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Alameda County supervisors expand DA interview pool to seven after public comment and votes
Summary
After two rounds of voting and two unanimous motions, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors advanced an initial three candidates, then five, and by subsequent votes expanded the interview pool to seven candidates; interviews are scheduled to begin next Tuesday with presentations and board questions.
The Alameda County Board of Supervisors met in special session on Jan. 16 to select finalists to interview for the vacant district attorney position. After staff reviewed the multi‑round voting procedure, the board heard more than an hour of public comment from community members and organizational representatives urging different selection priorities, then conducted two rounds of votes and approved two motions to expand the interview pool to seven candidates.
Public speakers pressed for contrasting qualifications. Carl Chan, co‑founder of the SAFE coalition, told the board his group had vetted candidates and “gave you 3 names” they believe are electable and experienced. Myrna Schwartz, a member of the Mental Health Advisory Board’s CareFirst Jails Last ad hoc committee, urged supervisors to keep diversion and alternatives to incarceration “top of mind” when choosing finalists.
Following public comment the board reconvened and each supervisor announced their preferences. The clerk read round‑one tallies and advanced three applicants—Esposito, Johnson and Dixon—based on the highest votes. In round two the clerk reported that Elgin Lowe and Jimmy Wilson also advanced, producing a five‑person interview pool.
After discussion about whether to interview more than five candidates, Supervisor Marquez moved to add a candidate identified in the motion as “Yubin Chin;” Supervisor Tam seconded and the motion carried on a roll call vote. Supervisor Miley then moved to advance LD Lewis for interview; that motion was seconded and also carried. The board thus approved interviews for seven candidates and scheduled the interview day for next Tuesday, with each candidate allowed up to a 10‑minute presentation followed by questions from supervisors.
President Halbert said the board would use a random draw to determine presentation order, and that all candidates would be present in the chamber so supervisors can ask tailored follow‑up questions. County counsel cautioned that logistics and candidate employment obligations make immediate swearing‑in on selection day unlikely; the board said final selection is scheduled for Jan. 28 with a potential swearing‑in to follow.
The meeting record shows a mix of priorities among speakers and supervisors: some advocated a DA who emphasizes public safety and prosecuting violent crimes, while others emphasized adherence to CareFirst/Jails Last diversion policies, data‑driven reforms and transparency. The board made clear it may interview more than five candidates, and by unanimous votes on the motions it expanded the pool to seven.
Next steps: interviews are scheduled for next Tuesday beginning at 1:30 p.m.; the board plans deliberations and a possible selection on Jan. 28, with public comment available during deliberations.
