Dan Mendoza is back, along with Steve Tavares and Trishala Vinnakota, and the timing couldn't be better.

—We analyze the year in East Bay politics: President Trump's impact on the county and its cities; a look back at Oakland's special election; and the FBI investigations involving the Bryan Azevedo and Sheng Thao cases—and what to expect in 2026.

—Best performance by a public official

• Ken Houston, Oakland

• Kevin Jenkins, Oakland

• Jack Balch, Pleasanton

• Nikki Fortunato Bas, Alameda County

• Igor Tregub, Alameda County Democratic Party chair

—Worst performance by a public official(s)

• Bryan Azevedo, San Leandro councilmember

• Hayward City Council

• Fred Simon, San Leandro councilmember

• Victor Aguilar, Jr., San Leandro councilmember

—Best quote

• Ken Houston, Oakland: "We had our straps, but we weren't shooting no guns."

• Julie Testa, Pleasanton councilmember: "You don't have the right to control me, mayor."

• Mark Salinas, Hayward mayor: "I feel like I failed. I really do, as a mayor."

• Nate Miley, Alameda County supervisor: "I'm just letting you know. I'm letting you know. Respectfully, letting you know if you start jumping into the unincorporated area and not respecting the supervisor, or supervisors that represent the unincorporated area, there could be ramifications."

• Ken Houston: "There's going to be some order in this court."

—Best Hair

• Rob Bonta, California attorney general

• David Haubert, Alameda County supervisor

• Pamela Price, former Alameda County DA

—Best performance by a public speaker

• Al Mendall, Hayward

• Gene Hazard, Oakland

• Tod Hickman, Alameda

—Best Fight

• East Bay MUD Board vs. Board Director April Chan

• Oakland Councilmember Ken Houston vs. Oakland Public Works Director Josh Rowan

• Pleasanton Mayor Jack Balch vs. Councilmember Julie Testa

East Bay Insiders welcomes Carla Marinucci back to the pod. We dive into reports that Attorney General Rob Bonta is eyeing a run for governor. What does it mean for Rep. Eric Swalwell's own ambitions? Did Swalwell miss a window to run for AG, and could a Bonta–Swalwell rivalry be shaping up?

We break down the early race to replace Swalwell in Congress, featuring State Sen. Aisha Wahab and BART Director Melissa Hernandez, and revisit how shifting district lines once helped Swalwell rise.

On the local front, we talk Costco coming to Oakland, led by Councilmember "Kirkland" Carroll Fife, why landing a Costco can be a fiscal game-changer for cities—and how Oakland might mess it up.

We also cover Pamela Price's comeback bid for Alameda County district attorney and what the dismissal of charges against former San Leandro officer Jason Fletcher means for the 2026 primary. Plus, a remembrance of San Leandro Mayor Stephen Cassidy, reflecting on his leadership and lasting impact on the East Bay.

Don't miss Episode 122, featuring the 3rd Annual Insidey Awards.

Happy Thanksgiving! Following the bombsell East Bay Insiders report of a letter alleging the existence of a video showing California Attorney General Rob Bonta in a "compromising situation," Steve Tavares provides additonal insights into the story and the potential Easter eggs in the letter. Will Bonta still run for governor? Along with Trishala Vinnakota and Justin Berton, we also breakdown Eric Swalwell's own nascent campaign for governor - his chances and what to expect? Plus, we look at Hayward's mounting budget crisis and two former elected officials' surprising public criticisms of the current city council.

A Bryan Azevedo–packed episode. From the rise to the downfall — we unpack how the Duong family built influence in San Leandro politics and trace Azevedo's wild ride: from the infamous "community freezer locker" idea, an inability to speak a human language, to the federal charges that brought everything crashing down.

What does this scandal mean for San Leandro's future? Who might fill his vacant council seat?

Plus, we dive into the aftermath of Prop. 50, ask whether there's a Zohran Mamdani emerging in the East Bay, and track the buzz around Eric Swalwell's rumored run for governor.

State and local political strategist Jason Overman joins us to unpack his time working alongside Sheng Thao and Andre Jones in Oakland politics — and why their recent corruption indictments left him feeling "deeply betrayed." Later, we break down gubernatiorial candidate Katie Porter's rough week on the campaign trail, Oakland's search for a new police chief, Ken Houston's clash with homeless advocates, and the upcoming No Kings rallies in the East Bay.

The shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk has shaken the nation—and this week, we're unpacking what it means closer to home. Guest co-hosts Trishala Vinnakota and Justin Berton join us to trace East Bay history of politically motivated killings and the rising hostility faced by local officials. Then, we dive into Oakland's new push to toughen its encampment policy and the Alameda County Board of Supervisors' audacious plan to raise campaign donor limits to levels unmatched anywhere in our local politics.

Legendary Politico and San Francisco Chronicle political reporter Carla Marinucci joins Steve Tavares and Trishala Vinnakota for a candid conversation on the state of journalism and unforgettable moments from her career. Hear Carla's stories about being summoned by Gov. Schwarzenegger about a negative story, being banned by the Obama White House, and more. Plus, we dish on Newsom vs. Trump, coverage of Barbara Lee's first 100 days as Oakland mayor, a break down a recent article on Alameda County Administrator Susan Muranishi's eye-popping salary and benefits, and Trishala really wants Rep. Ro Khanna to run for governor.

Anxieties are rising in the East Bay as communities brace for the possibility of federal immigration crackdowns under President Trump. With guest co-host Trishala Vinnakota, we unpack California's upcoming effort to redraw its congressional maps, Alameda County's scramble to expand immigrant services, Trump's threat to deploy the National Guard in Oakland, and mounting concerns that the former federal women's prison in Dublin could be converted into an ICE detention center.

Former San Leandro Councilmember Lee Thomas of GrilleeQ joins the show this week—not to grill meat—but to help Steve Tavares and Dan Mendoza grill politicians. On the agenda: The potential costs of the lawsuit filed by San Leandro's former city manager; a local angle to the suddenly wide-open gubernatorial race; plus much more.