Antioch Mayor Wade Harper announced on Wednesday, December 23 that he will be running for Contra Costa County Supervisor, District III.
In 2012, Harper was elected Mayor of Antioch after earning more than 40% of the vote and helped pass two ballot measures for the Police Department. In 2010, Harper was elected to the Antioch City Council while he began his political career in 2008 as an appointed member to the Antioch Unified School District.
Here is his official Press Release
On December 23, 2015, Mayor Wade Harper is announcing his decision to run for Contra Costa County Supervisor, District III. Wade has a proven track record of effective leadership that will benefit the Board of Supervisors and the County.
Wade is the candidate with 24 years in law enforcement who has served as a police manager, and has taught Emergency Preparedness. Wade’s experience makes him the best advocate for Public Safety.
He believes education and critical thinking skills are important as a leader. Wade has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Pastoral Studies from Patten University, where he was Student of the Year. He earned his Master of Business Administration in Leadership from John F. Kennedy University’s School of Management, and was honored as Alumni of the Year. During his career, Wade completed Executive Development Training, Management Training, and the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute where he was selected as class valedictorian.
As a directly-elected mayor of the largest city in District III, Wade has served on the board of directors for several committees such as Transplan, the Highway 4 Bypass, and eBART Committee, as well as East Contra Costa Regional Fee and Financing Authority. Wade is Vice Chair of the Contra Costa County Conference of Mayors. He also meets with the Delta 6, which includes the East County mayors and supervisors and/or their representatives, to discuss regional issues. Wade believes, fiscal stewardship is of the utmost importance. Under Wade’s leadership, the City of Antioch is operating from a solid strategic plan and has approved a policy and practice to commit 50% of all one-time funds and salary savings to reduce unfunded liabilities. The City of Antioch maintains an AA- bond rating.
Wade is a member of the Board of Directors for Tri-Delta Transit who won “The Best Small Transit System in America” award in 2014 for the excellent operation of the transit agency. Wade is also a board member for Delta Diablo which has won multiple awards for their efficient operations. Delta Diablo is a leader amongst sanitation agencies.
Wade understands water issues as the City of Antioch is a city in District III that maintains Senior Water rights. Wade has fought to protect Antioch’s water rights and will continued to fight to protect our Delta.
“What do I want people to know about me? That I am a man of faith and a family man. I have prepared myself to lead and I consider my service to the community as my calling and a life-time commitment.” Wade is a part-time teacher at Antioch High School and teaches “Law Enforcement Careers” in the Leadership in Public Services Academy.
“Due to the time consuming nature of running a winning campaign, I am stepping away from my field representative responsibilities with Senator Glazer.”
Wade’s family supports his run for Supervisor. Wade and his wife Lisa have been married for 26 years. Lisa is an Instructional Assistant for Special Education in the Antioch Unified School District. Their children attended Antioch Unified School District and the California State University system. I respectfully request your support to serve as Contra Costa County Supervisor, District III.
Harper becomes the fourth candidate to announce his campaign for Supervisor to fill a seat that will be open after Supervisor Mary Piepho will retire and not seek a fourth term in 2016. East Bay Regional Park District Trustee Diane Burgis announced yesterday. Odessa LeFrancois, President of the NAACP East County Branch announced in November while Oakley City Councilman Doug Hardcastle announced in September.