East Bay Insiders

On this week's East Bay Insiders, we're giving listeners a preview of After Hours—our subscriber-only deep dive where the conversation gets a little looser and a lot more insidey.

Steve Tavares and Jason Teramoto chop it up on Castro Valley's recurring push for incorporation, what it was like growing up there in the '80s and '90s, and—yes—the possible existence of Stranger Things-style creatures lurking in the hills.

Plus, a must-hear segment with Lee Thomas and Mike Hutchinson, who walks through his surreal 2022 school board race, when the Alameda County registrar certified the wrong winner—forcing him to go to court to secure a victory he had already earned.

And in the main episode, Steve Tavares, Trishala Vinnakota, and Justin Berton break down Rep. Ro Khanna's comments about a potential 2028 presidential run—and why his vision for a multiracial, economic-forward America may be more politically savvy than it sounds.

Subscribe to unlock the full After Hours episode and get the complete conversation.

Eric Swalwell's political career has come to an abrupt and stunning end—but for some, the warning signs were there all along.

In this episode, former Pete Stark staffer Jason Teramoto revisits the 2012 congressional campaign that launched Swalwell's rise, sharing behind-the-scenes insights and allegations that, he says, were known at the time but largely ignored. From documented concerns during the campaign to a bizarre MTV Spring Break prank, Teramoto argues the recent, shocking allegations didn't come out of nowhere.

Instead, he points to a deeper, more troubling pattern: a political ecosystem where insiders "knew," but power, ambition, and expediency allowed Swalwell's ascent to continue unchecked.

A once ascending political career is on the brink of collapse. In this episode, we break down the mounting sexual misconduct claims facing Eric Swalwell. In addition to his gubernatorial campaign, does it force a resignation from Congress?

We dig into the long-running whispers that dogged Swalwell for years. What does this moment reveal about power, privilege, and the protection men often receive in politics?

Join host Steve Tavares, a longtime chronicler of Swalwell's rise and unraveling, alongside Trishala Vinnakota and Justin Berton, for a candid, no-holds-barred conversation on what comes next—and what it all says about the system that enabled it.

Oakland Unified is at a crossroads—and the stakes couldn't be higher. This week, Oakland school boardmember Mike Hutchinson joins the podcast for a blunt conversation about OUSD's deepening budget crisis, and whether the district is inching toward another era of receivership.

Hutchinson doesn't hold back, delivering sharp criticism about fellow elected officials up and down the Oakland political ladder, while once again calling for the interim superintendent to resign.

Plus, Lee Thomas joins as co-host to break down and weigh in on San Leandro's growing police department scandal, what's emerging, and why it matters beyond city limits.

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We break down the latest twists in California's governor's race—why Eric Swalwell continues to dodge sustained scrutiny, whether Matt Mahan's big-money campaign is failing to translate into real support. Plus, our early predictions for where the race is headed.

We also dive into Oakland's growing debate over the strong mayor system, and Mayor Barbara Lee's new plan to tackle homelessness, plus a different take on the city celebrating Alysa Liu and Ryan Coogler.

Finally, we cover James Aguilar's appointment to the San Leandro City Council following Bryan Azevedo's resignation amid an FBI probe—and what it means for local governance moving forward.

For more from this week's episode, read the East Bay Insiders Newsletter for an extra segment of the podcast at EBI After Hours.

San Leandro City Councilmember Xouhoa Bowen joins the program for an unflinching and deeply personal conversation about the inequities—and consequences—women still face in local politics.

Bowen recounts being assaulted by an elected official while attending a city-sponsored event in Florida, and the isolating aftermath that followed.

She also speaks candidly about the blowback she faced after filing formal complaints alleging bullying, gender bias, and other misconduct by two colleagues on the San Leandro City Council—and how the cumulative trauma pushed her to the brink of resignation.

We also examines the legacy and fallout surrounding former San Leandro Councilmember Bryan Azevedo, who recently resigned from office and pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud charges.

Former Oakland City Councilmember Loren Taylor joins the show to break down a busy week in East Bay politics.

We unpack new developments in the East Bay's federal corruption case, including insights from last week's court hearing and what to expect next with Bryan Azevedo's upcoming appearance.

Loren also offers an insider's view of the first major gubernatorial debate, new candidates entering the race, and how the field may evolve through June.

Plus, updates on the CA14 and SD10 races, a closer look at Union City candidate Scott Sakakihara's Palantir ties, and thoughts on Floyd Mitchell's move to Fremont, and Loren's insights on the clash over Oakland Ken Houston'sEncampment Abatement Policy at City Hall.

Former Alameda City Councilmember Malia Vella joins the show with Steve Tavares and Trishala Vinnakota for a wide-ranging conversation about the state of Alameda and what comes next for the city, and whether she has plans for a new chapter in her political service.

Vella reflects on her time in office and offers a candid assessment of where Alameda stands today, from its two business districts to the ongoing evolution of Alameda Point. She weighs in on road-calming projects, the tensions they create, and how cities balance safety, commerce, and community buy-in.

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.

East Bay Insiders Podcast 3rd Annual Insidey Awards honoring the highs and lows in East Bay politics in 2025. Follow along with the list of this year's nominees:

—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