August 21, 2024
EBMUD Board Election Update
Four seats will be up for election this November
OAKLAND – At a special meeting held on August 20, the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) Board of Directors voted to hold an election for the sole candidate running for the Board seat in Ward 2 representing Lafayette, Alamo, Diablo, Town of Danville, Blackhawk and portions of Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, and San Ramon. Director Luz Gómez was appointed to represent Ward 2 in April 2024 to replace John Coleman, who resigned after over 30 years of service.
Additionally, three more Board members who have served for decades have announced they would not seek re-election this fall. Their decisions mean that four of the seven seats on the Board will be on the ballot in November. The Board oversees EBMUD’s water and wastewater system, which serves 1.4 million people in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
Retirements include:
- Director Lesa McIntosh, Ward 1, is currently the Board president and has served Crockett, Hercules, Rodeo, and San Pablo, portions of Richmond and Pinole, and the communities of North Richmond and Selby since 1999.
- Director Doug Linney, Ward 5, who has served Alameda and portions of San Lorenzo, West Oakland, the Oakland Airport Area, and San Leandro since 2001.
- Director William “Bill” Patterson, Ward 6, is currently the Board vice president and has served East Oakland and the area south of Park Blvd/5th Avenue to the San Leandro boundary in Oakland since 1997.
The following candidates will appear on the ballot for EBMUD Board seats in the November 5 general election:
Alameda County
Ward 5
- John E. Lewis, Technology Executive
- James H. Oddie, Construction Manager
- Alex Spehr, Parent/Tech Support
Ward 6
- Richard de Vera, Entrepreneur
- Valerie D. Lewis, Attorney
Contra Costa County
Ward 1
- Joey D. Smith, Water Conservation Technician
- Anthony Lee Tave, Civil Engineer/Councilmember
Ward 2
- Luz Gómez, Appointed Incumbent, EBMUD Ward 2
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The East Bay Municipal Utility District has a proud history of providing high-quality drinking
water for 1.4 million customers in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. EBMUD’s wastewater
system serves 740,000 customers and helps protect the ecosystem of San Francisco Bay.
EBMUD is a not-for-profit public agency established in 1923.