Peralta trustees endorse incumbents in November elections

Peralta trustee incumbents get support from other trustees in November 2 election. One trustee challenger splits dual endorsement

With the November 2 election a little less than two weeks away, candidates for the Peralta Board of Trustees are preparing to make a final push for their campaigns.

With three incumbents running for office – and one who won’t appear on the ballot – at a time when the board has been under major scrutiny, it’s not a surprise that the the incumbents are backed by their board colleagues.

"I can work with whoever wins.
Abel Guillen
Peralta Board President

Trustee Dr. William “Bill” Riley, the board’s longest serving member, is facing opposition for the first time. The three-term incumbent has been endorsed by a majority of the board.

Riley has been endorsed by trustees Cy Gulassa, Linda Handy, and Oakland mayoral hopeful Marcie Hodge. Board President Abel Guillen endorsed Riley earlier this year and contributed to his campaign.

In Area 3, two-term incumbent Trustee Handy has been endorsed by most of her board colleagues. Trustees Gulassa and Bill Withrow have both endorsed Handy. Trustee Riley has also endorsed Handy and contributed to her campaign.

Peralta Board President Abel Guillen endorsed Handy early on, but later decided to endorse Monica Tell. Four years ago, Guillen became the first Latino on the Peralta board when he successfully unseated two-term incumbent Alona Clifton.

“I can work with whoever wins,” Guillen said of his dual endorsement.

Trustee Nicky Gonzalez Yuen did not respond to a request for comment on this story. He is not listed on any candidate’s website as an endorsee.

Riley’s opponent, William J. Mattox, has not received any endorsements from sitting trustees.

Riley is also supported by former Peralta trustees Amey Stone and Darryl Moore. Handy is also endorsed by former trustee and current Berkeley City Councilmember Moore. Both are supported by Marlon McWilson, a member of the Alameda County Board of Education who ran against Marcie Hodge in 2008.