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We’ve been covering the early campaign announcements and following chatter in the community and on social media for months, but now is the time when the rubber really hits the road for local election candidates.Â
The nomination period opens in Alameda and Contra Costa counties on Monday for candidates to qualify for the Nov. 5 ballot for city, school and special district positions up for election in the Tri-Valley this year.
Prospective candidates have until Aug. 9 to file their paperwork to make the ballot – although the deadline is extended by five business days, to Aug. 14, for newcomers in contests where an eligible incumbent does not run for reelection.
There are a few of those for sure already. Well, maybe I shouldn’t say “for sure” because the incumbent has said they won’t run … but that recusal won’t become official until the initial deadline actually passes without their name in the hat. I have no reason to distrust them; just sayin’ though.
So far, San Ramon Mayor Dave Hudson has announced he won’t seek another term; same for Danville Town Councilmember Dave Fong, Pleasanton school board member Steve Maher, and Livermore school board members Yanira Guzmán and Kristie Wang.
There is guaranteed to be a contested race for Dublin mayor after Melissa Hernandez stepped down and interim Mayor Michael McCorriston said he’ll run to retain his old City Council seat instead this fall. The Pleasanton mayoral competition looks to be a battle featuring (at least) incumbent Karla Brown and Councilmember Jack Balch. I haven’t seen a challenger for Livermore Mayor John Marchand yet.
Pleasanton, Dublin, San Ramon and Livermore each have a pair of four-year, district-based council seats on their ballot; Danville has three at-large Town Council terms up for grabs.
On the school board front, in addition to the two seats in Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District, there will be three total due for election in Pleasanton, three in Dublin and two in the San Ramon Valley. As currently constituted, one seat is scheduled for regular election in Sunol Glen Unified School District – but the outcome of the pending recall election could add a second.
The initial list is long for special districts covering the area whose governing boards are on this election schedule, but the final tally could dwindle depending on if any are contested vs. uncontested.
Right now, there would be three positions for Dublin San Ramon Services District, two for Livermore Area Recreation and Park District, BART, Chabot-Las Positas Community College District, Contra Costa Community College District, Central Contra Costa Sanitary District, Diablo Community Services District, San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District and East Bay Municipal Utility District.
Don’t worry if those small agencies seem daunting to research; we’ll be there to help you learn about all of those candidates just like the major city and school seats or big ballot measures.
Voters in Pleasanton and San Ramon appear on their way to deciding sales tax increases in their respective jurisdictions as their cities try to work through significant budget deficit projections. It looks like no local school bond measures are moving forward, but San Ramon Valley Unified School District is still debating trying again for a parcel tax.
Dublin city residents will vote on ballot measures on term limits and prohibiting gifts from lobbyists and contracts.
Alameda County voters will figure the fate of District Attorney Pamela Price, who faces a recall election on Nov. 5.
Oh and don’t forget about the carryover races from the primary election.
Locally relevant runoffs include former congressman Jerry McNerney (D-Pleasanton) against businessman Jim Shoemaker (R-San Joaquin County) for State Senate District 5, Assemblymember Tim Grayson and San Ramon City Councilmember Marisol Rubio, both Democrats, for State Senate District 9 and Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) and businessman Joe Rubay (R-Alamo) for State Assembly District 16.
For U.S. House of Representatives seats for the Tri-Valley, District 14 incumbent Eric Swalwell (D-Livermore) faces Republican Vin Kruttiventi and District 10 incumbent Mark DeSaulnier (D-Concord) competes against Republican Katherine Piccinini.
The U.S. Senate contest has local ties too: Monte Vista High alum Adam Schiff (now a Democratic congressman in Burbank) is running against Republican and former MLB player Steve Garvey.
And there will be the big contest for the White House featuring … well, we might just have to wait until a certain convention to confirm that, if you’ve been caught in the media firestorm after the first presidential debate.
What fun lies ahead.
Editor’s note: Jeremy Walsh is the editorial director for the Embarcadero Media Foundation’s East Bay Division. His “What a Week” column is a recurring feature in the Pleasanton Weekly, Livermore Vine and DanvilleSanRamon.com.
