The race for Union City’s District 1 City Council seat this November brings three candidates with contrasting visions and experience: Wendy Huang, Lance Nishihira, and Erin Robertson. As the election nears, key issues like public safety, taxes, and local business development have emerged as focal points for voters, revealing substantial differences in the candidates’ priorities and qualifications.
Wendy Huang: A Proven Advocate for the Community
Wendy Huang, a longtime community advocate and former Silicon Valley business leader, stands out as the candidate most attuned to the needs of District 1 residents. Throughout the 18-month-long battle over the proposed placement of a recreational marijuana store in District 1- just 35 feet from private homes and 200 feet from a senior housing complex- Huang has been a steadfast supporter of her neighbors. She consistently attended City Council meetings, voiced opposition to the cannabis outlet near private homes, and advocated for the protection of children, families, and seniors in the community. Huang’s dedication to protecting the neighborhood shows her deep commitment to maintaining the safety and integrity of our residential neighborhoods.
On public safety, Huang has positioned herself as a strong advocate for increasing funding to law enforcement to fully staff the Union City police department, while also promoting community policing initiatives. She believes that safety and crime prevention start with a strong relationship between law enforcement and residents. Additionally, she supports mental health services and intervention programs to address non-violent incidents, a crucial element in reducing unnecessary police involvement in such cases and an effective means of curbing homelessness.
Huang also opposes any significant tax increases, arguing that higher taxes would hurt families and small businesses and discourage economic growth. Instead, she champions the streamlining of existing tax incentives for local entrepreneurs and supports programs to help new businesses get off the ground. Huang prioritizes attracting high tech, bio tech and hospitality businesses to Union City that can improve the city’s tax base while providing dependable, well-paying jobs. Her background in high tech and unique business-friendly approach, paired with her desire to make Union City a more attractive place for entrepreneurs, underscores her commitment to boosting local economic development.
Lance Nishihira: Talks ‘Public Safety’, But Lacking Local Engagement
Lance Nishihira, currently a member of the New Haven School Board, brings his own experience to the race but has faced sharp criticism for his lack of engagement with key issues affecting District 1. Nishihira ran for the BART Board of Directors in 2022 but lost, and while he touts a platform of “public safety, clean parks, and making streets safe for everyone,” his campaign has been criticized for offering no specific solutions to pressing issues such as Union City’s on-going budget crisis, nor how to control rising taxes on local residents.
A key point of contention involves Nishihira’s absence during District One’s public battle against the proposed cannabis outlet. While residents were deeply involved in fighting the placement of the marijuana store in a residential neighborhood, Nishihira did not attend any of the City Council meetings on the matter. Many residents have expressed frustration that he failed to show up for this critical local issue, raising doubts about his commitment to the community he seeks to represent.
Insiders have also pointed out that while on the New Haven School Board, Nishihira has developed a reputation for being “argumentative and uncooperative.” In a district promotional video, he admitted that he enjoys “debating” others, and this attitude recently surfaced when he got into an argument with a homeowner in District 1 over crime and residential safety. Furthermore, while Nishihira is running on a campaign to “build a stronger District 1 centered on safety, transparency, and collaboration”, he has demonstrated few if any of those traits and has taken no public position one of the city council’s most contentious issues- the sale of recreational marijuana near homes, schools and places of worship within his own district.
Erin Robertson: An Unprepared and Uninformed Candidate
Erin Robertson has garnered little attention in the race, and for good reason. Lacking both a ground campaign and a website, Robertson has made virtually no effort to engage with voters. Her performance at a Women’s League of Voters candidate night only deepened concerns. Robertson appeared unaware of most major issues facing Union City, and her platform centered almost entirely on the fact that she had driven a city bus for two years. While she claims to be a “strong advocate for public transportation,” she has offered no substantial ideas beyond this experience.
Robertson lists her occupation as a Licensed Cosmetologist, yet no current or past licenses could be found with the Department of Consumer Affairs. Her qualifications remain vague, and it is unclear what expertise she would bring to the council. Many speculate that her candidacy was encouraged as a means of siphoning votes away from the other candidates in the hopes of causing an electoral upset.
In Conclusion: Wendy Huang, The Clear Choice
As the election approaches, the contrast between the candidates could not be more apparent. Wendy Huang has proven time and again that she is dedicated to the community, particularly in her tireless efforts to protect District 1 from potentially harmful developments like the proposed marijuana store. Her focus on public safety, business development, and protecting the interests of residents make her the ideal choice for City Council.
In contrast, Lance Nishihira’s failure to engage with critical local issues raises serious concerns about his ability to represent District 1 effectively. While Nishihira may have experience on the New Haven School Board, his absence during key moments and his lack of concrete proposals weakens his candidacy. Erin Robertson, meanwhile, appears wholly unprepared for the role and has yet to demonstrate that she is a serious candidate.
Voters in District 1 deserve a representative who will show up, listen, and take action. Wendy Huang has proven herself to be that candidate, and she offers the vision and leadership needed to guide Union City into the future. Vote for Wendy Hunag for City Council District 1.