FOR THOSE SEEKING loud, national-level political races with candidates promising big change and going for each other’s throats, the 2024 Walnut Creek City Council election will likely disappoint.
If anything, it seems to be a contest to see who can keep Walnut Creek as Walnut Creek-ish as possible.
Three newcomers — Brendan Moran, Craig DeVinney and Laura Patch — are battling two incumbents for three open spots. Current Mayor Loella Haskew is stepping down after 12 years when her term is up, while the incumbents on the ballot are Kevin Wilk and Cindy Darling.
Kevin Wilk
At a Sept. 10 candidate forum at the Walnut Creek Library, Wilk touted his eight years on the council and his deep roots in the city — he attended Del Valle High School, which closed in 1979, and his mother still lives in the city.
Wilk, the city’s first Jewish councilmember, has become a regional de facto spokesman for the anti-hate movement as council meetings have been targeted by antisemitic groups during public comment periods. Wilk has also been specifically targeted by the groups.
“I’ve been a leading regional voice in denouncing hate speech for any kind,” Wilk said.
Wilk touted his record on helping bring more affordable housing to the city, raising the Pride flag, providing free Wi-Fi downtown, banning flavored vapes and tobacco, and setting up a buffer zone around Planned Parenthood from aggressive protesters. And public safety.
“Public safety is paramount and this is a top priority for me,” Wilk said.
Cindy Darling
Darling, the mayor pro tem, has spent 20 years as a city resident and was elected to the council in 2020 after a decade on the city’s planning commission.
Darling said that as a wildlife biologist by trade, she understands “how to listen to a diverse suite of voices and help people separate out their needs from their wants” to craft win-win situations.
Darling said the current council has reached a place where “we’re really all rowing in the same direction and I think that is something that has led to great progress on public safety, economic vitality, and sustainability.”
Like many of the candidates, Darling touted her involvement with passing Measure O, the 10-year half-cent sales tax increase passed by voters in 2022 funding the new Heather Farm aquatic center and other infrastructure needs. It also funds crime prevention programs, disaster preparedness, homelessness, senior services and programs, art programs, and after-school programs for children.
“I think that personifies what we’re doing as a community,” Darling said. “We went out, we listened to everybody. Each councilmember had a bunch of people they had to talk to. They crafted something that met the needs of our community … that’s what I want to continue doing for our city.”
Brendan Moran
Moran is a real estate broker who has served eight years on the city’s Park, Recreation and Open Space Commission. The father of three has lived in Walnut Creek for 15 years.
“I feel called to make sure that Walnut Creek can remain the city that I love,” said Moran, who was also the co-chairperson of the Yes on Measure O Committee.
“I’ve done the work to get the votes to help pass the initiative that’s going to help finance other parks, increase sports tourism, increase public safety and improve programs for seniors and youth,” Moran said.
Moran is also the incoming co-president of the Community Arts Foundation, an organization that provides scholarships to people with financial needs so they can participate in arts programs. He said his platform “includes economic stability, public safety and sustainable development.”
Craig DeVinney
DeVinney is a John Muir Medical Center emergency room doctor who has lived in Walnut Creek for 18 years and has three kids in local schools.
“I’ve seen almost 50,000 members of our community during some of their most difficult times, so I think that brings a really unique lens through which we can see the city,” DeVinney said.
DeVinney said he served as chairperson of the hospital’s disaster preparedness committee and understands local development, having developed and owned a multi-unit condominium complex.
DeVinney said he wants to focus on public safety — including those suffering from mental health crisis, housing, homelessness, supporting small business and sustainability.
DeVinney said on his campaign site that 28% of Walnut Creek businesses relate to health care.
“Currently there are no members of the City Council with a health care background,” DeVinney said on the site. “I believe my experience and perspective will be a valuable addition to our current council.”
Laura Patch
Patch grew up in Orinda “but always felt like Walnut Creek was an extension of home. It provided a safe, vibrant place to visit and spend time with my friends. My friends and I love that Walnut Creek has become the common center of Contra Costa County.”
Patch said she moved to the city as soon as she could afford to and wants to ensure that more people of her generation can also afford to live there.
She said, if elected, she’d work to balance fighting climate change, addressing the housing crisis and supporting local businesses.
“I am ready to deliver results,” Patch said. “I’m a Walnut Creek transportation commissioner. I serve on the board of two Democratic clubs in the area and on University of San Francisco’s community leadership program.”
Patch said she has worked with the Sustainable Walnut Creek promoting sustainable living and a community cleanup crew.
“I’m running today because I love Walnut Creek and can’t wait to give back. I will serve our community with compassion transparency and innovation,” she said.