San Leandro Voter's Guide: 2026 Primary 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 measure, then the county races, then the local judgeships, then our federal district, then the state offices. If you're strapped for time, you can find the TL;DR version just below and then check out the details further down at your leisure. NB: this does not include any candidates that are uncontested and so won't be on your ballots, but feel free to reach out if you'd like information about them too.

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City of San Leandro
Measure F: Yes

County of Alameda
District 3 Supervisor: Write-In
Member, Board of Education, 4th Trustee Area: Aisha Knowles
County Superintendent of Schools: Alysse Castro
District Attorney: Pamela Price

Judicial Offices
Superior Court Judge, Office #13: Cabral Bonner
Superior Court Judge, Office #19: Selia Warren

Federal Offices
U.S. Representative, 12th Distrct: Lateefah Simon

State Offices
State Assembly, 20th District: Liz Ortega

State Board of Equalization, 2nd District: Sally Lieber

Superintendent of Public Instruction: Richard Barrera
Insurance Commissioner: Jane Kim
Treasurer: Anna M. Caballero
Controller: Malia M. Cohen
Secretary of State: Shirley N. Weber

Attorney General: Rob Bonta
Lieutenant Governor: Michael Tubbs
Governor: Tom Steyer

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, as described and linked below. However, for my general overview reference points, please see the Alameda County Progressive Voters Guide, CalMatters Voter Guide, and the official Alameda County Registrar of Voters 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 the City of San Leandro, Measure F: Yes

Measure F would finally change all San Leandro City Council elections into true district elections. This means residents of each district would be the only ones to vote for the city council member representing their district. The current system has residents voting for all city council members citywide. This means if you live in the Marina, your councilmember is actually being chosen by people who don't even live in your district. It means that most city council members are actually picked by voters living in Estudillo Estates, the Broadmoor, Bay-O-Vista, and Downtown.

Of course, this is a violation of the California Voting Rights Act. And it's something I've been warning the city about for years. Well, we did get hit with an expected lawsuit that could cost us millions of dollars. So, the city finally got itself together and has put Measure F on the ballot to fix things before a court does it for us. This is an obvious "yes" vote. It's past time that voters in each district get to choose who they want to represent them. (Which will also make it easier to get more qualified folks to run for office!) Vote yes for Measure F.

For Alameda County Board of Supervisors, District 3: Write-In

Unfortunately, there's no competition for this seat on the Alameda County Board of Supervisors. The incumbent, Lena Tam is running for reelection unopposed and that's a damn shame. Tam is funded by conservatives in the real estate industry and she regularly votes however her financial backers want her to. Tam has opposed protections for renters and tenants. Tam has worked to shield law enforcement from accountability for misconduct. Indeed, Tam has proven to be a DINO - Democrat in Name Only - delaying and/or sabotaging voter priorities such as an ethical investment policy and opposition to the Trump regime.

To be fair, she's also terrible precisely beause District 3 has a deep bench of much better candidates to draw on that could help create a bold vision for our district and the county in general. Sadly, we're left with an empty suit in an empty chair. As such, I recommend voting write-in in protest. Hopefully, we have more choices when the seat is up again in 2030.

For Member, Alameda County Board of Education, 4th Trustee Area: Aisha Knowles

I'm making this recommendation with reluctance. Knowles is a political climber who says a lot but hasn't delivered on much while reportedly being difficult to work with. She's friends with a lot of the political class in Alameda County, which has helped her move up to being the incumbent for this office.

That said, the other options on the ballot are far worse. Reynoso is a Republican with insane policies to ban books and attack LGBTQ students, crazy conspiracy criminal theories about cannibalism and Jews, and who runs for as many seats as he can, no matter how incompatible they might or distracted he might get. Joseph Grcar is another Republican that hasn't done much other than a civil war within the Alameda County GOP, though he's previously run for other offices on a position of defund, privatize, and repeat. Lastly, Mark Harvey is yet another Republican plant whose main qualifying experience to help run the county's educational system is as a pharmaceutical company executive.

Vote for Aisha Knowles. Because her competition are literally a dumpster fire.

For Alameda County Superintendent of Schools: Alysse Castro

Another office that is uncontested when it shouldn't be. If you're a parent, you know the terrible state of education here in Alameda County. Most students can't read, write, or do math on grade level. That disparity is even worse for Black and Brown students. And it's been like that for years. Alysse Castro has worked to fix this dysfunction, which means most of her time has been spent on Oakland schools. While that's commendable, it also hasn't left a lot of time for helping fix the very real problems in San Leandro's schools.

I wish voters had more choices on who at the county level could be a more active partner with educators outside of the one problem district. But Alysse Castro is qualified, competent, and working hard. If only she could be doing that for us here in San Leandro. Still, she's got my vote.

For Alameda County District Attorney: Pamela Price

Okay, hear me out. The campaign to recall Pamela Price formally kicked off in July 2023. Just 6 months after she started her term. And it wasn't for gross misconduct or a violation of the law. It was because some people didn't like her. Because Price was a reformer rather than a regressive. The recall was almost entirely funded by investment firms and real estate groups who didn't want a progressive in the DA's office, as well as law enforcement groups who didn't want a DA that would hold them accountable for misconduct.

At the same time, as Price revealed to the Davis Vanguard, there were entrenched internal interests at the DA's office, such as acolytes of former DA Nancy O'Malley, that opposed her from the very beginning and sabotaged the DA's office to the detriment of victims and defendants. In fact, I know this firsthand from my work as an advocate and an organizer, where I saw prosecutors intentionally leaking privileged information as well as tanking cases. (Many still haven't faced charges for doing so, let alone being disbarred.)

At the same time, Ursula Dickson was a respected superior court judge. When Price was recalled, Dickson was appointed by the county board of supervisors to take on the job. I myself was very excited about Dickson as a compromise to heal division and help us move forward. Unfortunately, we very quickly learned that Dickson was anything but a champion for justice.

She dropped the charges against former SLPD Officer Jason Fletcher for the killing of Steven Taylor here in San Leandro. This despite the fact the overwhelming evidence and changes in state law that demanded Fletcher be charged in the first place. This despite the tactics by the local police union and his defense team to delay the case until public attention died down in order to prevent it from ever reaching a jury. I've written extensively about this case myself.

But for those who believe this is just an isolated incident, let me show you a clear pattern. Dickson dropped the charges against the sheriff deputies for the death of Maurice Monk. Dickson dropped the case against a man whose dogs mauled and killed a man in Oakland. Dickson dropped the charges against polluter Radius Recyling (formerly the notorious Schnitzer Steel) for poisoning neighborhoods across the East Bay.

Meanwhile, Dickson has retaliated against whistleblowers who revealed misconduct as well as filed criminal charges against SLPD Chief Angela Averiett for clipping someone's side mirror. Notably, Averiett was brought in as a reformer and San Leandro's 2nd Black police chief, who is now also our 2nd Black police chief to be targeted by law enforcement groups that oppose any kind of reform.

In fact, Dickson's campaign team sent me one of those annoying robo text messages asking for my support for her election. When I responded with my opposition in frustration, figuring it was a throwaway that nobody would read, Dickson herself reached out to me via text. While I confronted her with the facts listed above, she responded with platitudes and excuses, instead of substance and evidence. Eventually, I realized that any further discussion was not productive and ended the conversation. But it revealed to me that Dickson is an example of someone who's character is fine when things are going well and the deck is in her favor, but when it's time to make hard choices in pursuit of justice for all? She folds. Actually, worse than that, Dickson prosecutes the powerless while protecting the powerful.

As for the other candidate, Krishan, he shows some promise in his desire to focus more prosection on hate crimes, protect immigrants, and his understanding of the dangers posed by the current federal regime. But I am not convinced he will be ready to navigate a hostile DA's office and powerful law enforcement groups that opposed to any kind of accountability, let alone transparency.

Conversely, the voters elected Pamela Price four years ago - the first openly elected DA in the county since 1938 - to implement a reform agenda with progressive prosecution focused on social justice. She exposed the systematic exclusion of Black and Jewish jurors. She ended racially-biased sentencing enhancements against juveniles. She prosecuted police brutality. She protected victims and their families. I believe we need to let her actually finish the job. Vote Pamela Price.

For Superior Court Judge, Office 13: Cabral Bonner

This is a race between two very good candidates, interim judge Michael P. Johnson and civil rights attorney Cabral Bonner. Both are excellent attorneys with a wide range of experience. I understand that some groups are giving the edge to Johnson for his work as an interim judge. However, based on my experience working with, in, and around the courts, I believe a civil rights attorney is the kind of person we want in our judges. Someone like Bonner who will be an advocate for justice that can actively dismantle the disparities in our legal system. Vote Bonner.

For Superior Court Judge, Office 19: Selia Warren

This is another race between two very good candidates, administrative law judge Patricia Miles and Oakland deputy city attorney Selia Warren. While Miles has a lot of judicial experience and Warren has none, Miles was only an ALJ, which is far different from a superior court judge. Miles also doesn't live in the county and hasn't secured enough support to even appear on the official voter guide. As a deputy city attorney, Warren has litigated matters at the trial and appellate court levels in Alameda County, where she lives, which I believe gives her the edge. Vote Warren.

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

This is an interesting race because the incumbent, Lateefah Simon, is being challenged from the left by Jamie Joyce. I'll be honest, Simon has been a great rep in a dysfunctional Congress controlled by the Trump regime and never forgets to deliver for her district. Just recently, she secured over $1 million for San Leandro to help fix up our infamously dilapidated shoreline. In fact, she's secured over $11.2 million for East Bay projects. Conversely, I can't really say what Jamie Joyce has really done beyond an interesting, albeit daunting 650-plus page proposal for the Modernizing American Democracy (MAD) Act. Vote Simon.

For State Assembly, 20th District: Liz Ortega

If you live in San Leandro, chances are you know about Liz Ortega, whose effectively represented us in Sacramento for years. Her voting record speaks for itself, with support for workers and families, as well as key initiatives for regulating AI, keeping ICE out of our communities, and expanding healthcare access. Her Republican opponent, Patricia Muga, is a real estate appraiser running for two offices at the same time. She doesn't actually have any experience, but her campaign website reads like a social media troll fever dream. Let's stick with the best person for the job. Vote Ortega.

For State Board of Equalization, 2nd District: Sally Lieber

The state's Board of Equalization collects tax, and is the only publicly-elected tax commission in the country. They can hold corporations accountable by ensuring they pay their taxes. Lieber is the incumbent whose been doing a bang up job over the past four years, protecting the integrity of voter-approved funds for housing and tax credits for businesses investing in California's future. Conversely, her opponents are a bunch of Republican goons and one kinda tired centrist Dem. Vote Lieber.

For State Superintendent of Public Instruction: Richard Barrera

It's a pretty crowded field with a variety of standout candidates. Ultimately, I am choosing Richard Barrera. Unlike so many other districts, his in San Diego was able to continue paying teachers a living wage while growing programs for students and pushing back against disparities in education (especially for BIPOC kids). That he did this in relatively conservative San Diego while also consulting around the state with other education advocates is a testament to his ability to walk and chew gum at the same time. I believe he'll do a great job at improving California's public school standing. Vote Barrera.

For State Insurance Commissioner: Jane Kim

The state Insurance Commissioner regulates the nation’s largest property and casualty insurance market, approves premium rate increases, and regulates life, health, and workers’ comp insurance. Homeowners insurance is also entwined with real estate and mortgage lending. Unlike some of my fellow policy wonks, I'm choosing outsider Jane Kim for this usually policy wonk office. With respect to well-qualified candidates Steven Bradford and Ben Allen, who I'm sure would be technically great at the job - and with little respect to the conservative candidates that want to make it harder for working families - California needs someone who is going to provide vision and leadership. We need someone who is committed to affordability over profiteering, transparency over ambiguity, and willing to create a public option for consumers to get adequate insurance coverage. Vote Kim.

For State Treasurer: Anna Caballero

While it looks like soon-to-be former Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis is going to coast to an easy win, the actual best candidate is soon-to-be-termed-out State Senator Anna Caballero. The State Treasurer acts as the chief banker, investor, and asset manager for California, overseeing the collection, investment, and disbursement of public funds. They manage cash flows, issue state bonds to fund public infrastructure, and often sit on numerous financial and pension boards. But in practice the job stays the same no matter who is at the top. Kounalakis is more pro-business than pro-working folks, with some questionable conflicts of interest. Conversely, Caballero actually wants to do the job rather than use it as a stepping stone to something else. Vote Caballero.

For State Controller: Malia Cohen

California’s controller serves as the state’s chief accountant, overseeing spending and in charge of auditing the state’s finances, as well as paying government employees. With respect to some of the progressives I know, the incumbent Malia Cohen is my choice. This isn't the kind of a job for a school bus driver or a Republican stooge. Based on my experience working in state government, I have been happy with Cohen's work keeping the trains running on time in a position that really needs it. True, she could be doing more to fulfill her campaign promises and be more proactive in program outcomes, like returning unclaimed money. But her opponents would be far less competent. Vote Cohen.

For California Secretary of State: Shirley N. Weber

This is a no-brainer. Weber has been a staunch defender of voting rights for years, providing universal vote-by-mail, helping to enfranchise tens of thousands of formerly incarcerated people, as well as stopping Republican party attempts to purge voters and their votes. Weber has even stood up against her fellow Dems when she refused to let Newsom break the rules during the gubernatorial recall, got sued for it, and the won because of her integrity! Her opponent, Orange County Republican Don Wagner, wants to undo all of those accomplishments. Vote Weber.

For California Attorney General: Write-In

Honestly, I can just copy+paste this analysis, because it's almost exactly what I would say: "There’s a lot to like about incumbent Attorney General Rob Bonta. He’s filed over 50 lawsuits against the Trump administration, recovered federal funds to support Californians, and won a massive monopoly verdict against Ticketmaster. Bonta is immensely popular, and has a campaign war chest of over $6 million. He will coast to re-election over his challengers, Voter ID Republican and former Huntington Beach City Attorney Michael Gates, (war chest: $600,000) , and Green Party Peace Activist Attorney Marjorie Mikels (war chest: $0).

But virtually uncontested primaries are a chance to vote our values. So we’re leaving the Attorney General race blank on our ballots to show our disappointment with how Bonta has turned a blind eye to local Bay Area tragedies. When a Walgreens security guard got away with shooting Banko Brown in 2023, Bonta upheld our corrupt District Attorney Brooke Jenkins’ decision to not press charges. WTF? And later that year, Bonta declined to file charges against the Vallejo police officer who claimed self-defense in the killing of 22-year-old Sean Monterrosa for having a hammer in his pocket. Rob, you’re from Alameda—how about a little justice for the Bay?

When he was in the State Assembly, Bonta supported the law requiring the California Department of Justice to investigate police killings when there is no deadly weapon involved. As Attorney General, his department wasn’t even keeping track of these incidents until a reporter started asking questions. Bonta should follow the law he voted for and make sure the CA DOJ investigates these injustices. Until then, No Recommendation."

For California Lieutenant Governor: Michael Tubbs

I've been a fan of Michael Tubbs since he was first elected mayor in Stockton. He launched a first-of-its-kind guaranteed basic income pilot program to give 125 residents $500 a month for two years, no strings attached. It measurably improved employment and health. He also oversaw a gun violence intervention and prevention program that involved paying $1,000 monthly to those most likely to perpetrate or be at risk of violence, while connecting them to services and mentorship. It was found to save lives and dollars. In both cases, Tubbs wasn't afraid of controversy about doing what's right. His courage and ability to communicate are why he's the best choice in a crowded field of bad to unknown candidates. Vote Tubbs.

For California Governor: Tom Steyer

I make this recommendation with extreme reluctance and immense duress. If there were any justice in the world, we'd have a ranked-choice voting system rather than a jungle primary system to avoid exactly this kind of agonizing problem: a clown car of candidates. A few decent ones cancelling each other out so they're unable to make headway, a couple really dangerous candidates consolidating enough of the minority of votes to take the lead, and a slew of random candidates just to make things extra confusing.

That said, I'm choosing Steyer because he's the only viable Democratic candidate left in the race with a campaign platform that has what the state needs: universal healthcare for Californians, a tax on billionaires, fully funding childcare, free community college, ending the commercial propety tax loophole under prop 13, ending corporate and special interest funding in elections from Citizens United, as well as prosecuring ICE for crimes they commit in the state by order of the Trump regime.

At the same time, I think it's interesting that many of my fellow progressives love the billionaire with no history of public service and a documented history of investments in private prisons as well as fossil fuels that helped make him rich. Now, as a candidate for governor, he's suddenly adopting every position the left asks for. I don't think he's terrible, but I do find it incredulous how quickly fellow progressives decided "this is our guy and we can totally trust him." Especially given their hostility to similar candidates in other races and even to far less problematic ones in similar races.

Conversely, the working single mom who isn't taking corporate money, with a solid record of bipartisan public service achievements, and a documented history of winning over progressives as much as moderates without compromising her positions is suddenly being portrayed by many on the left as this supremely evil candidate.

The Latino lawyer who got his start helping people with mental illness at a legal aid organization before serving as a California deputy AG, then Congress, then as state AG, and then as US Health and Human Services Secretary. He's argued to protect women's healthcare, the environment, and immigrants. But he's being characterized as some kind of shill for other billionaire and corporate interests.

I guess I just don't understand the credulity about Steyer and the incredulity about Porter and Becerra. Sure, there's some classism, racismm, sexism going on, but more than that it feels like too many people want every primary to be a Manichean battle between the outsider and the establishment - even when the actual candidates don't match the side they're assigned.

Steyer isn't terrible. Neither is Porter. Neither is Becerra. They're all some version of decent with reservations. Yet, by every measure the party's left has proclaimed when it comes to vetting candidates, Porter or Becerra would be their winner. So why are they losing with them?

My theory is that the polarization of our politics has moved from calcification into radicalization that mirrors the Republicans. In this environment of extremism, too many want a strong man with easy answers who'll promise everyone everything, which means they'll probably deliver next to nothing. People have become so cynical and pessimistic that they're actually easier to con than before, because they think they're too smart to fall for it anymore and that nothing matters anyway. It's a nihilism free from critical thought and introspection. And, of course, it doesn't help that about half of all American adults can't read beyond a 6th grade level. Which helps explain the ignorance and hostility across so much of social media.

Personally, if there were any justice in the world, Betty Yee would've been the frontrunner from the start. She actually knows how to do every part of the job and has been doing it for decades. But she eventually dropped out and then actually endorsed Steyer, which is a plus to him for me.

Regardless, Bianco and Hilton are both Trump goons and would be terrible for the state. It would basically be a state version of the Trump regime - corruption, cruelty, and fascism. Meanwhile, Becerra inspires no one except his questionable donors and Porter is barely polling above 10%. Also none of them are campaigning on a platform that's the same or better than the alternatives.

With frustration and reservations, vote Steyer.

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Well, that's it for my voter guide for the 2026 primary 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 2026 primary 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.*

Take note and take care.