Election Section

One of the more anticipated Alameda County special district political races will not take place this year, as Alameda County Department of Social Services Civil Rights Coordinator Darleen Brooks—the sister of Oakland City Councilmember Desley Brooks—has opted not to run for the seat of incumbent Peralta Area Two Trustee Marcie Hodge. Brooks, who had taken out filing papers and held at least one fund-raising event earlier this year, said only that she has decided not to run for “personal reasons.” 

Hodge, who was first elected to the Peralta trustee board in 2004, ran against Desley Brooks in 2006 for Brooks’ District 6 council seat with the support of Oakland City Council President Ignacio De La Fuente, who was running for Oakland mayor. Early on, the race featured some of the bitterest rhetoric of the campaign season, with Hodge charging Brooks with “unethical” conduct while in office. But after former Congressmember Ron Dellums entered the mayoral race, De La Fuente’s financial support for Hodge By J. waned, and she eventually lost badly to Desley Brooks by a 53-35 margin. The Hodge challenge to Brooks reportedly left bad feelings between the two officeholders, and many observers felt that the expected Darleen Brooks challenge to Hodge this November would serve as part two of the 2006 City Council campaign. 

Despite Brooks’ decision not to run, Hodge will not go unchallenged in the November race, however. Educational consultant Marlon McWilson, a political newcomer, will be running in the election against Hodge, with support from the Brooks family. 

Three other incumbent Peralta trustees up for re-election—Bill Withrow (Area One), Nicky Gonzalez Yuen (Area Four) and Cy Gulassa (Area Six)—will not have opposition in the November race. 

In races for the AC Transit Board, Board President Chris Peeples will have a stiff challenge from retired architect and transportation activist Joyce Roy for his at-large seat, while Ward Two board member Greg Harper of Emeryville has opposition from perennial AC Transit board candidate James Muhammad. Ward One board member Joe Wallace of Richmond, who represents a portion of Berkeley, has no opposition in the November race. 

Other local races include: 

Alameda County Water District (3 seats)  

James Gunther (incumbent), Marty Koller (incumbent), John Weed (incumbent), and Robert Irvin. 

BART Board Ward 3 

Incumbent Bob Franklin has no challenger. 

BART Board Ward 5 

With no incumbent running, the filing deadline for this race has been extended. Candidates currently qualified for the ballot: John McPartland and Linda Jeffery Sailors. 

BART Board Ward 7 

Lynette Sweet (incumbent) and Marshall Walker III. 

EBMUD Board Ward 5 

Doug Linney (incumbent) and Susi Ostlund. 

EBMUD Board Ward 6 

Bill Patterson (incumbent) and Bob Feinbaum. 

East Bay Regional Park District Ward 1 

Whitney Dotson and Norman LaForce. With no incumbent running, the filing period remains open. 

East Bay Regional Park District Ward 2 

Incumbent John Sutter has no opposition. 

East Bay Regional Park District Ward 4 

Incumbent Doug Siden has no opposition.