08 Jan Q&A: ‘Health, Equity and Opportunity for All’ Is Supervisor Gioia’s Main Goal

Contra Costa County District 1 Supervisor John Gioia, center, meets with California Attorney General Rob Bonta, left, and environmental justice leaders. (Courtesy of John Gioia)

Interview, Malcolm Marshall

Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia represents District 1, which covers Richmond, San Pablo and part of Pinole, as well as unincorporated areas of West Contra Costa County such as El Sobrante, Montalvin Manor and North Richmond.

The Pulse spoke with Gioia about his accomplishments in 2024 and his goals moving forward.

Contra Costa Pulse: Looking back at 2024, what stands out to you as your most important achievement, and why?

John Gioia: I am proud of many achievements in 2025, but I’m most proud of the establishment of our county Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice and the work it is doing to end racism and discrimination in Contra Costa. Supervisor Federal Glover and I worked with the community to develop a plan to set up this office and have the community lead the effort to prioritize the work of the office.

CC Pulse: What frustrated you the most over the last year?

 JG: I am frustrated most by the election of Donald Trump as president. His plans to decrease funding for health and social services and to deport many hardworking immigrant families will create huge challenges for us in Contra Costa County. As the social safety net, county government will need to step up and protect those most vulnerable, including the nearly 200,000 lower-income residents who receive healthcare from the county, primarily funded through the federal government.

CC Pulse: What inspired you the most over the last year?

JG: My greatest inspiration comes from working alongside West County residents who demonstrate amazing passion and energy in their efforts to improve life in their communities. Their energy inspires me to continue working on their behalf to improve the economic, environmental and equity conditions of West County.

CC Pulse: What is one lesson you learned in 2024 that will inform your decision-making next year?

JG: In 2024, I continued to learn that our best accomplishments are achieved by working with community and other political leaders.  We accomplish little by working alone but much when we partner with others who have a stake in the issues we are seeking to solve.  I plan to continue this approach in my role as chair of the Board of the Contra Costa Green Empowerment Zone, where we will be working with business, workers, environmental justice leaders, communities and local government to develop a strategy for our county to create and attract high-paying jobs in the new green energy economy as we transition away from fossil fuels.

CC Pulse: In one word, what is the biggest challenge District 1 residents face?

 JG: Economic.

CC Pulse: What is the goal you want to achieve most in 2025?

JG: My main goal continues to be improving the health, equity and opportunity for our community members. Whether it is improving healthcare access, making our air cleaner, providing greater opportunities for youth, decreasing homelessness or increasing job opportunities, working to achieve these outcomes improves health, equity and opportunity for all. That always has been and will remain my major focus and goal.