Amy Thompson has registered as a write-in candidate for the Tracy Unified School District Board of Education Area 4 seat, becoming the third individual to enter the race for the upcoming November 3 election. Thompson's decision to seek office outside the traditional ballot process means voters will need to write in her name for their vote to be counted. She expressed a desire to bring a "fresh perspective" to the board, particularly as a parent with children currently attending district schools.
Thompson was motivated to register following a candidate forum held on September 25. The incumbent, Olinga Yarber Alexander, was the only TUSD Area 4 candidate to participate in the event, which was hosted by the Tracy African American Association, Stockton Branch of NAACP, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Thompson's candidacy emerged after the August 7 deadline for candidates to be included on the official ballot.
As a mother of three, Thompson has two children currently attending Tracy High School and another who is a prospective 2026 graduate of the same school. She and her husband have been residents of Tracy for the past 18 years. Professionally, Thompson works as a training administrative specialist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
Thompson joins the race against Olinga Yarber Alexander, who is the incumbent TUSD Trustee for Area 4. Alexander was elected to the school board in 2022 and is actively involved in the community as an adult member of the Tracy Youth Advisory Commission, and with Tracy Kiwanis and the Tracy African American Association.
The third candidate in the Area 4 race is Alicia Corrales. Having lived in Tracy for more than 20 years, Corrales stated her motivation to run for the school board stemmed from conversations with parents about their children's educational needs. She described herself as an "advocate for children and families" and views a role on the local board of education as a natural progression. Corrales' professional background includes experience as a program coordinator for low-income housing, a social worker, a case manager, and her current occupation as a consultant for non-governmental organizations.
TUSD Area 4 covers the eastern portion of Tracy, extending from Schulte Road north to Interstate 205. Key schools within these boundaries include Tracy High, North School, the Tracy Learning Center, and Bohn School. For write-in votes to be counted, a candidate must register with the San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters, which is responsible for determining if the candidate is qualified to hold the specific office.