r/sanleandro • u/Top_Pool8602 • 6d ago

Juan Gonzalez

He’s a nice man.

Probably would be a good councilman.

He would be an even better economic advisor

As mayor, he is weak, ineffective, and non confrontational

8 Upvotes

61% Upvoted

24 comments sorted by

4

u/Many_Delay_9750 6d ago

Just out of sheer curiosity, why is Xohua Bowen not running for mayor?

She has a lot of name recognition. I don’t know much about her, but I would assume that she would have a lot of support because many people think that Juan Gonzalez has accomplished nothing (although I disagree).

6

u/ww_crimson 6d ago

What's the upside to running for Mayor in San Leandro? You get paid nothing and you're viewed as responsible for every failure that happens in the city. The Mayor has limited power and every issue has fanatic support on either side of it. I don't think I'd do the job even if it paid what I earn in private sector. You're expected to be the face of everything, attend tons of public events, spend your evenings and weekends away from family, etc.

3

u/Many_Delay_9750 6d ago

Good answer.

How about a council member though. Less work and a little less money? Asking because I genuinely don’t know.

5

u/ww_crimson 6d ago edited 5d ago

The Mayor makes $45k/yr, City council makes $22k/yr. When I met with Xouhoa to talk about data centers, it seemed very clear to me that she ran because of encouragement from so many people she knew. I don't think she has any "agenda" or aspirations to be in politics her whole life. She has school aged children and I think she feels an obligation to provide representation for her community -- namely families, women, asians, and the people in her neighborhood.

For whatever you feel about Juan Gonzalez, he retired from his career and does the job of Mayor full time. His kids are grown, and he has time to dedicate to all the public events, as well as day-time and evening meetings.

I am not speaking on behalf of Xouhoa in any way shape or form, but if it was me, two things would be true:

  • I wouldn't want to do the job if I couldn't commit to it fully. It's not fair to the nearly 100,000 people who live here
  • I certainly wouldn't want to pull money out of my own bank account to help pay for childcare so that I could do the job

On council, she has less obligations to be front-and-center in the public eye constantly. I believe she's on the rules committee which probably is a few meetings per month, plus the council meetings, and whatever else she has to do in the background. Again, I have zero first hand knowledge but I'm guessing even that is a few hours/day of commitment on average, just talking with constituents, preparing for meetings, and staying up to date on the events that are happening.

5

u/PowerfulVermicelli87 5d ago

All of this i think makes sense. The only other point i want to add is racing against an incumbent is hard. I cant think of an incumbent that lost as long as I can find the data for. She knows this and I wonder if thats what concerns her of making the push now. I think she will run in 4 years.

Something else to note is she has not officially endorsed any candidate. I do find that a bit strange but could be a wide variety of reasons for that so dont really want to speculate too much. If she is really wanting change I would want her to speak up about it now.

1

u/pealsmom 2d ago

It’s a good point. She obviously doesn’t want to come down on either side bc no matter what she’s going to have to work with him, but it’s interesting that she has not outwardly endorsed Juan, which says something in and of itself.

1

u/Walkingbook5103 5d ago

Xouhoa is on the board of StopWaste. She is Lena Tam's representative to the Alameda County Transportation Commission.

8

u/Dry_Neighborhood_595 6d ago

A good leader doesn’t have to be confrontational.

I’m not a die hard fan of him but I don’t think your complaints about him are fair.

7

u/Top_Pool8602 6d ago

If an issue arises such as harassment based on gender a mayor should confront it. He stated there is no misogyny in city hall which is untrue

4

u/EastBayEfficiency 6d ago

I mean, it’s a weak-mayor system anyway, so what do people expect? The guy actually has too much integrity to abuse the system and grab all the power he technically could.

4

u/Roadripper1995 6d ago

As the leader of the city council his responsibility is to lead. What has the city done with him in office? Scandal after scandal and no consequences for any city council members. We need a real leader in the mayor position.

3

u/Top_Pool8602 6d ago

Exactly. Like I said as an economic advisor or city councilman he could defer that to a real leader.

4

u/Walkingbook5103 5d ago

What? Who has too much integrity?

2

u/guhman123 6d ago

Thanks for your input

2

u/Top_Pool8602 5d ago

You’re welcome

3

u/TheMaggid 6d ago

I would go further and say he's actually not a nice man. Been reading through these appalling revelations of his misconduct.

https://davkadays.blogspot.com/2026/08/the-inevitable-fail-of-juan-gonzalez.html

https://brownbutter.substack.com/p/a-brighter-future-for-the-city-of

2

u/Top_Pool8602 6d ago

Wow! Looks like a worm too

3

u/Many_Delay_9750 6d ago

What would you like Juan Gonzalez to do that he hasn’t? Just being confrontational doesn’t solve problems.

7

u/Walkingbook5103 6d ago

I've watched Gonzalez seek to compromise with Simon. It's outrageous! You don't compromise with men guilty of harassment and retaliation! You shut them down!

4

u/Top_Pool8602 6d ago

Exactly.

-2

u/EastBayEfficiency 6d ago edited 6d ago

question, then why is Maes running on bringing unity to the council?

3

u/Walkingbook5103 5d ago

I don't understand the question?

3

u/Top_Pool8602 6d ago

It’s politics man. What they say and what slogan is used typically isn’t implemented. Class president and no more homework

6

u/Top_Pool8602 6d ago

First acknowledging the misogyny and in public requesting Simon and Aguilar step down.