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East Bay Insiders

Author: Steven Tavares

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East Bay political discourse will never be the same! Political reporter Steve Tavares, and Alameda County insiders Shawn Wilson and Dan Mendoza, dish the scoop on Alameda County, state, and national political scenes, with a few hijinks along the way.
180 Episodes
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Ask Kevin Jenkins anything

Ask Kevin Jenkins anything

2025-03-1301:02:21

While Oaklanders are figuring out who will be their next mayor, Interim Oakland Mayor Kevin Jenkins sat down with us for coffee in a wide-ranging interview. Jenkins, who also serves East Oakland's District 6 council seat, chatted about juggling two big jobs at once, the upcoming budget process, his optimism about the Coliseum deal, a casino by the airport, his background as a county staffer, and telling his son a tall tale about dropping 60 points in a basketball game.
Shawn Wilson was overjoyed to be back in his hometown of Hayward. At our live recording at historic Buffalo Bill's Brewery, Shawn came loaded with Hayward trivia and some friends. Cat Man, Mayor Mark Salinas and Councilmember Julie Roche stopped by before we chatted with State Sen. Aisha Wahab. The first-term state senator discussed her plans for Bay Area transit consolidation, Fremont's camping ban, and housing, her signature issue.
The end of the year is near. We take a look back at some of year's highlights in East Bay politics and lowlights. Bryan Azevedo's comedy, election upsets, troubles at the Registrar of Voters office and Fremont, and much more. We hand out our first annual Insidey awards and look forward to 2023. A recession perhaps on the horizon? 
Happy Thanksgiving! Steve Tavares, Shawn Wilson, and Dan Mendoza wrap up the 2022 election in the East Bay. While smoking cigars and sipping Bourbon at the Ohlone Cigar Lounge in Fremont, Steve and Shawn nearly fought about the county registrar, but not before breaking down this fall's election results and what they mean.
It's time to put up or shut up in big races all over Alameda County. Steve Tavares and Shawn break down how these races for district attorney, county supervisor, Oakland mayor, and two legislative races, and more, will shake down. Predictions included! Also, included, special guest, former Fremont Mayor Bill Harrison.
With a week until Election Day, Oakland mayoral candidate Loren Taylor joins the podcast in East Oakland to discuss his campaign, ideas for combating homelessness, the A's and Howard Terminal, his relationship with labor, ranked-choice voting, all the while earning from passerby at least four votes.
It's the Power of IEs

It's the Power of IEs

2022-10-2401:13:29

Spending by Independent Expenditures Committees has skyrocketed not only in East Bay legislatives races, but down to the local level as we head into the stretch run to the November Election. Dublin's First Man Dan Mendoza (he came bearing gifts) sits in with Steve Tavares and Shawn Wilson to discuss the deluge of IE money, along with looks at other big races in the East Bay this fall.
We're back in Jack London Square, this time with Oakland mayoral candidate Seneca Scott, who minces no words about the state of his city and why labor is backing an opponent, among other insights. 
The Worst

The Worst

2022-08-2659:10

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. 
June Primary Autopsy

June Primary Autopsy

2022-06-2201:11:10

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.
Sore Loser

Sore Loser

2022-02-2101:08:25

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. 
Bryan vs. the Tsunami

Bryan vs. the Tsunami

2022-01-2101:02:53

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.
Company Christmas Party

Company Christmas Party

2021-12-2401:02:47

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.
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Comments (1)

Mike Nunez

Hands down the best podcast for current events in the East Bay. Thank you for putting in all the work to make it happen.

Oct 13th
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