New district. Who dis?

SD5 candidate needs a crash course in Alameda County politics; Ceasefire on the way back to Oakland, mayor wants power to pick police chief; Roger Stone investigated for Swalwell assassination comment

Fifth State Senate District candidate Carlos Villapudua clearly missed the meet-and-greet with former Alameda County Democratic Party Chair Robin Torello (inset).

ELECTION 2024

48 days to Primary Day

5TH STATE SENATE DISTRICT

—RED ROBIN—For nearly all of this century, Robin Torello has led the Alameda County Democratic Party. But a candidate in the Tri-Valley’s 5th State Senate District, who hails from San Joaquin County, told Torello that he didn’t know who she was.

—The exchange, which occurred at an endorsement meeting for the Tri-Valley Democratic Club on Monday night underscores concerns that Carlos Villapudua, a Central Valley assemblymember seeking promotion to the state Senate this year, needs a crash course in Alameda County politics.

—Recall that Villapudua, a Democrat, intended to run for re-election in the 13th Assembly District. His wife, meanwhile, laid the groundwork over the past year to seek the open seat in the 5th State Senate District.

—That was the plan until just days before the filing deadline in early December when polling indicated the Villapuduas chances might be better if they switched races.

—The move created a domino effect and thrusted recently retired Democratic Rep. Jerry McNerney into the race for the 5th District.

—McNerney knows the lay of the land in east county, having lived in the Tri-Valley and represented the region during his time in Congress.

—Not so with Villapudua, who admitted during the meeting that his knowledge of the Tri-Valley is a work in progress.

—All seemed to be going well for Villapudua until Torello questioned why Planned Parenthood had endorsed McNerney and not him. Villapudua received a 100 percent score from the group in 2021 and 2023.

—McNerney boasted receiving a 100 percent rating. “My record speaks for itself,” McNerney said. “I think that’s why I received their endorsement.”

—But Villapudua chalked up losing out on the Planned Parenthood endorsement simply because of politics. Several members of McNerney’s congressional office now work for the organization, both candidates acknowledged.

—“I was in an election with no opponent and I still didn’t get the endorsement,” Villapudua lamented. “It’s just politics. I’m just being honest with you guys right here. You’re either going to vote for someone or you’re not.”

—“I have an A- rating, you know. So I don’t know what—what was your name, again?” Villapudua asked Torello.

—“Robin,” she coolly responded.

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