East Bay Citizen Podcast

Season 5 Premiere Episode! We're back and well-rested after a grueling June primary season and ready for the November election. Shawn Wilson vacationed in Mexico, Steve Tavares became a fan of ASMR. Recorded in Oakland's Jack London Square, we talk about the city's chronic problems, the Foot Massage Special Tax, in addition, to an in-depth look at gaffe-prone San Leandro mayoral candidate Bryan Azevedo. 

Upsets were aplenty, money was spent unwisely, progressives and labor candidates prospered, and a number of races will head to November rematches. We break down how Yesenia Sanchez defeated Alameda County Sheriff Greg Ahern, and other races in a thrilling June primary election season.

We took the East Bay Insiders to Twitter Space so our listeners could ask us questions about the June primary ballot, then we couldn't figure out how to allow people to talk. No problem, we laid out the latest narratives in all the Alameda County races this June, and more. Don't forget to vote!

We move to the local races in the state Legislature that feature potentially expensive November rematches in the 20th Assembly District and 10th State Senate District. Shawn and I also look at Fremont's 24th Assembly District races, and Alameda County Board of Education and superintendent of schools contests, along with a report on the Alameda County Dems in disarray.

With vote-by-mail ballots in your possession, this is why you listen to the East Bay Insiders podcast. In Part 1 of our East Bay June Primary Preview, Shawn and I break down the big Alameda County District Attorney race, Alameda County Sheriff contest, and the campaign to replace Wilma Chan on the Alameda County Board of Supervisors in District 3. We also take a look at some of best and worst mailers of the primary season. Listen to Part 2 on Thursday (AD20, SD10, AD24, Education races)

Just minding our own business in downtown Livermore when Alameda County Board of Education candidate Eric Dillie and possible Livermore mayoral candidate Mony Nop dropped by to talk about Livermore's parcel tax measure, Eric's campaign, the Alameda County DA "sh*tshow," as Shawn Wilson calls it, and much more!

The mask mandate in Alameda County is gone and more changes toward a return to normalcy are being seen in local government, including pandemic-era housing moratoriums. San Leandro's councilmember-in-chief called the White House and held a rally for Ukraine, and we further breakdown the latest developments in the big Alameda County DA's race, and much more.

Former San Leandro Councilmember Ed Hernandez on the state of the city's politics and being called a "sore loser," plus a cameo appearance from 20th Assembly District candidate Shawn Kumagai, and we break down the newest candidates in the Alameda County Board of Supervisors race. 

The Season 4 premiere features a breakdown of the money situation in several big East Bay political races, including ALCO Sheriff Greg Ahern's big haul from car dealers; Shawn Wilson's shiner; Ro Khanna's new book; ALCO Supervisor Dave Brown's film aspirations; Valentine's Day plans, and more from the Bryan Azevedo Comedy Show. 

The Season 3 finale is chocked full of news, analysis, and comedy. The latter compliments of a San Leandro councilmember who told his constituents that he would defend them from a tsunami. This episode includes discussion on the Alameda County DA and sheriff's race, assembly and state senate contests, and much more.

Holiday cheer abounds as Steve Tavares and Shawn Wilson talk about Christmas shopping, the repeated tragedies involving pedestrian violence, the newly-redrawn county lines and the East Bay 20th Assembly District and 10th State Senate District maps, Assemblymember Bill Quirk's retirement, along with some Christmas carolling.

The state and federal redistricting maps are nearly finalized. Steve Tavares and Shawn Wilson break down the proposed boundaries for the East Bay Assembly and state Senate seats and what they mean for elections over the next decade, and more.

We dedicate this episode to Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan, who was tragically killed on Nov. 3. We look back at her long legacy of fighting for the most vulnerable among us. And what comes next? We also look at the possible candidates for appointment and the ramifications for the Board of Supervisors and her district's residents.

Fremont Councilmember Raj Salwan is a veterinarian by day and likable elected official by night. We jam him up about what goes on behind the doors at your pet's vet appointment, in addition, to a discussion about the growing, but stalling, Indian American political power in the Tri-Cities, and what might be really going down with Fremont's city manager scandal. 

Under a new state law, former San Leandro Councilmember Lee Thomas's home BBQ business GrilleeQ is the first permitted micro-business in Alameda County. He talks San Leandro politics, including the infamous controversy over his fence, and offers new insights into the furor back in 2018. Lee also brought a selection of grilled sausages and beer with him for good measure,

Alameda County Assessor Phong La is the elected offices who determines the value of your property. A valuable property is good until your property tax bill arrives. But despite the sleepy bureaucratic office he holds, La is viewed as one of Alameda County's rising political stars. He chats about Chinatown's rise in crime, assessing Howard Terminal, along with some of the local upcoming races, among other issues.

The second half of our interview with former Oakland Councilmember Ignacio De La Fuente includes his stated interest in running for Oakland mayor in 2022. "Why not give it one last shot? I have nothing to lose, nothing to gain, so I will have the freedom to f--cking blow this sh-t up and rebuild." he says. In addition, he details his advocacy for A's great Ricky Henderson to run for the same seat, and IDLF's further insights on Oakland city politics.

Oakland City Council legend Ignacio De La Fuente has much to say about the proposed Howard Terminal ballpark term sheet and even more about the current City Council in Part 1 of this special edition episode. "The council and the mayor, they are nice individuals, but they have no f-----g clue," he said. --Coming Wednesday, De La Fuente weighs in on the state of Oakland, while again mulling a run for mayor next year.

After a disappointing result in the recent 18th Assembly District special election primary, Alameda Vice Mayor Malia Vella offers her inside view of her own campaign and her opponents, and handicaps the Aug. 31 special election runoff. Will she offer an endorsement in the race?