East Bay Insiders

With Dan Mendoza away in D.C., Steve Tavares and Shawn Wilson went old school with insights on the U.S. Attorney's target letter to San Leandro Councilmember Bryan Azevedo, San Leandro's mayor calling the city poor and striving to be average, the Trump administration's assault on local funding and sanctuary cities, and the surprising removal of Hayward's city manager.

The East Bay Insiders couples retreat in Mexico was a success. They let us back into America. We play some catch-up with San Leandro Councilmember Bryan Azevedo's excruciatingly bad TV interview; Oakland's budget situtation, Alameda County Dems bid to censure Eric Swalwell and Raj Rajwan, Pamela Price's new club, plus East Bay MUD's parking space-gate, and much more.

Progressive icon Barbara Lee is Oakland's next mayor. How did Lee hold off Loren Taylor's upstart campaign, and how will she tackle the city's pressing issues? Like Oakland, Pleasanton is facing a significant budget shortfall. So why were Pleasanton officials so fixated on orange signage at a gas station? Horse racing is a thing of the past at the Alameda County Fairgrounds, and why was Shawn Wilson so persistent about wrapping up this episode?

Oakland's special mayoral election is suddenly a close race. We break down what Barbara Lee and Loren Taylor need to do to win on April 15. Later, the behavior of elected officials at taxpayer-paid conferences and the incidient involving a San Leandro councilmember. Plus, a segment on Oakland Councilmember Kenny Houston; and Shawn's late 80s rap knowledge.

While Oaklanders are figuring out who will be their next mayor, Interim Oakland Mayor Kevin Jenkins sat down with us for coffee in a wide-ranging interview. Jenkins, who also serves East Oakland's District 6 council seat, chatted about juggling two big jobs at once, the upcoming budget process, his optimism about the Coliseum deal, a casino by the airport, his background as a county staffer, and telling his son a tall tale about dropping 60 points in a basketball game.

Shawn Wilson was overjoyed to be back in his hometown of Hayward. At our live recording at historic Buffalo Bill's Brewery, Shawn came loaded with Hayward trivia and some friends. Cat Man, Mayor Mark Salinas and Councilmember Julie Roche stopped by before we chatted with State Sen. Aisha Wahab. The first-term state senator discussed her plans for Bay Area transit consolidation, Fremont's camping ban, and housing, her signature issue.

Recalled Alameda County DA Pamela Price is starting a podcast. Meanwhile, the newly appointed DA takes the reins. What does she need to do to stabilize the DAs office? Barbara Lee keeps making unforced errors. We take a look at recent polling that shows her support is dropping. Fremont wants to focus only on local issues. We talk about cats.

The big three applicants for the Alameda County DA appointment hit the stretch run to Tuesday's decision. We handicap the race. FBI raids come to San Leandro, and public doesn't seem to care. Plus, sanctuary cities, and Shawn makes his early Super Bowl picks.

The East Bay Insiders Podcast hits the road with a live recording in Castro Valley. Thank you to the Castro Valley/Eden Area Chamber of Commerce and the Moose Lodge for having us. There's a lot to talk about: The FBI raid in San Leandro, impending indictments, seven D.A. applicants move ahead to the interview stage of the appointment process, the Oakland special mayoral election, and the pending sale of the Oakland Coliseum. We also take a look at the issue of incorporation in Castro Valley.

We wrap up 2024 with the 2nd Annual Insidey Awards, recognizing the best and worst in Alameda County politics. Plus, we remember Rickey Henderson. Thank you for listening. See you next year!

INSIDEY NOMINEES

-Best Recall Campaign Pamela Price Sheng Thao Ryan Jergensen/Linda Hurley

-Best performance by an elected official Janani Ramachandran, Oakland George Syrop, Hayward Jack Balch, Pleasanton Nate Miley, Alameda County

-Best political appointment Melissa Hernandez, BART Kathy Kimberlin, Fremont Ana Apodaca, Newark Michael McCorriston, Dublin

-Worst performance by an elected official Pamela Price, Alameda County DA Sheng Thao, Oakland mayor Trish Spencer, Alameda councilwoman

-Best performance by a speaker in a public meeting Brian Donahue, Emeryville David McGuigan, Livermore Gene Hazard, Oakland Kelly Abreu, Fremont/Alamaeda County

-Most likely to succeed Adena Ishii, Berkeley Sbeydeh Viveros-Walton, San Leandro Dylan Boldt, San Leandro Raj Salwan, Fremont

-Best political campaign Recall of DA Pamela Price Jack Balch for Pleasanton mayor Adena Ishii for Berkeley mayor Nikki Fortunato Bas for ALCO supe

-Best Hair David Haubert, Alameda County supe Igor Tregub, Berkeley councilman Yang Shao, Fremont councilman John Bauters, Emeryville councilman

-Best Fight Seneca Scott vs. Ray Bobbitt Brian Donahue vs. John Bauters supporter Bryan Azevedo vs. Lee Thomas Seneca Scott vs. Sheng Thao supporters