Local Leaders Urge 'Yes' Vote On Measure To Remove SMC Sheriff

REDWOOD CITY, CA — As ballots for a special election begin arriving in the mailboxes of San Mateo County residents, a crowd of local leaders stood in solidarity with Sheriff's Office employee unions on Wednesday to support Measure A, a ballot measure that would give the county Board of Supervisors the power to oust embattled Sheriff Christina Corpus.

Dozens of city council members and mayors from various cities in the county gathered outside the County Center in Redwood City, holding up signs that read "Yes on A: Remove the Sheriff."

"Back in 2020 I was an early supporter of Sheriff Christina Corpus," said Redwood City Mayor Elmer Martinez Saballos. "But the unprecedented crisis that has enveloped this agency due to Sheriff Corpus' leadership puts our community at risk, our deputies at risk, our civilian staff at risk ... We all have a responsibility to call out unacceptable behavior and Measure A is that opportunity."

Calls for Corpus to resign arose after a 400-page investigation into her administration was released in November. It contained findings of abuse of power, retaliation, intimidation, homophobia and racism in Corpus' office and also accused her of having an inappropriate relationship with her chief of staff.

"Under Sheriff Corpus' command, there has been a loss of confidence in her leadership," Carlos Tapia, president of the San Mateo County Deputy Sheriff's Association union, said during the press conference. Tapia was unlawfully arrested in November, an action that some perceived as retaliation from Corpus for his outspoken criticism of her.

The Board of Supervisors currently does not have the authority to remove the sheriff or any other elected official.

After Corpus refused to step down, the county moved forward with holding a special election set for March 4 in which voters will decide on Measure A, a charter amendment that would grant the board temporary power to remove the sheriff for certain reasons.

"The amendment would allow the Board of Supervisors to remove the sheriff for cause," said Eliot Storch, secretary of the deputies' union, also known as DSA. "The amendment sunsets in 2028. The DSA believes that the Board of Supervisors has more than enough cause to remove Sheriff Corpus."

Those causes include "violation of law related to a Sheriff's duties, flagrant or repeated neglect of duties, misappropriation of public funds, willful falsification of documents, or obstructing an investigation," according to the ballot measure.

Corpus referred to the ballot measure as "an orchestrated and politically motivated attack," she wrote in a statement Wednesday.

"The special Measure A election is not about public safety -- it is a blatant attempt by entrenched political forces within the Sheriff's Office to undo change and silence your voices. This is an attack on democracy, accountability, and the future of law enforcement in San Mateo County," Corpus wrote.

Some residents have already received their ballots and voted.

"I voted this morning and brought my sticker with me," said San Mateo City Councilmember Lisa Diaz Nash during Wednesday's press conference. "I am urging everyone in our community, as soon as you get your ballot, to sign it, mail it back in and vote 'yes' on Measure A."

The cities of San Carlos and Millbrae have already issued a vote of 'no confidence' in Corpus. The San Mateo City Council is holding a special meeting Thursday to consider a similar stance.

The Redwood City City Council is also planning to potentially endorse the measure at their next meeting Monday.

"We all have a voice and a responsibility to say enough is enough," said Martinez Saballos, Redwood City's mayor. "On March 4, I hope you'll join us in demanding what kind of sheriff San Mateo County deserves."

Story by Alise Maripuu, Bay City News.

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