Mark Simon and Bob Marks welcome Supervisor Lisa Gauthier to discuss the demanding political landscape of San Mateo County. Supervisor Gauthier served 12 years on the East Palo Alto City Council from 2012 to 2024, including serving as mayor during the pandemic. After being elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2024, she immediately became involved in the ongoing controversy regarding former Sheriff Christina Corpus.

Supervisor Gauthier details the high-profile process to appoint a new sheriff, noting that the situation has been a "huge distraction" from necessary county work and has been "weighing heavy on everyone". She explains the Board’s decision to pursue an appointment rather than a special election, citing that an election would cost additional resources and money. Furthermore, Gauthier felt an immediate appointment was fairer, as a short-timeline election favors popular candidates who already possess resources.

The Board recently held a four-hour hearing with the applicants. Gauthier believes that two candidates show "a lot of promise": Ken Binder (the former undersheriff in Santa Clara County) and David Lazar (the assistant chief of police in San Francisco). She is looking forward to the public hearing on Monday to see how applicants handle themselves with public comments.

The qualities she seeks in the next sheriff include integrity, authenticity, accountability, and the ability to heal a fractured department. She also stresses the importance of finding a leader who understands how the jail is operating and will ensure that incarcerated individuals are protected.

Gauthier addresses specific historical issues concerning law enforcement's relationship with her constituency in East Palo Alto and North Fair Oaks, mentioning the history of "over policing". East Palo Alto became a city in 1983 specifically to gain self-determination and avoid being policed by the sheriff’s department due to heavy policing. She emphasizes the need for new police leadership to focus on community policing—officers must get out of their cars, engage with residents, and avoid judging people based on the color of their skin.

Once the sheriff issue is finalized, Supervisor Gauthier is eager to focus on top constituent priorities:

• Childcare Costs: San Mateo County has the fifth highest child care cost. When costs reach $4,000 a month, it becomes a barrier to families working.

• Immigration: District 4 has a large immigrant community, and many residents are "scared and nervous" and require assistance.

• Displacement and Homelessness: These issues remain persistent due to the high cost of living.

Additionally, Gauthier confirms she has 100% confidence in County Executive Mike Halig, noting that an investigation proved allegations made by former Sheriff Corpus against him were false. She also discusses the difficulty in setting a clear policy regarding zero cooperation with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

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Produced by Frank Bravo, BravoITC.com.

In this episode, recorded the day after the November 2025 election, Mark and Bob are joined by U.S. Congressman Kevin Mullin to analyze the results and national political landscape.

Episode 16 dives deep into the overwhelming passage of Prop 50 in California, a single-item special election that saw an astounding 58.5% voter turnout. Congressman Mullin discusses the landslide win and the governor's vision that framed the measure as a critical defense against attacks on California by the authoritarian president. Prop 50's success, which involved mid-decade redistricting, is seen as a strong national message that Californians recognize the threats to democracy. Mullin also explains the nuance that the measure was temporary, intended to preserve the power of the non-partisan citizens commission for the next census.

Key Topics Discussed:

• National Democratic Wins: Analyzing whether the Democratic victories in Virginia, New Jersey, and other states constitute a "rebuke of Trump" or signal that "Democrats are back". Mullin argues that successful candidates, whether progressive or moderate, share a focus on affordability and kitchen table issues.

• The Government Shutdown: Examining the real-world effects of the longest government shutdown in history, particularly the impending loss of Affordable Care Act tax credits and the immediate expiration of SNAP benefits for vulnerable residents. Mullin calls out the administration for its "chaos" and providing unreliable information.

• The Redistricting Arms Race: Discussion of the "troubling trend" where 20 states are considering redistricting efforts, potentially leading to increased partisan advantage. Mullin outlines the goal for California Democrats to win all five newly redrawn seats.

• Gavin Newsom’s 2028 Prospects: Following the Prop 50 victory, the conversation shifts to Governor Newsom's rising political profile and his status as a potential frontrunner for the 2028 presidential nomination. Mullin praises Newsom as a masterful communicator and savvy politician.

• Local San Mateo Issues: The local vote by the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors to appoint a new sheriff after Sheriff Corpus was removed from office. Mullin expresses disappointment in the saga and the urgent need for a leader to stabilize the office.

Mark and Bob conclude the show reflecting on the comprehensive nature of the issues facing Congressman Mullin's job.

Find more episodes at TheGamePeninsula.com.

Produced by Frank Bravo, BravoITC.com

In this episode of The Game with Mark Simon and Bob Marks, we take a wide-ranging look at politics, culture, sports, and community issues shaping life on the Peninsula.

We start with Measure 50 and what it could mean for local voters, before exploring the challenges of presidential decorum and today’s cultural divide. The discussion moves to Charlie Kirk, the First Amendment, and the state of political speech, followed by a pivot into sports with the San Francisco Giants’ dismissal of Bob Melvin.

From there, we dive into the San Mateo County Sheriff’s race, the impact of district elections, and the growing struggles around housing for younger residents. Finally, we close with a candid conversation about what it really takes to run for office—discipline, likability, and relentless drive.

✨ Key themes in this episode:

• Measure 50 and its implications

• Politics, free speech, and the cultural divide

• Giants baseball and community reactions

• Local elections and district voting

• Housing affordability for young people

• What it takes to win in politics

Learn more at 🌐 TheGamePeninsula.com

Available on all major podcast platforms, just search The Game with Mark Simon and Bob Marks.

👤 Produced by Frank Bravo – BravoITC.com