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Erika Phillips came to Turlock politics through a business she built with her husband: Fit Kitchen, a meal-prep operation that grew from gym customers into a downtown storefront. Since taking office in 2024, the professional bodybuilder has moved from asking how to grow a small business to voting on how Turlock funds streets, development and public services.
Phillips represents District 4. Her current term runs through December 2028, so her council seat is not one of those being contested in the November 2026 election.
From meal preparation to a downtown business
Phillips worked in sales; Mike was a metal fabricator. In the Journal’s 2023 business profile, they described starting meal preparation in 2020. Orders from gym customers grew until both left their jobs. They used the Turlock Food Commissary before opening a storefront on July 24, 2023.
The shop occupied 28 Lander Avenue, Turlock, previously used by Maria’s Taco Shop and El Rancho Potosino. Its business centered on prepared meal plans and individually packaged meals, bringing Phillips into daily contact with customers downtown.
A small detail in the city’s March 2024 accounts-payable register connects Fit Kitchen to an earlier Turlock economic-development program: it lists a $1,000 Partnership Incentive Program entry for Erika A. Phillips doing business as Fit Kitchen Meal Prep LLC. The entry preceded her council election.
The athlete alongside the councilmember
Phillips’s sports background began well before bodybuilding. The Journal’s June 2025 profile described her playing softball as a child and running sprints at Johansen High School in Modesto. As a professional competitor, she competes in Figure. Her husband also serves as her trainer. The report described early-morning cardio and a six-day training routine alongside running the business and serving on the council.
The official Toronto Pro Supershow scorecards place her first in women’s Figure Masters 40+ and sixth in the open Figure competition. The local report said the result qualified her for that year’s Masters Olympia in Tokyo.
The 2024 election
Phillips ran for the open District 4 seat after Pam Franco chose to seek the separately elected city-treasurer position. In August 2024 candidate coverage, Phillips said the support for her new downtown business prompted her to find another way to serve the community. She identified road improvements and public safety as priorities.
The final county results gave Phillips 4,059 votes to Kamlesh Kaur’s 2,254, a 64.30%–35.70% outcome. She was sworn in on December 10, 2024, succeeding Franco. Her victory gave her a first four-year council term.
Development, roads and the voting record
Phillips supported the March 10, 2026 development incentive with Bublak and Bixel. Monez and Abram opposed it. The measure passed 3–2.
The city’s program description says eligible commercial, retail and industrial projects can receive a 25% reduction in Capital Facilities Fees while funds remain available. This is aimed at lowering the cost of new development.
On August 11, 2026, she joined a unanimous $20.28 million Geer Road contract award. Teichert Construction’s corridor work spans North Golden State Boulevard to Taylor Road, with pavement, pedestrian, accessibility and bicycle improvements. The city projected completion in early to mid-2028.
Fire services and shelter funding
Phillips supported the March 24, 2026 direction to negotiate continued fire-administration services with Modesto. The 3–2 motion included a citizen advisory board with union representation. It preceded consideration of a final agreement.
She also supported the final amended agreement in May, which passed unanimously. It concerned contracted administration while Turlock retained its own fire department and employees.
The Journal reported in April 2025 that Phillips joined Bublak and Monez in opposing support for We Care’s state-grant application; Bixel and Abram supported it. That contested funding decision is also part of her early council record.
Contact Erika Phillips
Her public council email is ephillips@turlock.ca.us. For a neighborhood issue, identify the location and what you want changed. Our local representatives directory links the official district map, City Hall contact information, meeting agendas and public-comment instructions.
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