Who wants to be Alameda County supervisor in District 2?
Seven applicants will vie for Valle's supervisorial seat over the next two weeks
COUNTY NEWS
DISTRICT 2 APPOINTMENT
—MARCH MADNESS BEGINS—Seven candidates officially filed applications for the Alameda County Board of Supervisors seat in District 2 once held by the late Supervisor Richard Valle.
—The group of applicants hail from every city in the district and reflect its unique racial diversity.
—What comes next? According to the timeline offered by the county administrator, the Board of Supervisors could meet next Tuesday, Mar. 21, for a special meeting to select finalists for the appointment.
—The number of candidates interviewed could be as many as five. During the 2012 appointment process in District 2, four were interviewed.
—The Board of Supervisor could make the appointment as early as Mar. 30 with a swearing-in on April 4.
—But so much is bound to occur over the next two weeks. Below is thumbnail profiles on each of the seven candidates. On Friday morning, I’ll have a more detailed scouting report, along with the potential storylines.
Ariana Casanova, SEIU Local 1021 organizer
Serves as political coordinator and field representative for SEIU Local 1021 since 2009. The union is one of Hayward’s largest public employee unions.
Has lived in District 2 for less than one month.
Three highest priorities: Protecting safety net programs, public safety for all, and environmental justice.
“My March 2024 campaign for County Supervisor will be my first run for political office,” she wrote in the application.
“I am seeking appointment to continue the legacy of Supervisor Richard Valle and support the Board’s vision for vibrant, healthy, and just communities.”
Teresa Keng, Fremont councilmember
Elected to the Fremont City Council short-term seat in 2018, won re-election in 2020. Ran unsuccessfully in the 24th Assembly District primary in 2022.
Also owns Milk and Honey Cafe in Fremont.
Three highest priorities: Expanding compassionate care and social services, bringing a brighter future for our youth; and building partnerships to take on our housing, homelessness, and health challenges.
Elisa Marquez, Hayward councilmember
Appointed to Hayward City Council in 2014 to serve remainder of new mayor’s term. Won re-election in 2016 and 2020.
Three highest priorities: Housing affordability, safety as a right for all, protecting the county’s financial future as we transition out of Covid-19.
“My entire life has been dedicated to serving others. I’m considered ‘the glue that holds everything together’ in my family, my group of friends, and sometimes…even my community,” she wrote.
Jason Matthew Miguel, assistant civil engineer
Works for Santa Clara Valley Water District as an assistant civil engineer.
Serves as an alternate on the Alameda County Fire Department Advisory Commission in District 2.
Ran unsuccessfully for Newark City Council in 2020, and mayor in 2022.
Three highest priorities: homelessness, public safety and public resources.
Harris Mojadedi, Chabot-Las Positas Community College trustee
Appointed to the Chabot-Las Positas Community College Board of Trustees in February 2022 and won a full term in June 2022. Ran unsuccessfully for the Union City Council in 2018
Three highest priorities: public safety, refugee resettlement and immigration services, and career attainment and workforce development.
“I believe that I can be a unifying voice on the Board of Supervisors, and best advocate for the diverse constituencies of District 2,” he wrote.
Mark Salinas, Hayward mayor
Hayward mayor since January 2023. Served on the Hayward City Council from 2010-2014. Ran unsuccessfully for Hayward mayor in 2014, and returned the City Council in 2016-2022.
Unsure at this point whether he will continue with his teaching duties at Chabot College, if appointed.
Three highest priorities: “Affirm the work of the District 2 team and then launch a work plan so we can seamlessly serve constituents,” and eliminate poverty and end hunger.
“The prospects of working with you and serving the county I was born and raised in, simply put, would be an honor and privilege,” he wrote.
Tom Wong, businessman
CEO of Red Dragon Private Security and the Special Weapons and Tactics Academy
Unsuccessfully ran in the 14th Congressional District in the June 2022 primary, and was a candidate for the Hayward school board in the November 2022 General Election.
Three highest priorities: Housing, safe streets, and homelessness.
“Together we can promote economic vibrancy to benefit all Alameda County residents. We can encourage companies to relocate here,” he wrote.
—2023-2024 EAST BAY CANDIDATE LIST (U.S. Senate, Congress, Alameda County supervisor)
FACTS & FIGURES
—Most of the candidates filed their applicants on Mar. 13 or the Mar. 14 deadline day. Elisa Marquez filed on Mar. 8. Tom Wong filed on Mar. 10.
—The spread between the candidate who has lived in District 2 the longest and the shortest is wide. Mark Salinas has lived in District for 52 years. Ariana Casanova has living in District 2 for 25 days.
—Four of the seven candidates currently serve as elected officials—Salinas, Marquez, Keng, and Mojadedi. Only Ariana Casanova has never run for elected office.
—The list of candidates includes every city in District 2. Four live in Hayward (Salinas, Marquez, Wong, and Casanova). Jason Matthew Miguel lives in Newark. Teresa Keng lives in Fremont. Harris Mojadedi lives in Union City.
—Elisa Marquez is the only candidate in the field to have never lost a race for elected office.
—If the demographic sweet spot in District 2 is being a Latina, then Elisa Marquez and Ariana Casanova have a leg up on the competition.
—Ariana Casanova, as an employee of SEIU Local 1021 is clearly the most labor-friendly candidate in this field. But who is next is not clear. Harris Mojadedi? Elisa Marquez?
—With renters protections in unincorporated Alameda County a big issue right now, who is the most pro-tenant candidate? Maybe Elisa Marquez. Ariana Casanova, too, although she has no record. Who is the most pro-landlord candidate? Mark Salinas and Tom Wong.
—Only Ariana Casanova and Harris Mojadedi referenced Richard Valle, the previous holder of this seat, in their application.