Candidates run a gauntlet of intense questioning by Alameda County supervisors

COUNTY NEWS

D2 APPOINTMENT

—MARCH MADNESS—There was much to be learned from the persistent questioning by Alameda County supervisors of four remaining candidates vying on Tuesday to be appointed to the late Richard Valle’s supervisorial seat.

—In the end, the quartet of candidates—Hayward Councilmember Elisa Marquez, Fremont Councilmember Teresa Keng, Chabot-Las Positas Community College District Trustee Harris Mojededi, and labor leader Ariana Casanova—withstood and, in some cases, shined after nearly four hours of grilling by county supervisors.

—Despite the onslaught of pointed questions, the county supervisors yet again did not publicly show their cards as to whom they may support.

—That moment is set for this Thursday afternoon when the board will meet to deliberate and likely make an appointment to the vacant District 2 seat that represents Hayward, Union City, Newark, and parts of Fremont.

—Most observers tab Marquez as the frontrunner and Tuesday’s interview session did little to change prevailing wisdom. Marquez’s answers were clipped, but often illustrated an understanding of county politics.

—Casanova came into Tuesday’s meeting as a great unknown. Although she has been a labor leader for many years in the East Bay for SEIU Local 1021, the political arena is a whole different animal. Casanova has never sought elected office.

—But while Casanova appeared nervous at the onset, once settled, she also communicated an understanding of a county supervisor’s role. However, questions about her move to District 2 just 11 days after Valle’s death remain unanswered.

—Keng, whose longshot chances appeared to improve since last week’s first round of voting, delivered an uneven performance that hit peaks when she was able to tie in her knowledge of Fremont with the supervisors’ questions, and hit valleys all other times.

—The one candidate who had very little to lose in this appointment process was the afternoon’s and evening’s biggest winner. Mojadedi blended the group’s most superior understanding of the role of supervisors with heartfelt personal stories that detailed specific county social services that had directly impacted and improved his life as a young person.

—Several supervisors, especially Keith Carson, appeared genuinely delighted with Mojadedi’s performance. However, he remains a longshot in a field of candidates that is artificially tilted by business interests and labor unions for Marquez and Casanova.

MORE INSIDE FROM TUESDAY’S APPOINTMENT INTERVIEWS. SUBSCRIBE TODAY!