It's Election Day! How will the night shakedown in Alameda County and the East Bay? We take a look at some of the races and offer insights and some bold predictions. Plus, a look ahead to 2022.
Shortly after this episode was recorded, Eden Health District board director Charlie Gilcrest passed away. At the beginning and end of this episode, Steve Tavares and Shawn Wilson remember the man who gave so much to San Leandro. Also, the fall election season is here. We take quick looks at races in Alameda and Fremont, and Oakland races destined to be dominated by the movement to defund police.
Hamilton, baseball and politics, and another round of sneak peaks for the fall election season in the East Bay. In particular, two races that are big in both consequence and size-Oakland's up-for-grabs District 7 council seat and the four seats on the Hayward City Council, plus much more.
A new election. A new season of the East Bay Insiders. Steve Tavares and Shawn Wilson travel from the future to fix a wrong that will occur on Sept. 20, 2020.
East Bay Insiders Steve Tavares and Shawn Wilson, wearing masks and social distancing, are together for the first in-person episode since the pandemic started. Two candidates in San Leandro might be showing how campaign outreach will be done this year. Should 16- and 17-year-olds be able to vote? Plus, A's rent strike.
After Steve talked smack about his girlfriend during the shelter in place, she surprises him and talks smack back. Steve and Shawn add perspective to the shooting of a 33-year-old black man at Walmart by San Leandro Police. Meanwhile, how will Alameda County balance its $72 million deficit? And by popular demand, the results for the first quarter of the first-ever Fantasy City Council League are in!
Alameda Councilmember Jim Oddie joins Steve Tavares and Shawn Wilson discuss his profanity-laced comments against delaying the minimum wage in Alameda, and the island city's potentially grim budget outlook. And what about the time a constituent invited Jim to discuss city matters in her hot tub? Also, coronavirus conspiracy (Putin did it), and VP, local campaign talk.
The shelter in place continues. Steve Tavares and Shawn Wilson, however, sort of like the new routine presented by the covid-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, they discuss the potential for delays in raising the minimum wage spreading across the East Bay. Happy Easter!
After a nearly month-long hiatus as Steve Tavares and Shawn Wilson help save Alameda County from the coronavirus, "We're baaaaaaaack!" Shawn moved in with his better half right in the smack of the shelter in place. Meanwhile, our lives, like yours, surrounds solely around stories about going to the grocery store. Then there's the question of how will campaigns be run this fall in the era of covid-19?
The votes are in, but Alameda County voters and candidates eagerly awaiting all of the ballots to be counted. We look at the returns in all the March primary races in Alameda County. But things also got steamy and Shawn Wilson explained his battle back from backside surgery.
Eighteenth District Assemblymember Rob Bonta is upset about insults hurled against him recently by East Bay Insiders co-host Shawn Wilson. "I thought he was my friend," a downtrodden Bonta said. In this Election Day special podcast, Bonta discusses his California Green New Deal legislation, pedestrian safety in Alameda, and the recent firing of Oakland's police chief.
Co-host Shawn Wilson busted out of his hospital room to record the March Primary Election Preview. Despite hand and buttocks injuries, Shawn persisted (with help from pain killers). It's the loopiest episode yet. We look at the big Alameda County supervisors race in District 1, critique some mailers, and give our predictions.
An enlightened conversation with water district official Olivia Sanwong is interrupted by retiring Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty. "I've got news for you, nobody likes you guys," Haggerty said, in response to the show's tagline. But he also offers unvarnished takes on a number of issues. He even falls off his chair. (We thought he was having a heart attack.)
Zone 7 Water District Boardmember Olivia Sanwong joins the East Bay Insiders podcast as the first official to appear on the show who has not lost their last election. She chats about her district, espionage, the presidential race, Thai food, Pete Stark and Kobe Bryant's passing, and the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee. Then, like a photobombing, the show was "podcastbombed" by a surprise guest. Find out who in Part 2, coming next week.
Former Fremont Mayor Bill Harrison loves gangster rap, but dislikes Bacon. The Big Man joins the podcast to dish about Fremont, why he gave to John McCain, and brandishes some tough words for his former colleague who is running for the Alameda County Board of Supervisors. Plus, lots of singing.
Kevin Dowling, a former Hayward councilmember and Pete Buttigieg supporter, has seen a whopping 19 Democratic presidential candidates in the flesh. He gives his thought on the race, along with analysis of the big Alameda County Board of Supervisors primary contest.
An ability to see the big picture may be hindering the judgment of progressives in the East Bay during the first two weeks of 2020. For instance in Alameda County's District 1 supervisorial race in moderate Fremont and Tri-Valley. Same for the growing Moms 4 Housing controversy.
As we head toward 2020, Steve Tavares and Shawn Wilson look back at the past decade, from changes in attitudes in Alameda County toward cannabis to the growing housing crisis. Plus, some predictions for the next year. Happy New Year!
Ding Dong nuts is the Christmas stocking stuffer that keeps giving. The holiday season is almost over and Steve Tavares and Shawn Wilson break down the annual end of the year weirdness that often happens in East Bay politics. Plus, what if Libby Schaaf faced off against Rob Bonta for congress? Who would win? **Note** A decade-ending special podcast is coming New Year's Eve.
The heavens opened up, resulting in podcast history's first rain delay. Shawn Wilson handles the hosting duties and we talk about Developer Phil Tagami and Oakland's cancel culture, and nightmare dates. Also, why in the world would somebody want to run for office in Alameda?
And we're back! Rep. Eric Swalwell's #fartgate (#shartgate) still lingers. We break it all down, along with a post-mortem on why Sen. Kamala Harris' presidential campaign faltered. Also, a first look on the candidate's performance in the big Alameda County Supervisors race, and a Thanksgiving update.
Steve Tavares is cooking the turkey this year and Shawn Wilson has no place to go for Thanksgiving. In the meantime, the East Bay Insiders take another look at the Alameda County Board of Supervisors race next year, and shopping at union grocery stores, among many other topics on this expanded Thanksgiving edition.
The first of its kind East Bay Fantasy City Council League Draft commences. Who is drafted as the first-overall pick? How will you know who wins the fantasy league? Who knows? Plus, reminiscing about the old Castro Valley Flea Market, and karaoke.
A transcript of Alameda's secret audio recording will be released to the public. How should the two Alameda councilmembers recorded in the conversation react to the fallout? Also a bonus appreciation for Alameda builder Ron Cowan and how Willie Brown once met with us and declared way before the 2014 Oakland mayoral election that Libby Schaaf would win.
Maybe they should call him John McPardon? East Bay Insiders Steve Tavares and Shawn Wilson chat about BART Board Director John McPartland's embarrassing gaffe. Why Hayward is always late to the party, and the future of its rising star, Hayward Councilmember Aisha Wahab. In the news: Cherryland is being eyed for annexation and a look at how the A's may not be in Oakland's future. Plus, much joking around about condos for squirrels, free Swedish manure helmets, and impromptu open forums in Oakland.