Federal Glover, a Contra Costa supervisor since 2000, won’t seek reelection
Federal Glover was a Pittsburg city councilman and mayor before joining the board in 2000.
MARTINEZ — Contra Costa County Supervisor Federal Glover announced Monday that he won’t seek reelection in 2024, ending his 24-year career on the board and paving the way for a new politician to take his place.
Glover, a 67-year-old Democrat and the first and only Black person ever to serve as a Contra Costa supervisor, announced his “retirement” from the board in a news release Monday afternoon. He did not say what he’s planning to do next. He will finish his current term, set to expire in December 2024.
Before his election in 2000, he served as a city councilmember and mayor of Pittsburg, where he’s lived all his life. Despite his long ties to East Contra Costa, Glover’s also represented other parts of the northern Contra Costa waterfront, from Pinole and Crockett to Pacheco and Clyde as a supervisor. He’s sat on many other local and regional boards, most notably the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.
“Supervisor Glover’s leadership will be missed, but his legacy will live on in the many lives he touched during his time in office,” his county office said in an unusual news release that provided no quote from Glover. “We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”
In 2015, Glover’s serious health concerns sparked speculation that he would end his political career. But after two months of waiting on an organ donor list, he underwent kidney and heart transplant surgery, recovered and returned to work.
West Contra Costa Supervisor John Gioia, who served with Glover for the past two-plus decades, told this news organization Monday evening that he “will greatly miss my long time friend and colleague.”
“We worked together on many initiatives to make Contra Costa a healthier and more equitable place. Supervisor Glover cared most about improving opportunities for youth and making sure our most vulnerable residents got the help they needed to thrive and be successful,” Gioia said. “His leadership and advocacy on behalf of those most underserved will be missed.”
Glover will spend his final year on the board as chair, a position he’s held four times.
The District 5 seat held by Glover is up for reelection in the March 5, 2024 primary election. Currently, the district includes includes Pittsburg, Martinez, Hercules and Rodeo and portions of Antioch and Pinole as well the unincorporated communities of Alhambra Valley, Bay Point, Briones, Rodeo, Pacheco, Crockett, Tormey, Port Costa, Mt. View, Vine Hill, Reliez Valley and Clyde.
Pittsburg city councilmembers Shanelle Scales-Preston and Jelani Killings, along with Antioch Councilmember Mike Barbanica, have already filed initial paperwork to run for Glover’s seat.
Because Glover is not running, the deadline for candidates to file is Dec. 12. It was not clear Monday evening if county Assessor Gus Kramer, who unsuccessfully tried to unseat Glover in 2020, would enter the race.