Advocacy

Four Year Council Candidates

The candidates were asked to provide a statement they felt was important to share with the community for the seat they are running for. The following are the unedited responses provided to the Oakdale Chamber.

To view the recorded livestream from the City of Oakdale, click here.

Benjamin Amaral – Office Sought – Council Member

“First, I would like to thank everyone who found the time to attend. Unfortunately, because of school obligations I will not be able to join you. This campaign process has been remarkably interesting; meeting new residents of the city, seeing old familiar faces, and hearing their concerns. Residents are concerned about the direction things are going in today’s political climate and the impact it will have on our city, and I would like to restore their faith in our city council. I support small business, low taxes, and minimal regulations. I support responsible growth as needed. I support the citizens united against mandates. The Constitution is the written law of the land. I am the only candidate endorsed by the Republican party of Stanislaus County. I look forward to the opportunity to serve the community I have lived in for most of my life. Thank you for your consideration, take care and God Bless.”

Christopher Smith – Office Sought – Incumbent Council Member
Phone: (209) 845-3696
Email: [email protected]

My name is Christopher Smith. I’ve lived in Oakdale for 22 years, and, with the help of this community, have raised my son here. I am currently Mayor Pro Tem for Oakdale, a position that I’ve been honored with by the last two mayors. I’ve been encouraged to run for re-election by the past three mayors, and the city manager.

I’ve not missed a single council meeting since being elected in 2018, and pride myself in reading every packet, no matter how long, from cover to cover. In addition to the council commitments, I also currently serve on 11 different council related boards and commissions.

I’ve spent the past 20 years as a local Boy Scout leader, and as a volunteer at: Lion’s club breakfasts, Oakdale’s Thanksgiving Dinners, Love Oakdale, The Oakdale Rescue Mission, School Crab Feeds, City Cleanups, Oakdale Rodeo, and was logistics coordinator at the Oakdale 150th Birthday Party.

I’m honored to serve on the council, and running for re-election is another way for me to give back to Oakdale, as I have done for the past two decades.

Kayleigh Gilbert – Office Sought – Council Member
Phone: (209) 493-8497
Email: [email protected]

Hello I am Kayleigh Gilbert I am a local insurance agent for Karma Capital Insurance Solutions. I am 5th generation Oakdale. My family has lived here and done business locally for 130 years. I am running as non partisan because I believe it’s my duty to be well educated on each agenda item before voting. I want to be a voice for our community along with our small business. I believe what makes me qualified to be elected as a Oakdale City Council Member is my ongoing involvement in our community. I am an ambassador for the Oakdale Chamber, Delegate for this year’s upcoming Soroptimist board, a member of our local Real estate club CVAR. I am a member of Oakdale enrichment Society, Oakdale CowBoy museum, creator of Oakdale young Professionals, advisor of the S club on Oakdale High school campus, I am currently in Oakdale Leadership learning about all aspects of what makes Oakdale, Oakdale.

I am also on the marketing committee for Visit Oakdale that helps promote tourism in our town. I make all of the tik toks that the chamber posts on social media for our small business. I also will go into our small business and help promote them online.

I am easily attainable from facebook all the way to making sure our community can easily reach me at my cell phone number 209-493-8497.