ELECTION 2022
ALAMEDA MAYOR
—TRISH4U—A rematch of the contentious 2018 Alameda mayoral race is imminent. Councilmember Trish Herrera Spencer pulled papers on Wednesday to challenge incumbent Alameda Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft.
—The tables though will be turned in 2022. Four years ago, Ashcraft upset then-Mayor Spencer in a campaign that was at times testy.
—Spencer then won a seat on the Alameda City Council two years ago and the pair have not always gotten along, but their public interactions have been mostly cordial.
—Almost immediately after losing to Ashcraft in 2018, Spencer plotted a return to office. The once self-proclaimed “people’s mayor” for months had similarly been chatting up a possibly run against Ashcraft this fall.
—If anything, the thinking went, to block Ashcraft from running unopposed or against token competition. A candidate named Barack D. Obama Shaw is the only other potential candidate to pull papers, as of this week.
—In the aftermath of the 2018 election, Spencer reserved her last moments as mayor to slam Ashcraft’s campaign. Spencer suggested Ashcraft had waged a disrespectful campaign, and hinted she lacked integrity.
—Over the years, Spencer has been a polarizing force in Alameda politics. During an era when the progressive movement was taking hold on the city council, Spencer’s populist streak led her to electoral success. She is the darling of the limited growth crowd in Alameda and often a bulwark against public employee unions.
—Those stances, meanwhile, have long pushed progressives and union leaders to label Spencer an obstructionist. But there is no doubt that Spencer may be both Alameda’s most popular elected official and its most disliked.
—PULLING PAPERS—Below is the list of prospective candidates who recently pulled papers. Note: Alameda County’s filing deadline is Friday, Aug. 12. If the incumbent in a race does not file, then the deadline is Wednesday, Aug. 17. *Incumbent.
ALAMEDA MAYOR—Trish Herrera Spencer.
ALAMEDA SCHOOL BOARD—Ryan Lalonde, Leland Treiman.
EAST BAY MUD BOARD OF DIRECTORS—April Chan (District 7).
CHABOT-LAS POSITAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT—Harris Mojadedi (Area 3).
PERALTA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT—Louis Quindlen (Area 3).
CASTRO VALLEY SCHOOL BOARD—Tina Sachs.
DUBLIN SCHOOL BOARD—Dan Cherrier (Area 5).
HAYWARD SCHOOL BOARD—Thomas Wong.
LIVERMORE VALLEY JOINT SCHOOL BOARD—Alexandria Izarraraz, Kristina Mazaika, Stephanie Sanchez.
—MONEYBALL—20th Assembly District candidate Shawn Kumagai received a maxed out $9,700 contribution on Wednesday from Northern California Carpenters Regional Council Small Contributor Committee.
DATEBOOK
OAKALND
—ROUND 1—The first big Oakland mayoral candidate forum of the November election cycle is coming this week. The Melrose 27x Neighborhood Council is holding a forum this Thursday, July 28 at Fremont High School in Oakland, 6 p.m.
SAN LEANDRO
—MEET & GREET—San Leandro Democratic Club is holding a virtual meet and greet tonight featuring the fall’s mayoral and city council candidates at 6:30 p.m. For more information, go to sanleandrodemocraticclub.com.
**Note: Today’s newsletter is a bit short. That’s because it’s unofficially sponsored by Brooklyn Basin and their ability to shut off a piercing fire alarm for more than two hours today. Libby the dog was also not happy. Meanwhile, expect a double issue tomorrow!