It has been just over a month since the November General Elections in San Mateo County but with the recent announcement by county superintendent of schools Jean Holbrook that she will not seek a second full, four year term as the county’s education chief, candidates may begin lining up for the coveted post.
Already, Anne E. Campbell, the superintend of the Portola Valley School District, has thrown her hat into the ring with the “unqualified” support of Holbrook.
Campbell, according to news reports, has already lined up many key endorsements but that does not exclude other possible contenders for the seat.
Other possibilities may include Karen Philip, the Deputy Superintendent of Schools under Holbrook and the former superintendent of the Millbrae school District, which would continue the tradition of promoting from within the agency itself.Other obvious contenders include Patrick Gemma, the Superintendent of the Sequoia Union High School District. Gemma is a popular education leader in the south county, leading one of the three largest school districts in the county.
Similarly, veteran education leader Mike Crilly who serves as the Superintendent of the Jefferson Union High School District in the northern end of San Mateo County is another obvious contender. Crilly is a veteran educational leader who has engaged in some politicking from his current seat. Crilly could have many supporters among the county’s political machine but Crilly has also made some political waves in the past that may be a liability.
Daly City councilmember indictment may open seat
At the end of November, two-term Daly City Councilmember Maggie Gomez pleaded not guilty to 12 counts of insurance and workers' compensation fraud stemming from a workers' compensation claim that Gomez filed in 2005 with Seton Medical Center in Daly City, where she is employed as a patient relations manager.
The felony charges against Gomez, according to reports, will not be heard until Jan. 27 in San Mateo County Superior Court and a trial could take quite a long time to play out. But the challenge for Gomez to retain her seat on the Daly City Council is twofold. Firstly, Gomez is up for reelection in 2010 and few supporters will likely want to step forward to underwrite or endorse her campaign so long as she remains under a cloud of suspicion. But even if she cuts a deal, any felony conviction will immediately end her tenure on the council.
Questions are swirling in Daly City over whether or not former councilmember Judith Christensen who lost her reelection bid in 2008 will seek to return to the council. Other names have also been floated including local realtor Christine Fuller, who also serves on the San Mateo County Mosquito abatement and Vector Control District Board of Trustees representing Daly City.
First term Jefferson Elementary School District Trustee Adam Duran is also among the possible contenders who may be favored by the current council. Dark horse candidate Michael Maysenhalder who serves on the Daly City Library Board of Trustees is also another possibility.
Of course all speculation will be for naught until Gomez resigns or is removed from office early. If that happens the remaining councilmembers can appoint a replacement but, according to city code, only until the next election for the city, which in 2010 will be the June 2 Primary Election.
Look for council candidates to emerge in the New Year, particularly if Gomez’ fortunes take a rapid turn for the worse.
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