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Alameda County sets public process, extends application timeline to fill vacant district attorney post
Summary
The Board of Supervisors approved a public application-and-interview process for the vacant Alameda County District Attorney office, moved the application deadline to the week of Jan. 6 and removed a five-candidate cap after widespread public comment urging more time and transparency.
The Alameda County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 10 approved a public process to appoint a successor to the county’s vacant district attorney seat and amended staff’s proposed schedule to give the community more time to weigh in.
President Miley opened the discussion by stressing transparency: “We really want to have a transparent process of appointing a DA, giving the community an opportunity to weigh in,” he said, noting that applicants’ materials would be made public and that interviews and deliberations would happen in open meetings.
County counsel Andrea Weddle told the board the charter constrains the board’s authority and that the chief assistant district attorney is the office’s next-in-line official while the position is vacant: “The office is vacant. The chief assistant is the individual who is next in line… and is authorized to exercise those duties,” Weddle said.
Staff’s packet proposed a rapid timeline with a December application deadline and potential appointment by early February. Many public speakers urged changes. Victims’ family members, community groups and advocacy leaders asked the board to extend the schedule, publish selection criteria and allow public forums for finalists. “We need a DA that has compassion for victims and respect for the laws,” said Virginia Nishida, who asked the board to appoint a replacement “with urgency,” while other speakers called for time after the holidays so more candidates and the public could participate.
Supervisor Marquez proposed, and the board adopted, moving the application window into January so new board members and the public can participate and review materials. The board directed staff to post applications online once ready, highlight minimum legal qualifications in the application materials, and remove a firm cap limiting interviewees to five candidates so supervisors have flexibility in selecting finalists. County staff said the revised schedule could post applications within 48 hours after the board’s action.
The board recorded unanimous support for the amended process and directed staff to return with the posted applications, interview dates and criteria. Next steps include a public meeting to decide which applicants will be interviewed, the interview round(s), and a subsequent public deliberation and appointment.
