With the Special Election finished, Hayward begins to look ahead to November. With district elections for the first time in Hayward's history, there have been concerns from some on City Council about a lack of viable candidates. In the recent past, City Council candidates have been either appointed or supported after serving on city Commissions.

The City Council is now looking to fill vacancies on those commissions, potentially screening for future political candidates. At the same time, the final slate of local candidates for City Council, HUSD, and HARD have been solidified ahead of November. Tonight, we look at the City Commissions and the final slate of candidates for local office in November.

New Appointments For City Commissions

For those who don't know, the City of Hayward has a number of appointed commissions where residents, appointed by the City Council, provide some guidance to the City Council. From the Clean and Green Commission to the Community Services Commission to the Planning Commission, each has its own areas of responsibility. Among them, the Planning Commission is arguably the most important, though serving on any Commission can open political doors.

With the new Districts, the City Clerk's Office has begun tracking District representation on Commissions alongside things like income, education, race/ethnicity, and age. Many districts lack representation on certain Commissions: District 2 is missing from both the Clean and Green and Community Services Commissions, Districts 3 and 4 are missing from the Personnel Commission, and Districts 4 and 5 are missing from the Planning Commission.

There is at least one vacancy on almost every commission this year: 5 on Clean and Green, 2 on Community Services, 3 on the Library Commission, and 1 on the Planning Commission.

Notably, Commissioner Ron Meyers is not seeking reappointment to the Planning Commission after his term ends on September 30th. Local political watchers have guessed Meyers may pursue the District 4 seat up for election in 2028. He approved the Stack data center while on the planning commission in May of last year.

According to city documents, 26 people have applied with the Planning Commission as their preferred appointment. Of those, several have notable credentials. Mariano Sawit served on the now-dissolved Economic Development Committee—not to be confused with the Council Economic Development Committee. Gloria Argueta served on the Longwood Neighborhood Task Force. Daisy Maxion is currently serving on the Community Services Commission, and has for the past several years.

The City Council received a digital binder with applications on August 7th and completed a Selection Form by yesterday (Aug 19). Each Council Member will choose a number of candidates for the vacancies based on the applications, and any applicant who is selected by three or more City Council members will be invited to interviews on August 25th.

Update On Local Election 2026

We're taking a close look at the candidates for local offices at the City, School Board, and Parks District to better inform your votes in November.

City of Hayward

Mayor (At-Large)

Mark Salinas is the current Mayor of Hayward. His platform includes building a strong budget, investing in public safety, creating local jobs and a better environment for local businesses, safe roads, and his Education City initiative. Even after spending over $11,000 this year on advertisements, flyers, and events, Salinas still has almost $47,000 on hand. Recent contributions are largely smaller donations—between $100 and $300, but he counts among his supporters Supervisors Nate Miley and Lena Tam, as well as building and construction trade unions like UA, and realtors and investors.

Tom Wong, who has previously run as a Republican, describes himself as a businessman, public safety professional, and investigative journalist. He does not appear to have a campaign committee for fundraising. His platform includes data centers over housing, no property tax for seniors, safer streets with a focus on policing, capping utility costs, fixing infrastructure, and local jobs. Some of his policies, like capping utility costs and eliminating property tax for seniors, may not be possible under California state law.

City Council District 1

George Syrop is a current City Council member, serving since his election in 2022, and a self-proclaimed Socialist. His platform includes reducing homelessness and expanding renter protections, improving public safety and social services, fixing the loop and building a vibrant downtown, and protecting the environment and clean streets. He has around $13,000 in cash on hand and his recent donations are largely from individuals, with some larger donations from local unions, including Healthcare Workers and LIUNA.

Brian Schott, owner of Admail Inc in south Hayward, has served on the Hayward Planning Commission, the Hayward Hills Neighborhood Task Force, the Hayward Unified Bond Oversight Committee, Chamber of Commerce as Interim CEO, and is a member of the Rotary Club. He filed for candidacy just before the closing deadline and appears to have no website nor campaign committee. In his candidate statement he says his priorities are neighborhood safety with an emphasis on policing, maintaining streets and sidewalks, monitoring/addressing homeless encampments, and increasing the availability of affordable housing.

City Council District 6

Julie Roche is a current City Council member, serving since her election in 2022. According to her website, her priorities include keeping streets clean and safe, addressing homelessness and housing, economic vitality, and protecting the environment. Her most recent campaign filing shows she has around $7,000 in cash on hand with many of her donations coming from unions and other former and current elected officials.

Hayward Unified School District (HUSD)

HUSD District 2

Joann Guzman is a parent in Hayward Unified and describes herself as a Community Volunteer. She has served on multiple committees and bodies, including the Southgate Elementary School PTA. Her platform includes fiscal responsibility, collaborative school environments, oversight of the sixth grade transition, LCAP and LCFF accountability, and long-term sustainability. Guzmann appears to have no campaign committee nor funds at this time.

Joe Ramos is a former HUSD Trustee and describes himself as an Author/Adult Educator. His failed bid for re-election in 2024 leaned heavily on opposing woke kindergarten and union involvement while supporting parent choice. He was vocally anti-LGBTQ+ and was replaced by Trustee Austin Bruckner-Carrillo. Ramos has no current campaign website, but his 2024 re-election site is still available.

HUSD District 4

Michelle Fernelius describes herself as a Parent/Research Director and has children who have attended Eldridge Elementary. She's been active on the PTO at Eldridge, Special Education Advocacy, School Site Decision Making, School Site Council, and a Parent Ambassador. Her most recent campaign filing shows she has no money on hand, though documents indicate she has a job which earns over $100,000 per year. Her platform includes supporting visual and performing arts and supporting all children in the district.

Maria Araceli Orozco describes herself as a Parent/Caregiver/Student and is a frequent attendee of HUSD Board of Trustees meetings. She has unsuccessfully run for HUSD Board in the past, and has no campaign committee nor website available. Orozco has frequently criticized the HUSD Board for a number of issues, especially around the budget and transparency.

Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (HARD)

HARD District 4

Paul Hodges is a current HARD Director and has been for almost 20 years. His website, unfortunately, appears to be a domain without a site attached. His Form 700 filing lists a real estate business, but he claims it only brings in less than $10,000 per year in income. He also claims that a rental property of his generates less than $10,000 per year.

Joe Giltner describes himself as a Community Advocate and Fairview resident. He appears to have no campaign committee nor funding beyond his own. His campaign website lists his priorities as fiscal responsibility, transparency, accessibility, parks and conservation, thoughtful growth, and community. He explicitly stands against data centers in Area 4, despite no eligible land use in that area and that HARD likely has no jurisdiction over data center development.

HARD District 2

Sara Lamnin is the incumbent and has served as a HARD Director since her appointment in 2022 when she left the Hayward City Council. Her campaign finance disclosures reveal almost $22,000 in cash on hand, with donations coming from a variety of local elected officials. Her platform includes affordable and accessible recreation for all, environmental justice and preserving open space, and strategic and fiscally sound solutions.

Amanda Alysia Daniels describes herself as a Law Student/Analyst and on her campaign website says that she is a mother whose career spans transportation, public safety and education. She has no campaign committee nor funds at this time. Her campaign priorities include safe and clean parks, community access, and transparent leadership.