June primary filing deadline looms

Alameda County is having trouble getting in touch with rent relief applicants

ELECTION 2022

—DEADLINES! DEADLINES!—We are just three days—and in some other cases—five days away from the filing deadline for the June 7 primary. As of Tuesday, there remains some prominent candidates with work to do before they finalize a place on the ballot.

—Three months ago, the open Alameda County Board of Supervisors seat in District 3 was easily the most anticipated race on the June primary slate. Since the incumbent will not be in this race, the filing deadline is extended to Wednesday, Mar. 16. Other races, however, have roughly 72 hours before the Friday filing deadline. Nevertheless, this county supervisor race could be a low-key race with Oakland Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan being the overwhelming favorite to finish in first-place.

—Only David Kakishiba, a former Oakland school boardmember, is officially on the ballot. Kaplan is nearly done, but Lena Tam, a former Alameda councilmember, and Surlene Grant, a former San Leandro councilmember, still have more work to do.

CLICK HERE FOR THE PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATES IN EVERY ALAMEDA COUNTY RACE FOR THE JUNE AND NOVEMBER ELECTIONS

—Perhaps the biggest surprise is the name that has not yet pulled papers, as of Tuesday afternoon. Alameda Councilmember Malia Vella, a definite front-runner, has been strongly contemplating a run for the seat left vacated after Wilma Chan’s tragic death.

—Two issues could be in play for Vella: 1) She put a lot of political capital into her campaign last year against Mia Bonta in the 18th Assembly District Special Election and lost in the primary. Attempting to run for supervisor and losing could damage what is a very promising political career, at least, limiting it to only city of Alameda politics. 2) There’s also questions about just how strong unions like SEIU Local 1021 will support Kaplan. Vella’s greatest strength is her strong ties to labor.

—The race for Alameda County Sheriff-Coroner, also a highly-anticipated campaign at the start of the year, now looks mundane...

MORE IN THIS ISSUE: Breakdowns for ALCO Sheriff/DA ballots | Three Races Where Lone GOPers Are Dem Kingmakers | Steve Glazer | County’s Rental Relief Woes|