San Leandro Voter's Guide: 2024 General Election

As your local advocate and community organizer, I'm here to bring you the only comprehensive guide for San Leandro voters, election after election. I'm here to help you decide what to vote for (or against) along with reasons and receipts. This will be a long post, so buckle up! I'm starting with the local San Leandro and district elections first, then county races and measures, then ballot propositions, and then finally the statewide and federal offices. If you're strapped for time, you can find the TL;DR / CliffsNotes version just below and then check out the details further down at your leisure. NB: this does not include any candidates that are uncontested so won't be on your ballots, but feel free to reach out if you'd like information about them too.

City Offices
City Council District 2, Bryan Azevedo
City Council District 4, Fred Simon
City Council District 6, Robert Bulatao

District Offices
EBMUD Director Ward 5, Alex Spehr 1st and Jim Oddie 2nd
East Bay Regional Park District Director Ward 4, Luana España
Member Board Of Directors Oro Loma Sanitary District, Moira "Mimi" Dean and Benny Lee

County Offices

Alameda County District Attorney Recall, No

State Propositions
Prop 2 $10B Education Facilities Bond, Yes
Prop 3 Marriage Equality, Yes
Prop 4 $10B Water Infrastructure and Parks Bond, Yes
Prop 5 Lower Voting Threshold to 55% for Housing and Infrastructure Bonds, Yes
Prop 6 Abolish Slavery in California Prisons, Yes
Prop 32 Raise the Minimum Wage, Yes
Prop 33 Allow Local Governments to Expand Rent Control, Yes
Prop 34 Grudge Measure against AIDS Healthcare Foundation, No
Prop 35 Extend Funding for Medi-Cal, Yes
Prop 36 Treat Misdemeanors as Felonies, No

State Offices

Assembly District 20, Liz Ortega

State Senate District 9, Marisol Rubio

Federal Offices

12th Congressional District, Lateefah Simon
US Senate, Adam Schiff (x2)

US President, Kamala Harris (with Vice President Tim Walz)

My local recommendations are based on direct experience working with many of the candidates, players, organizers, residents, and other stakeholders, but I also keep receipts on my blog for future reference. Additionally, I review local media and subject matter experts for more niche races, as described and linked below. However, for my general overview reference points, please see the Progressive Voters Guide, CalMatters Voter Guide, and the official Alameda County election website. I also always consider individual guides like those by KQED, the San Francisco League of Pissed Off Voters, and Bay Rising Action, which are especially wonderful for statewide and countywide issues.

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For San Leandro City Council, District 2: Bryan Azevedo

Even if you don't consider yourself to be politically active, I can almost guarantee you've heard about the conflict between disgraced former city councilman Ed Hernandez and our current District 2 incumbent, Bryan Azevedo. But let's start with the issues: Bryan supports affordable housing, tenant protections, a living wage, organized labor, reducing crime, improving public safety, cleaning up our city streets, protecting our environment, helping our homeless neighbors, and expanding community engagement. And he's got the record to prove it, from the Safety Ambassador Program to the Mental Health First Response Program, as well as hundreds of community events over the past decade delivering food to the needy and connecting residents with critical service providers. Azevedo helped usher in civilian police oversight and the hiring of a new police chief without compromising on accountability for violent crime or police misconduct. Azevedo is a fourth-generation San Leandran who has spent his entire life in service leadership to the people of this city, personally fielding more constituent calls for help than anyone I've ever met in politics.

True, he's not a slick speaker or fancy professional. He's literally a blue-collar guy who stepped up to help our community when city hall wasn't. He's the kind of person who will help get the garbage off your street, make sure someone checks on your grandmother, talk your ass off about sports, and then quietly balance the city's budget while expanding innovative programs. He's not flashy or erudite. He's a union guy who doesn't care about being a polished politician because he's honest, direct, and no-nonsense. I have had the pleasure of partnering with Azevedo on a number of community organizing projects, from protecting low-income mobile-home residents to building accessible parks, and he always put the interests of the people of our city ahead of his own, even when it hurt him politically or personally. That's why he won the endorsement of the members of the San Leandro Democratic Club. That's why he's been endorsed by IFPTE Local 21, as well as dozens of local businesses and hundreds of community leaders.

It's telling though just how much this threatens his opponents, who have lied about him in the press, harassed his family, called his wife racist slurs, attacked his supporters, and have worked to destroy everything he does to better our community. But despite all that, Azevedo is just good at his job of serving the people of San Leandro and that's more than I can say about his opponent.

Ed Hernandez lost his seat in 2020 because he lied to constituents about accepting donations from the comprised SLPOA. Because he cared more about corporate developers who ultimately failed the Marina project than the voters struggling with housing and healthcare costs. Since then, he's allegedly violated campaign finance rules, opposed affordable housing, spreading lies about police staffing and crime rates, as well as proposing wasting precious public funds on dangerous projects, among other things. On top of all that, Hernandez has allegedly been working to set up Azevedo in a series of stunts alongside Mayor Gonzalez, local journalist Steven Tavares, and others. These tactics ratcheted up at the local San Leandro library, almost devolving into violence, where Hernandez supporters tried to help him cheat the SLDC endorsement process (like when Hernandez refused to resign as club president while running for elected office and competing in their candidate forum). Suffice to say, it was a colossal embarrassment for our city by grown-ass men who should've known better.

If you're tired of toxic politics and fake politicians, join me in voting for someone who actually cares about building a better San Leandro for everyone. Vote for Bryan Azevedo.

For San Leandro City Council, District 4: Fred Simon

This race is unopposed, but should still appear on your ballot. Fred Simon has been a progressive voice for diversity, equity, and inclusion, supporting police reform, fixing loopholes in protections for mobile home residents, addressing the dangers of climate change in city infrastructure, improving our water systems, building more affordable housing, and completing a navigation center to help our homeless neighbors. Like other allies of Azevedo, Simon has been smeared in the press and on social media by radicals and extremists who opposed those policies. But I've worked with him personally on many community initiatives and found him to be knowledgeable and compassionate. I'm glad he'll be serving a second term.

For San Leandro City Council, District 6: Robert Bulatao

This was a tough one to call, but ultimately I believe in political newcomer Robert Bulatao. He's a PTO president, community activist, a cancer survivor. Bulatao is a fierce advocate for affordable housing, rent stabilization, tenant protections, fixing our schools, police reform, political accountability, a living wage, and expanding access to healthcare. He's endorsed by local Filipino leaders like Grandmaster Jordan Pallen and former SLUSD school board member Henry Almante, as well as organizations like the California Working Families Party and East Bay Stonewall Democratic Club.

Admittedly, he's new to politics and government, but he's not new to fighting for social and economic justice. Bulatao hasn't had an illustrious career in public service because he's been struggling for his life against leukemia, raising a family, getting an education, and now stepping into leadership roles with multiple community organizations. If elected, he'd be the first Filipino on our city council as well as one of the youngest people ever to serve. After decades of establishment figures waltzing into positions of power, propelled by rich folks in the Broadmoor and Estudillo Estates, it's time we get someone who represents the future and the diversity of San Leandro. Someone who's willing to fight against obstructionism and who's willing to hold others accountable as much as themselves. Robert Bulatao is the right choice for San Leandro in 2024.

For EBMUD Director, Ward 5: Alex Spehr 1st and Jim Oddie 2nd

For such a seemingly minor race, there sure is a fair amount of competition! Usually, these are unopposed. As you know, EBMUD provides most of the water and sewage services to us here in San Leandro. As a result, EBMUD’s board holds significant power over our water supply and wastewater management. Notably, of the three candidates running, only Alex Spehr responded to a request for information about their positions. Spehr wants to implement rate reductions and improve pricing schedules so that the burden does not fall on low-income families but does fall mostly on heavier users. Her background is in engineering, but just as many of her positions are also informed by being a parent. I believe she would bring some new energy and valuable expertise to a board that is often filled with the same faces. However, Jim Oddie is definitely a close 2nd for me. He's a former Bob Bonta staffer, former Chair of the Alameda City’s Open Government Commission where he worked to keep their hospital open, and a former City of Alameda Councilmember. While I'm not exactly sure what gives him expertise in water and sewage management, he certainly has good general experience in public service and administration. Still, choose Spehr for Ward 5 and keep Oddie as your backup.

For East Bay Regional Park District Director, Ward 4: Luana España

If you've ever gone to Oyster Bay, Lake Chabot, or any of the other county parks in San Leandro, then you know how important it is for us to have someone qualified and experienced serving as director for our ward with EBRPD. España has been defined by her passion for the outdoors, as an trailrunner as well as a member of the EBRPD advisory committee, the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council, and the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District advisory committee. She also has a Master's in Public Policy from Cal. Overall, I believe she would be a great person to help us preserve, protect, and improve our public lands and regional parks. 

For Members of the Board of Directors for the Oro Loma Sanitary District: Moira "Mimi" Dean and Benny Lee

Mimi Dean and Benny Lee are experienced community servants who are the best choices to represent us on the Oro Loma Sanitary District's Board of Directors. Dean is a longtime environmental activist who has been pushing for improvements to our water systems for years. Lee is a former San Leandro city councilmember and worked for the County of San Mateo, where he has championed data-driven decision-making using evidence-based practices. In races like this with little coverage or attention, these kinds of people can often make a huge difference in our community. Vote Dean and Lee for Oro Loma!

On the Alameda County District Attorney Recall: No

This is going to be controversial but stay with me here. So a group of conservatives and police zealots organized themselves as this group, Save Alameda for Everyone (SAFE), because they didn't like the reforms coming from Alameda County District Attorney, Pamela Price. Since then, a number of other regressive groups have latched on to this effort, from disaffected district attorneys who don't care about public safety to angry law enforcement unions who want more freedom to act above the law. If this passes, Price would lose her job and the county board of supervisors would need to pick an interim replacement until the next election in 2026. However, let's be clear here: Pamela Price is a damn good DA. She's exposed corruption that led to the DA's office discriminating against Black and Jewish jurors. She's pursued holding bad cops accountable for misconduct and brutality. Notably, she's continued to ensure that former SLPD officer Jason Fletcher faces his day in court for murdering Steven Taylor, despite the fraudulent actions of his defense team. As the first Black woman to be our DA, she's also worked to support victims and get them more support services, prosecute violent crimes, as well as tackle the root causes of most nonviolent crimes in the East Bay (e.g. poverty, substance addiction, lack of healthcare, poor education access). In fact, most crime is actually down across Alameda County, including Oakland and San Leandro. This recall is an undemocratic attempt to thwart the will of the voters by dark money groups who oppose improving public safety for everyone. Regardless of how you feel about crime right now, Pamela Price has earned her right to finish her first term in office.

On Proposition 2, Authorizing Bonds for Public School and Community College Facilities: Yes

It wouldn't be a California election without another school bond on the ballot. This one would issue $10 billion in bonds for rebuilding schools over 75 years old, lead remediation, seismic upgrades, broadband internet, and more. $8.5 billion is dedicated to K-12 facilities, with $1.5 billion for community colleges. Unfortunately, the funding formula is a little wacky. Only a few district can qualify for a hardship exemption and the rest are required to use 40-50% of local money for any project costs. This could continue and/or exacerbate existing education inequities, like for low-income and rural schools, which don't necessarily have enough local funds for projects covered by Prop 2. Still, any additional funds for schools are sorely needed right now to have clean, safe, and modern facilities.

On Proposition 3, Constitutional Right to Marriage: Yes

While California has recently led the way when it comes to marriage equality, Prop 3 would amend the state constitution to remove the bigoted Prop 8 language and replace it with a fundamental right to marry as part of the rights to enjoy life, liberty, safety, happiness, and privacy, with the right to equal protection and due process under the law. Notably, if the right to marry is overturned at the federal level by a regressive U.S. Supreme Court, then this could protect marriage equality here in California.

On Proposition 4, Authorizes Bonds for Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, and Protecting Communities and Natural Lands from Climate Risks: Yes

This would authorize $10 billion in bonds for us to continue combating the impacts of climate change. The money would be spent like this, with at least 40% specifically targeting low-income and at-risk communities:

$3.8B for safe drinking water, drought, flood, and water resilience programs.

$1.5B for wildfire and forest resilience programs

$1.2B for coastal resilience programs

$450M for extreme heat mitigation programs

$1.2B for biodiversity protection and nature-based climate solution programs

$300M for climate-smart, sustainable, and resilient farms, ranches, and working lands programs

$700M for park creation and outdoor access programs

$850M for clean air programs

Obviously, this is a good and necessary thing for our state! 

On Proposition 5, Allows Local Bonds for Affordable Housing and Public Infrastructure with 55% Voter Approval: Yes

Simply put, Prop 5 makes it easier for local governments to fund affordable housing and other infrastructure projects. After a group of conservatives who oppose development killed a regional bond measure, this became the next best option for localities to fund more housing so long as at least 55% of voters approve.

On Proposition 6, Eliminates Constitutional Provision Allowing Involuntary Servitude for Incarcerated Person: Yes

It's crazy that I even have to say this, but yes, slavery (AKA involuntary servitude) is still legal in California prisons. Prop 6 is our latest chance to finally end this horrendous practice in our carceral system. It would also prohibit the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from disciplining any incarcerated person for refusing a work assignment, yet authorize the department to award credits to incarcerated persons who voluntarily participate in work assignments. Notably, this change is one of the reparations priorities for the California Legislative Black Caucus, led by Lori Wilson (whose district in Suisun County has a state prison). People of Color are over-represented in our state’s carceral system, and while Black residents make up just 6% of the state's overall population, Black people make up 28% of the prison population. The moral decision here is stark and simple: vote yes to end slavery in California prisons.

On Proposition 32, Raises Minimum Wage: Yes

Currently, the California minimum wage is $16 an hour and San Leandro passed a law in 2023 that we would match the state's rate. However, that $16 an hour only comes out to just under $25,000 per year before taxes. (Assuming you're able to work full-time as an hourly employee.) Now, if you know anything about how expensive it is in San Leandro and the massive inflation the Bay Area has experienced, you'll realize that's not enough to rent even a 1-room studio. (Assuming we have any left.) It's past time we realize that instead of a minimum wage, we need a living wage! Let's at least start with Prop 32, which raises the state minimum wage to $18 an hour and keep it steady with inflation. Sure, it'll piss off our local Chamber of Commerce and the Executive Director there, Emily Griego. But it's the right thing to do for working families and low-income folks.

On Proposition 33, Expands Local Governments' Authority to Enact Rent Control on Residential Property: Yes

This would finally repeal the terrible Costa-Hawkins Rental Act of 1995, an old California chestnut that restricts the types of units eligible for rent stabilization. Costa-Hawkins is why single-family homes and buildings built after 1979 don’t have rent control in San Leandro, meaning corporations and firms can keep buying them, jacking up rents, and there's nothing to be done to stop them. Unless we pass Prop 33! It won’t directly change any local laws or enact rent control everywhere. It just lets cities make their own rules, like the current effort here in San Leandro to enact housing reform for rent stabilization, tenant protections and other much-needed changes. Don't be fooled by the well-funded disinformation campaign by landlord lobbies, real estate firms, and corporate developers. We need housing opportunity and protection for all, so let's get this done.

On Proposition 34, Restricts Spending of Prescription Drug Revenues by Certain Health Care Providers: No

This has nothing at all to do with actually improving our healthcare system. The entire proposition is just a pathetic trick by the real estate lobby to get revenge on the AIDS Healthcare Foundation -- the only organization that would actually be targeted by this law -- because they have been a stalwart supporter of rent stabilization and tenant protections. The whole point is to bankrupt them so they can no longer advocate on behalf of their patients and communities.

On Proposition 35, Provides Permanent Funding for Medi-Cal Health Care Services: Yes

This would raise money from a tax on certain medical insurance providers (not individuals) to hire more first responders and paramedics to reduce emergency response times, expand access to preventative health care, reduce wait times in emergency rooms, and for specific care such as family planning, cancer treatment, and mental health treatment. After the COVID-19 pandemic, we know how critical it is for us to have better and more affordable healthcare. I agree that it would be better if we could get more systemic changes to healthcare spending, but with the federal government currently in disarray due to Republic obstructionism, this is an easy yes to keep us moving forward.

On Proposition 36, Allows Felony Charges and Increases Sentences for Certain Drug and Theft Crimes: No

While it's no secret that crime remains a major concern here in San Leandro, the truth is that crime is actually down! Admittedly, it doesn't feel that way with all the posts from Nextdoor and Nixle, breathlessly reporting every single incident in a city of around 90,000 people. Still, any amount of crime is cause for concern. But this ballot proposition is a fearmongering attempt to roll back the public safety reforms we've fought hard to keep here in California. It would reclassify certain non-violent crimes from misdemeanors into felonies and increase sentences for those offenses. However, not only would Prop 36 cost hundreds of millions of dollars to process low-level offenders for stealing food or struggling with substance addiction, it wouldn't actually make us any safer. You can't arrest your way out of poverty, or mental illness, or homelessness, or failing schools, or lack of job opportunities, or crippling medical debt. Prison doesn't help teenagers get an education instead of going to sideshows. Jail doesn't help some of our neighbors get treatment for opioid addiction or mental illness. More arrests aren't going to stop people from stealing food to eat or clothes to wear because they can't even afford a place to live. Vote no on this regressive nonsense so we can keep working on real, substantive solutions.

For California State Assembly, District 20: Liz Ortega

Our current incumbent, Liz Ortega, is up for reelection. The past two years, she's accomplished so much, from bills to protect workers from pollutants, starting an affordable car insurance program for low-income Californians, and even expanding protections to those experiencing sex discrimination. In fact, Ortega authored 40 bills this past session, passing 15 with 13 pending. Another great thing is that her support doesn't come from lobbyists and corporations. It comes from unions, workers, and small-dollar donors. We definitely need to keep her in the Assembly to represent our interests.

For California State Senate, District 9: Marisol Rubio

Contrary to what you may have heard, only one of the candidates for this race has actually been a lifelong Democrat and that's Marisol Rubio. A former science teacher and currently on the San Ramon City Council, Rubio has been an advocate for women's reproductive rights, LGBTQIA+ rights, and environmentalism. After having to languish under the now termed-out Steve Glazer, who is a certified DINO (Democrat in Name Only, and has even gone on record defending slavery!), it would be nice to have a true liberal and progressive leader to represent us. Notably, Tim Grayson is decidedly not that person. He's a former Republican who changed parties because he couldn't get elected to the Assembly otherwise and is covertly a conservative in much the same way as San Leandro's own Councilmember Pete Ballew, from District 6. Rubio fights for affordable homes, affordable healthcare, and better education for our children. She is who we should be sending to the State Senate.

For U.S. House of Representatives, 12th Congressional District: Lateefah Simon

I had the pleasure of meeting Lateefah Simon personally when she came to San Leandro to campaign. She is an experienced progressive with a track record of achievements in affordable housing, immigration justice, public transit access, and community organizing. She's a nationally recognized civil rights advocate who knows how to deliver for California. Just look at her resume! MeadowFund, President (2022 - Present); Akonadi Foundation, President (2016 - Present); Rosenberg Foundation, Program Director (2011 - 2016); Lawyer's Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area, Executive Director (2008 - 2011); San Francisco District Attorney's Office, Director of Reentry Services (2005 - 2008); and Center for Young Women's Development, Executive Director (1997 - 2005); plus a Master's in Public Administration in 2022 from USF. I firmly believe Lateefah Simon is the best choice to replace our beloved Barbara Lee in Congress.

For U.S. Senate: Adam Schiff (x2)

Adam Schiff has been a champion for Californians for years now, from fighting to protect abortion access to investigating political corruption. He wants to reform the Supreme Court that has been gutting our civil liberties and constitutional norms. Conversely, his opponent, Republican Steven Garvey, has no qualifications other than being a former baseball player and a MAGA loyalist. Because of the death of former Senator Dianne Feinstein, voters are choosing who to fill for a part of her remaining term until January 3, 2025, as well as the full term through January 2031. (Laphonza Butler was already appointed by Governor Newsom for most of Feinstein's remaining term.)

For President and Vice President of the United States: Kamala Harris and Tim Walz

This should be obvious, but just as a reminder, Trump is a corrupt criminal who wants to destroy our democracy by becoming a dictator while stealing millions (if not billions) from the American people. Even worse, he wants to empower the worst people in our country under Project 2025 and ruin us for generations to come.

Kamala Harris wants to:

Cut Taxes for Middle-Class Families

Make Rent More Affordable and Home Ownership More Attainable

Grow Small Businesses and Invest in Entrepreneurs

Take on Bad Actors and Bring Down Costs

Strengthen and Bring Down the Cost of Health Care

Protect and Strengthen Social Security and Medicare

Support American Innovation and Workers

Provide a Pathway to the Middle-Class Through Quality, Affordable Education

Invest in Affordable Child Care and Long Term Care

Lower Energy Costs and Tackle the Climate Crisis

And so much more!

There's really nothing else I need to say. Let's elect our first Black and Indian and Woman president. When we fight, we win! And we're not going back!

Well, that's it for my voter guide for the 2024 general election! I hope y'all find it useful, but please take it only as my 2¢. Ultimately, I just hope everyone votes, because our democracy works best when everyone participates.

*Standard caveats: I have not received in fact or in promise any money from any candidate. I have not received in fact or in promise a vote for a specific interest that would benefit me financially or professionally. I have no financial interest, such as a business or investment, that would directly profit from any of the ballot propositions or measures. While these represent my votes for the 2024 general election, my support is not uncritical or unconditional. I reserve the right to modify and/or withdraw it at any time for any reason with or without notice, based on any information or based on no information. Further, the reasons given below for my votes are not meant to be comprehensive and I do not guarantee their accuracy beyond that I believe they are true to the best of my knowledge at the time they were written. Lastly, my opinion is solely my own and should not be misconstrued as the stance of my employer, nor should it be misconstrued as the stance of any group I am affiliated with, except to the extent that we share similar goals or values for our society.*

*Tl;Dr — Azevedo, Simon, Bulatao, Spehr over Oddie, España, Dean and Lee, Ortega, Rubio, L. Simon, Schiff x2, Walz, and Harris. Yes on 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 32, 33, and 35. No on Recall, 34, and 36.*

Take note and take care.