Two candidates are vying to replace longtime City Councilmember Mark Ross to represent District 2 in Martinez this year, while Councilmember Satinder Malhi is running unopposed for his District 3 seat.
Ross has been on the council since 1996. He’ll be replaced by either former planning commissioner Greg Young or deputy county counsel Dylan Radke.
Both candidates vying to replace Ross point to their roots in the community as big factors as to why they should replace him.
Greg Young
Young said on his campaign site he’s “a voice for the new Martinez — a Martinez that cares about the environment, economic justice, and ensuring that the city works for everyone, not just a privileged few.”
Young is a senior deputy commissioner at the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation. He said on his site he oversees the regulation of financial institutions, ensuring they meet the needs of all Californians, particularly those in low- to moderate-income areas.
“His work at Umpqua Bank and Wells Fargo focused on creating lending programs that specifically supported working families, small businesses, and communities historically overlooked by traditional financial services,” his site said.
Young said on his site his history of involvement includes being on the Martinez Planning Commission, which gave him gave him “firsthand experience in making decisions that shape the future of the city while keeping the needs of working families front and center.”
The father of three has also been a member of the Juvenile Hall Auxiliary and the Boys and Girls Club of Contra Costa.
“He understands that homeownership is increasingly out of reach for many, and he’s committed to fighting for policies that ensure affordable housing and fair wages for union workers and young professionals,” his site said. “He’s not interested in the old-school ‘Not in My Backyard’ approach that slows progress. Instead, he’s focused on smart growth and sustainable solutions that prioritize the people of Martinez.”
Young’s site said his priorities include enhancing neighborhood safety, supporting local businesses, expanding housing opportunities, and responsibly developing the waterfront marina and said, “He will ensure that our city’s budget is managed with transparency and care, so that Martinez can continue to thrive for generations to come.”
Dylan Radke
Young is squaring off against Radke, a lifelong Martinez resident whose parents both served on the Martinez City Council, according to his website. His father also represented Martinez on the board for the East Bay Regional Park District for more than 30 years.
Radke has practiced law for more than 24 years, currently serving as a deputy county counsel in Contra Costa.
The father of two has spent 21 years serving Martinez on local boards and commissions, including the parks and recreation commission, the marina commission, the Shell citizen advisory panel, and the Martinez Education Foundation.
In 2008, Radke co-chaired the Measure H campaign for a $30 million bond measure to remodel and improve the Martinez Library, city parks and rebuild the Rankin Aquatic Center. In 2016, Radke chaired the Measure R campaign for a $120 million bond measure to replace or substantially remodel all four Martinez Unified School District elementary schools.
Radke said his priorities include providing refinery accountability, ensuring quick response times to emergencies in neighborhoods and schools, protecting police and fire staffing levels, and cracking down on vandals targeting city neighborhoods and parks.
He said, if elected, he’d help create good jobs and manage growth by encouraging businesses to grow in Martinez by streamlining city processes. He also said he wants to encourage growth that fits with the community, make sure city government and other services are efficient and sustainable, and provide safe and clean parks and neighborhood amenities.
Radke also said he wants to improve and maintain parks while adding new parks and recreational amenities. He said he also wants to protect open spaces and the waterfront while restoring the marina.
Election Day is Nov. 5. Visit the Contra Costa County Clerk Recorder’s website to find more election information.