Supervisor Karen Mitchoff to Apply for Contra Costa County-Clerk Position

On Wednesday, Contra Costa County Board of Supervisor Karen Mitchoff said she intends to apply for the Clerk-Recorder position which was vacated by Joe Canciamilla in October.

Canciamilla had 3-years remaining on his term, however, he was hit with a potential $150k fine from the California Fair Political Practices Commission. According to the 13-page finding,  the spending was uncovered in an audit where it says Canciamilla used campaign funds for personal use, campaign reporting omissions/errors, and failure to timely file a pre-election campaign statement – in violation of the Political Reform Act.

With the resignation, the Contra Coasta County Board of Supervisors will select an applicant to fulfill the final 3-years of the term.

Mitchoff said Wednesday that she will not be seeking re-election for her 2022 Board of Supervisor seat and also would not seek election in 2022 for the clerk-recorder position which she said would ensure an open election for the seat for the first time in many years.

“I am pretty fed up with three of our six elected department heads, they have done bad things. The fourth department head was accused of plagiarism,” said Mitchoff. “I’ve worked for Contra Costa County for more than 30-years and we need to restore confidence in our elected officials.”

Should Mitchoff be selected, Governor Gavin Newsom would then select a replacement for Mitchoffs seat on the County Board of Supervisors.

If Mitchoff does apply, she would have to recuse herself from the selection process for the clerk-recorder position.  It would leave Supervisors Candace Andersen, Diane Burgis, John Gioia and Federal Glover left to select the applicant.

Appointment Timeline:

• Nov. 8 – Application Process Open
• Dec. 16 – Deadline for Application to be Submitted
• Dec. 20 – Applications will be made public online.
• Jan 14, 2020 – Board of Supervisors to decide who to interview
• Jan 21, 2020 – Board of Supervisors Interview candidates
• Feb. 4, 2020 – Appointment selection

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors has opened the application period for its appointment of a County Clerk-Recorder. View and download online application.

The completed application and supplemental questionnaire (by hard copy or by email) must be received by 5:00 PM on Monday, December 16th, 2019 in the office of the Clerk of Board Supervisors (651 Pine Street, Room 106, Martinez, CA 94553) or by email to [email protected].

Note applications and attachments provided are public, subject to California Public Records Act (CA Gov. Code §6250-6270), and will be posted online.