank residents. Commons, a nurse that works with patients in hospice, noted that she can serve the community with compassion and act as an advocate for people in difficult situations if elected. Commons will focus on maintaining transparency while in office as well as promoting stability within the government and working with her fellow residents to address things including wastewater treatment options.
In addition to the candidates for the Riverbank City Council, there were candidates vying for various positions within Riverbank, Modesto and the State Senate and Assembly Offices that joined the group to meet those attending the forum. Martha Gonzalez and incumbent Katie Wedge were on hand to share their visions for the future of the Riverbank Unified School District, which included programs to help students excel and prepare them for college and vocational opportunities.
Jaron Brandon and Alexandra Duarte, candidates for State Senate District 4, addressed representation within California and Washington, with Duarte focusing on her experience as a farmer and mother in the Central Valley that is acutely aware of the rising costs of living in California. Brandon noted that he wants to work with all political parties to reach solutions and work with various community partners to work on issues affecting Riverbank including wastewater treatment and water accessibility.
Rounding out the group, incumbent Robert Frobose and Dominic Giorgi, who are running for the MID Board, shared their platforms, in which both focused on stopping future rate increases for customers throughout Stanislaus County. Also on hand were Debra Hendricks, a former educator, who is running for a seat on the Yosemite Community College District Board, who reiterated her commitment to higher education and Matthew Adams, candidate running for the California State Assembly District 9, who said he is willing and ready to serve with a focus on putting community, not corporate interests, first and foremost.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
