3rd Annual Insidey Awards

East Bay Insiders Podcast 3rd Annual Insidey Awards honoring the highs and lows in East Bay politics in 2025. Follow along with the list of this year's nominees:

—Best performance by a public official

• Ken Houston, Oakland

• Kevin Jenkins, Oakland

• Jack Balch, Pleasanton

• Nikki Fortunato Bas, Alameda County

• Igor Tregub, Alameda County Democratic Party chair

—Worst performance by a public official(s)

• Bryan Azevedo, San Leandro councilmember

• Hayward City Council

• Fred Simon, San Leandro councilmember

• Victor Aguilar, Jr., San Leandro councilmember

—Best quote

• Ken Houston, Oakland: "We had our straps, but we weren't shooting no guns."

• Julie Testa, Pleasanton councilmember: "You don't have the right to control me, mayor."

• Mark Salinas, Hayward mayor: "I feel like I failed. I really do, as a mayor."

• Nate Miley, Alameda County supervisor: "I'm just letting you know. I'm letting you know. Respectfully, letting you know if you start jumping into the unincorporated area and not respecting the supervisor, or supervisors that represent the unincorporated area, there could be ramifications."

• Ken Houston: "There's going to be some order in this court."

—Best Hair

• Rob Bonta, California attorney general

• David Haubert, Alameda County supervisor

• Pamela Price, former Alameda County DA

—Best performance by a public speaker

• Al Mendall, Hayward

• Gene Hazard, Oakland

• Tod Hickman, Alameda

—Best Fight

• East Bay MUD Board vs. Board Director April Chan

• Oakland Councilmember Ken Houston vs. Oakland Public Works Director Josh Rowan

• Pleasanton Mayor Jack Balch vs. Councilmember Julie Testa