Educators to battle it out in Livermore City Council election
Balloting for Livermore City Council will take place in two districts on November 8, while voters will also take to the polls to elect a new mayor
LIVERMORE – Livermore will hold its first municipal election since the City Council completed its redistricting process earlier this year, with balloting taking place in Districts 1 and 2, located in northern Livermore, on Nov. 8.
Residents will also be voting for a new mayor, after current Mayor Bob Woerner announced earlier this year that he wouldn’t <a href=”https://www.mercurynews.com/2022/03/26/former-livermore-mayor-john-marchand-will-run-for-seat-again-in-fall/”>be seeking re-election</a> because of medical issues.
District 1
Two educators are running to represent District 1: high school teacher Evan Branning and preschool teacher Carol Wahrer.
“Working with my students was the main thing that inspired me to run. They’re really struggling when they get out of high school to find jobs that pay them enough to be able to stay in the region and to find housing they can afford,” Branning says.
Branning previously served on the Livermore Human Services Commission and the Alameda Public Health Commission and currently serves on the city Planning Commission.
If elected, he says that his main focus would be on affordable housing and helping the homeless community by working more closely with the county.
“I bring a good perspective because of my background in working on public health and housing. I’m hopeful I can make a difference and really help,” he says.
Branning has been endorsed by Livermore-Pleasanton Firefighters Association, Alameda Labor Council and Congressman Eric Swalwell, among others.
Wahrer, who has lived in Livermore since 1987, would also make public safety a priority, which she thinks can be aided by more police bicycle patrols and neighborhood watch programs.
On homelessness, her suggestions include using city property to provide safe, policed areas for those living in vehicles and making information on services easier to find. Environmental issues would also be on her agenda.
“I’d love to have better transportation and a focus on walkability,” says the mother of one. “People in the community have a lot of really good ideas, like putting stop signs or speed bumps in certain places, and I think it would be great to start with those.”
District 2
There is also a teacher running in District 2: former Berryessa Union School District trustee Ben Barrientos.
Barrientos has lived in Livermore for over 20 years and is currently president of the Livermore Lions Club. He previously served on Alameda County’s Civil Grand Jury.
If elected, his focus would be on affordable housing, public safety and environmental issues, and he would like to double the city budget for the arts. He is endorsed by the Sierra Club.
Business owner Mel Chiong, who is originally from the Philippines, is running against Barrientos. The mother of two has called Livermore home for 24 years and serves on the city’s General Plan Advisory Committee.
“I think that my experience with the committee, along with my active community involvement, has prepared me to serve on the council,” Chiong says.
Chiong is advocating for improvements to the district’s Springtown Open Space project and for more pedestrian and bike lanes in the city. She would also like to focus on sustainability and affordable housing if elected.
“I really want to see Livermore continue to be the thriving, welcoming and dynamic city that it has become.”
Chiong has been endorsed by the Alameda County Democratic Party, the Asian Pacific American Democratic Caucus, and all current council members, including Mayor Bob Woerner.
Woerner also has endorsed former Mayor John Marchand for mayor.
Marchand was first elected to the City Council in 2005 and served as mayor from 2011 to 2020. He is running against business owner and former police officer Mony Nop.
