A week after the unprecedented removal of Sheriff Christina Corpus, San Mateo County supervisors on Tuesday debated whether to appoint her successor or wait until June 2026 for voters to choose the county’s next top law enforcement officer.
The Board of Supervisors faces a dilemma between mounting costs from the removal process and the public choice for the next leader of the 800-person office with a $300 million-plus budget. While most supervisors signaled support for waiting until June 2026 to hold an election and avoid the $3.2 million cost of a special vote, they also worried about leaving a non-elected official in charge for months.
Undersheriff Dan Perea, appointed by Corpus last year, is serving as the acting sheriff while the position remains vacant — a situation that some community members have raised as concerning, given his close ties to the former sheriff.
Corpus, elected in 2022 as the county’s first Latina sheriff, was removed last week for alleged conflict-of-interest violations and retaliation. It was the first time in California history that a county board of supervisors has ousted a sitting sheriff.
Her removal was made possible by Measure A, a charter amendment approved by voters in March that allows the board to remove a sheriff for cause with a four-fifths vote through 2028 — the end of what would have been Corpus’ term. The measure gives the board 30 days to either appoint a replacement or call a special or regular election.
Board President David Canepa acknowledged an election would be costly if held off-cycle, but called it the “cost of democracy.”
“Those would be dollars well spent considering the crisis that we’re in,” Canepa said. “And this is the cost of democracy and bringing healing to a department that has gone through so much.”
Supervisors Jackie Speier and Lisa Gauthier supported a June 2026 election, saying it would give candidates time to prepare their campaigns and engage with the community.
Meanwhile, Supervisor Ray Mueller emphasized the importance of giving voters a choice but expressed concerns about the long-term effects of holding an off-cycle election.
Although the county charter does not allow for an interim appointment, Mueller suggested appointing a sheriff who would pre-sign a resignation effective before the June 2026 election and agree not to run for the seat. He also noted that a simple majority could win the election, with as little as 10–11% of the vote.
“It would be a winner-take-all special election,” Mueller said. “And that means that someone with as low as 10% of the vote could become sheriff.”
Mueller noted this workaround would give the sheriff’s office a brief period of stable, vetted leadership until the higher-turnout primary election. But County Attorney John Nibbelin confirmed that nothing in the charter would prevent the appointee from changing their mind about running.
“The board, to be clear, when they make an appointment, they’re not making an interim appointment,” Nibbelin said. “And if somebody decided that they didn’t want to resign after they told you they would, we as a county would be stuck with that.”
Supervisor Noelia Corzo said choosing the next sheriff is critical to protecting the county’s vulnerable immigrant residents, citing President Donald Trump’s threats to send federal agents and the National Guard to neighboring San Francisco.
“I also think that, you know, with the reality of the federal administration right now, this is a really sensitive time for our community,” Corzo said. “And frankly, I personally feel a lot of pressure to make sure that we are protecting our undocumented community because they are very, very vulnerable right now. And who we have or when we have someone to fill the role of sheriff in this county is going to be really critical.”
Because Corpus is seeking reinstatement through ongoing legal challenges, the county agreed to keep the position vacant for at least 14 days.
The process has already cost taxpayers millions.
The March special election alone cost $4.4 million, according to county appropriations records, while the investigation into Corpus’ alleged misconduct by retired Judge LaDoris Cordell in November 2024 added at least $200,000.
Corpus was allowed to retire — a decision she said was made “under duress” — in order to keep her pension and health benefits. Transparent California records show Corpus earned $384,000 in 2024, including bonuses and other compensation.
Canepa told KTVU that Corpus was entitled to 90% of her salary and that the board would not challenge her retirement. However, a county spokesperson said the county has no control over the sheriff’s retirement benefits, which are administered by the San Mateo County Employees’ Retirement Association (SamCERA).
“(It) is a separate legal entity from the county; the county does not administer retirement benefits and therefore I can’t speak to retirement benefits or other details,” said county spokesperson Effie Milionis Verducci. “The actions taken under Measure A are distinct actions. Corpus was removed from office by a unanimous vote by the Board of Supervisors, and that action was not affected (by her retirement).”
SamCERA confirmed that Corpus was allowed to retire, but did not disclose the terms of her retirement package, citing privacy concerns.
Apart from her retirement, county officials have not revealed additional expenses related to investigations, consultants, or legal fees, due to attorney-client privilege.
Moving forward with Corpus’ replacement, supervisors said they plan to hold a special evening session on Oct. 28 to gather public and stakeholder feedback, with a final decision expected at the Nov. 4 meeting.