THREE CANDIDATES VYING to be the next sheriff of San Mateo County answered dozens of questions from the public during a forum ahead of the Board of Supervisors’ final decision.
After a measure passed that gave the board the power to remove the sheriff, supervisors decided to make a long-term appointment for the next sheriff instead of holding an election.
Sheriff Christina Corpus was fired last month, concluding over a year of scandals that rocked her office. The next sheriff will serve the remainder of Corpus’ term, which expires in 2028.
After a round of interviews with the board last Thursday, supervisors whittled the list from six candidates to three finalists.
On Monday, sheriff hopefuls Kenneth Binder, Brian Wynn Huynh Travis, and David Lazar answered several questions chosen from a cache of nearly 400 questions submitted by members of the public. The questions centered around the candidate’s positions on “modern policing,” accountability, transparency, and possible cooperation with federal immigration officials.
On modern policing
Modern policing, also known as 21st century policing, is an approach to law enforcement that focuses on engagement with the community and officer well-being. The county is specifically looking for a sheriff who can employ modern policing.
“The questions shared by members of our community demonstrate how much people care about public safety in our county,” said Supervisor Ray Mueller in a statement.
The board sat in the front row of the audience, while Binder, Travis, and Lazar sat on the dais.
Travis on restoring trust and morale
Travis discussed his desire to restore trust between the public and the Sheriff’s Office through implementing modern policing while also bringing back cohesion and pride within the ranks.
Travis has more than 25 years of public safety experience and currently serves as Police Chief for the Solano Community College District.
Travis said he has been visiting the county jails for the past few weeks to gauge employee morale. He said that nepotism has been a big concern for deputies, and he wants to change that.
“It’s not about merit,” Travis said. “It’s about who you know for the last couple of years.”
Lazar on strengthening internal leadership
Lazar emphasized his plans to form an executive team from those already within the Sheriff’s Office instead of bringing in outsiders.
Lazar recently retired from a 33-year career in law enforcement after rising to assistant police chief for the San Francisco Police Department.
If hired, he discussed his intent to dismiss one of his former colleagues in San Francisco — Undersheriff Dan Perea.
Perea, who has assumed the duties of sheriff after Corpus’ removal, was hired by her after former Undersheriff Chris Hsuing abruptly stepped down in June 2024, just a few months before the turmoil in the Sheriff’s Office began to be publicized. Perea was Corpus’ loyal right-hand-man in the last year of the scandal in the Sheriff’s Office.
Many members of the public and those who have worked with Lazar expressed their support for him, citing his experience in San Francisco.
“Mr. Lazar was clearly a great leader at SFPD,” said San Carlos resident Tim Ryan in a written comment. “What this county needs is a straight shooter with good communication skills and a strong commitment to community policing. I believe you’ll find that in Mr. Lazar.”
Binder on restoring stability and unity
Binder, who is currently the Interim Police Chief in Gilroy, mentioned how he first wants to try and heal the Sheriff’s Office.
“My 27-year career in law enforcement has given me both the depth and the breadth of experience that matches what’s needed right here in San Mateo County for the Sheriff’s Office,” he said.
Binder has experience entering departments after drama. He briefly served as Acting Sheriff of Santa Clara County in 2022 after former Sheriff Laurie Smith retired early just before a civil grand jury convicted her of corruption and willful misconduct. Binder said in his application that in his role as acting sheriff, he helped stabilize the office.
He discussed how his past experience of stepping into the role of acting sheriff during a tumultuous time makes him a suitable candidate, as one of the main tasks of the next San Mateo County Sheriff will be to mend a fractured department with low morale.
Binder also tried to differentiate himself from Lazar, saying that working in a sheriff’s office is much different than in a police department.
Each candidate said that they would refuse to work with federal immigration authorities, a concern that has heightened as deportation operations have escalated under President Donald Trump.
The San Mateo County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, one of the unions for members of the Sheriff’s Office, has decided to not endorse a candidate due to the short time frame given to extensively evaluate each candidate. The public was introduced to the candidates less than one week ago when the application portal closed last Wednesday.
“After a series of interviews, careful consideration, and thoughtful debate, the Deputy Sheriff’s Association will not be endorsing any of the candidates for Sheriff,” the union said in a statement on Tuesday. “This is not a reflection on the candidates, who we find to be highly qualified for the position, but rather a reflection on the tight timeline afforded for this process, which has made it impossible to thoroughly vet each of the candidates to make a full and fair assessment of them.”
The Board will make a final selection of the next sheriff on Wednesday during a special meeting. It will begin at 9 a.m. in the board chambers at 500 County Center in Redwood City.