5 Takeaways from SD10 Debate
Kepner and Cohen emerge as standout performers as candidates clash over housing, Elon Musk, and local control in the wide open SD10 primary race
☕️MORNING BUZZ
Vol. VI, No. 1,264
🗓️25 days to June Primary
—Last weekend’s inaugural East Bay Insiders debate showed the candidates in the open 10th State Senate District race are entering the campaign’s final stretch sharp and prepared.
—The debate, hosted by East Bay Insiders and Sprinkler Fitters & Apprentices Local 483 in Hayward, featured Democrats Anne Kepner, David Cohen, Scott Sakakihara, Raymond Liu, and Carmen Montano.
—Here’s five takeaways from the debate hosted by East Bay Insiders and Sprinkler Fitters & Apprentices Local 483 in Hayward:
(📺Watch the full debate below.)
Among the field, many observers viewed West Valley-Mission Community College Trustee Anne Kepner and San Jose Councilmember David Cohen as the strongest performers. Kepner projected confidence and command of the issues, though some may have interpreted it as overly forceful. Cohen, meanwhile, offered nuanced and detailed responses throughout the evening.
Union City Councilmember Scott Sakakihara largely avoided direct attacks over his previous work at Palantir and the company’s ties to ICE, although Fremont Councilmember Raymond Liu made an indirect reference to it during his closing remarks. Sakakihara at times faded into the background during portions of the debate, despite emphasizing housing affordability as his top issue and advocating for aggressive transit-oriented housing development.
The liveliest exchange came during a discussion about Elon Musk and economic inequality. Milpitas Mayor Carmen Montano criticized Musk as disconnected from working-class concerns, while Sakakihara bluntly remarked, “I really hate that guy.” The discussion also gave Kepner an opening to support a proposed “Billionaires Tax,” arguing artificial intelligence could hollow out industries much like the decline of the Rust Belt.
Housing affordability emerged as a major dividing line. Cohen argued cities do not build housing—developers do—and called for a statewide housing bond to subsidize construction. Liu boiled his position down to “Build, baby, build.” Kepner said high housing costs recently pushed her daughter out of California and argued projects need to move faster before they become financially infeasible. Montano, the clearest moderate in the field, criticized Sacramento’s erosion of local control and said state housing mandates are being “shoved down” cities’ throats.
Despite making some of their final pitches before voters, none of the candidates endorsed a gubernatorial candidate in the still-competitive Democratic primary. Liu said he was leaning toward former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, while Kepner noted she had previously endorsed Betty Yee before Yee exited the race.
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⊕MORE INSIDE
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Controversial EBMUD dirt hauling plan pulled from Castro Valley MAC agenda.
CITY NEWS: Houston on Oakland Police Commission charter amendment: ‘I don’t have the votes.’
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Fremont weighs ‘ICE-Free Zone’ ordinance following Alameda County’s lead.
CAMPAIGN FINANCE: Form 497 large campaign contributions and Form 496 expenditures filed on May 7.
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