David Canepa and Jim Irizarry compete for San Mateo County assessor-county clerk-recorder position

Canepa is currently serving in his third term on the Board of Supervisors. If he wins the election, he would leave his seat two years early. The early step away from the governing body would be worth it to address “an array of problems that continue today” within the Assessor-County Clerk Recorder’s Office, he said. 

The supervisor is running because he believes the office is “not functioning at the highest level,” but Irizarry said he’s in the race to continue the work he’s accomplished so far. 

Through working in the office for over 13 years, Irizarry has developed a close understanding of day-to-day operations. His expertise is in the field, and he said he is far more knowledgeable in the office’s functions than his political opponent. 

The Assessor-County Clerk Recorder’s Office is the “largest custodian of data in the county” and a complicated, consolidated department that represents the economic engine of the Bay Area, Irizarry said. Leading the department requires expertise, he said.  

“I bring a lot of education, experience and hands-on experience in not only managing the department but developing it to where it is,” Irizarry said. “He doesn’t have the skill set, the temperament, the personality.” 

Canepa’s experience is in managing and leadership, which is exactly what he hopes to bring to the office that’s different from Irizarry, who would maintain the status quo. Even without intimate knowledge of the office, Canepa said he can help steer it in the right direction.

“It’s not an issue of experience, it’s an issue of leadership,” Canepa said. “I want to make sure we bring professionalism back to the office to make sure it functions at its highest level.”

Morale within the office is “horrible,” Canepa said, and a lot of that is due to current leadership. 

While Canepa is endorsed by the union workers that operate within the Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder’s Office and know Irizarry well, Irizarry is signed off by Canepa’s colleagues on the Board of Supervisors, both current and past. 

“His personality creates a hostile and offensive environment,” Irizarry said. “I was asked to run, because you need a professional in this position, not a politician.” 

Although three of Canepa’s fellow board members endorsed his opponent, the supervisor boasted about working with his own staff very effectively, which he would continue in his new role if elected. 

“All of my employees have been with me for 10 years,” Canepa said. “The people who work for me, I listen to them, we collaborate, we do good things together.” 

Addressing vacancy rates, and hiring full-time deputies in the clerk, elections and assessor departments would be an early focus of Canepa’s, should he be elected. 

“I can’t do this alone,” Canepa said. “I need people with extensive experience to help me and I’ll work in concert with them to make sure we get the office on track.”

In response to reported low morale within the office in which he works, Irizarry said “it depends on who you speak to” and that many employees complain when they’re told to work in person or long hours. 

Although Irizarry could be eligible to retire at his age, he said he’s in good enough shape to lead the office for at least two terms and said he has “more energy than 95% of the employees.” 

“Birds fly, horses run, public servants serve and they serve with passion, and I have that,” Irizarry said. “Some are concerned about that passion, because I’m going to require an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay. And if you can give more, do it.” 

The race took an odd political turn last week, when Irizarry’s former political affiliation was made public. The assistant assessor-county clerk-recorder and assistant chief elections officer was registered with the American Independent Party, a far-right affiliation, for years by mistake, he said.

And despite any party affiliation, a key point of Irizarry’s campaign is that he is not a political figure — something that Canepa can’t say as a seasoned elected official. 

“Politics is the antithesis of this office,” Irizarry said. “We need to have integrity, we can’t be beholden to anyone. We have to maintain a posture of neutrality and independence.” 

Canepa’s campaign quickly publicized Irizarry’s former political registration. He said it was important that “we represent San Mateo County voters.”

The seat will be up for vote June 2.