East Bay Insiders

Bonta vs Swalwell

East Bay Insiders welcomes Carla Marinucci back to the pod. We dive into reports that Attorney General Rob Bonta is eyeing a run for governor. What does it mean for Rep. Eric Swalwell's own ambitions? Did Swalwell miss a window to run for AG, and could a Bonta–Swalwell rivalry be shaping up? We break down the early race to replace Swalwell in Congress, featuring State Sen. Aisha Wahab and BART Director Melissa Hernandez, and revisit how shifting district lines once helped Swalwell rise. On the local front, we talk Costco coming to Oakland, led by Councilmember "Kirkland" Carroll Fife, why landing a Costco can be a fiscal game-changer for cities—and how Oakland might mess it up. We also cover Pamela Price's comeback bid for Alameda County district attorney and what the dismissal of charges against former San Leandro officer Jason Fletcher means for the 2026 primary. Plus, a remembrance of San Leandro Mayor Stephen Cassidy, reflecting on his leadership and lasting impact on the East Bay. Don't miss Episode 122, featuring the 3rd Annual Insidey Awards.

The Letter

Happy Thanksgiving! Following the bombsell East Bay Insiders report of a letter alleging the existence of a video showing California Attorney General Rob Bonta in a "compromising situation," Steve Tavares provides additonal insights into the story and the potential Easter eggs in the letter. Will Bonta still run for governor? Along with Trishala Vinnakota and Justin Berton, we also breakdown Eric Swalwell's own nascent campaign for governor - his chances and what to expect? Plus, we look at Hayward's mounting budget crisis and two former elected officials' surprising public criticisms of the current city council.

San Leandro is in turmoil

A Bryan Azevedo–packed episode. From the rise to the downfall — we unpack how the Duong family built influence in San Leandro politics and trace Azevedo's wild ride: from the infamous "community freezer locker" idea, an inability to speak a human language, to the federal charges that brought everything crashing down. What does this scandal mean for San Leandro's future? Who might fill his vacant council seat? Plus, we dive into the aftermath of Prop. 50, ask whether there's a Zohran Mamdani emerging in the East Bay, and track the buzz around Eric Swalwell's rumored run for governor.

From Protégé to Pariah

State and local political strategist Jason Overman joins us to unpack his time working alongside Sheng Thao and Andre Jones in Oakland politics — and why their recent corruption indictments left him feeling "deeply betrayed." Later, we break down gubernatiorial candidate Katie Porter's rough week on the campaign trail, Oakland's search for a new police chief, Ken Houston's clash with homeless advocates, and the upcoming No Kings rallies in the East Bay.

Hopelessness, homelessness, greediness

The shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk has shaken the nation—and this week, we're unpacking what it means closer to home. Guest co-hosts Trishala Vinnakota and Justin Berton join us to trace East Bay history of politically motivated killings and the rising hostility faced by local officials. Then, we dive into Oakland's new push to toughen its encampment policy and the Alameda County Board of Supervisors' audacious plan to raise campaign donor limits to levels unmatched anywhere in our local politics.