- (209) 468-3113
- dist3@sjgov.org
- Beckett Kelly,
- Chief of Staff
Sonny Dhaliwal arrived in the United States from a small village in Punjab, India with little more than ambition and a willingness to work. He first immigrated to the San Jose area, where he began his 30-year career at the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA). Searching for a smaller community to raise his family, he and his wife moved to Lathrop — a decision that would lead to more than two decades in public service.
His entry into local government came through a chance phone call from Lathrop's then-mayor, who was looking to fill a seat on the city's Planning Commission. Dhaliwal served three years on the commission, then six years on the Lathrop City Council beginning in 2006, before winning his first mayoral election in 2012. He was re-elected five additional times, becoming the city's longest-serving mayor and one of the first Sikh Americans elected mayor in California.
During his tenure as mayor, Lathrop grew significantly, attracting major employers including Tesla — which now operates nine facilities in the city employing more than 2,250 people in just one of the facilities — along with UPS, Wayfair, In-N-Out Burger, Ghirardelli Chocolate, Home Depot, and Ashley Furniture. The city also established its own police department, constructed a new police station, modernized key corridors, and received four consecutive years of recognition as a fiscally strong city from the California State Auditor's office.
As a long-time super commuter — driving 3.5 hours round trip daily between Lathrop and San Jose before retirement — Dhaliwal developed a particular focus on regional transportation. He served on the San Joaquin Rail Commission overseeing the Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) and continues to advocate for a regional rail hub in Lathrop connecting Valley Link, ACE, and eventual high-speed rail service, all while working to bring head of household jobs back home to San Joaquin County.
In November 2024, Dhaliwal was elected to the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors, representing the Third District, which includes Lathrop, Manteca, northwest Stockton, French Camp, and the Delta region. He was sworn in on January 6, 2025. In January 2026, his colleagues elected him Board Chair. He is the first Punjabi American to serve on the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors in the county's history.
His policy priorities include regional approaches to homelessness, water resource management, infrastructure investment, and economic development. He serves on numerous regional bodies, including the Delta Counties Coalition, San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG), the San Joaquin County Employees' Retirement Association Board, the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta Conservancy, and the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO).
Dhaliwal holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and lives in Lathrop with his wife and four children.
The Third District is home to the cities of Lathrop and Manteca, the community of French Camp, a portion of northwest Stockton, and the western reaches of the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta. It is a district defined by its connections — to the Bay Area via Interstate 205, to the broader state via Interstate 5 and State Route 120, to the East Bay via Highway 4, and to California's beauty via the Delta. Few places in California sit at the intersection of so many important conversations about growth, infrastructure, and the environment.
What makes this district special is the diversity of what it offers. The Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta provides hundreds of miles of navigable waterways — a world-class destination for fishing, boating, and water recreation that many residents enjoy year-round. State Route 120 originates in Manteca and leads directly to Yosemite National Park's Big Oak Flat entrance, approximately two and a half hours away, putting one of the world's great natural wonders within easy reach. Closer to home, Dell'Osso Family Farm in Lathrop — operating since the 1920s — draws visitors each season for its harvest festivals and agritourism experiences. Great Wolf Lodge in Manteca offers families a resort experience without leaving the county. Add to that the seasonal festivals, farmers markets, and community events that take place throughout the year, and there is no shortage of reasons to enjoy life here.
The Third District's economy is anchored by logistics and advanced manufacturing, industries that have grown substantially along the Interstate 5 corridor. Companies including Tesla, UPS, Wayfair, Amazon, In-N-Out Burger, Home Depot, Ghirardelli Chocolate, and Ashley Furniture have all chosen to locate operations in this district — a testament to its transportation access, available land, and workforce. In San Joaquin County, the Port of Stockton and the Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) rail service expand those advantages further, connecting businesses to markets across North America and beyond. San Joaquin General Hospital, located in French Camp, anchors the district's healthcare infrastructure and serves residents throughout the county. French Camp, the first community in San Joaquin County, will also be the future site of the BeWell Campus, leading to a completely change in healthcare for those who have mental health or substance abuse struggles.
Agriculture remains central to the identity and economy of San Joaquin County. The county is among California's leading agricultural producers, generating more than $3.2 billion in gross production annually and supporting over 34,000 agriculture-related jobs. Within the Third District, the Delta's farmland and water resources represent both an economic asset and a stewardship responsibility. Through my work on the Delta Counties Coalition and the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta Conservancy, I am committed to ensuring that the region's water future is managed wisely and equitably.
As your Supervisor, my priorities are straightforward: advance regional solutions for homelessness, protect and invest in our water resources, reduce traffic congestion and expand infrastructure, bring head-of-household jobs home to San Joaquin County, and promote economic growth that works for every community. I look forward to serving you.
| Agency/Board/Commission | Position |
|---|---|
| Advisory Water Commission | Member |
| City/County/Port/Union Liaison Committee | Member |
| Countywide Oversight Board | Member |
| Delta Counties Coalition | Member |
| Delta Protection Commission | Alternate Member |
| Eastern San Joaquin Groundwater Authority | Alternate Member |
| Economic Development Association | Member |
| Integrated Waste Management Plan Task Force | Alternate Member |
| Local Agency Formation Commission | Alternate Member |
| Medical Executive Committee | Member |
| San Joaquin County Employees' Retirement Association (SJCERA) | Member |
| Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy | Member |
| San Joaquin Council of Government | Alternate Member |
| Urban Counties of California | Alternate Member |
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