BY ADRIANA HERNANDEZ
Daily Post Staff Writer
A supporter of embattled sheriff Christina Corpus, former Half Moon Bay Mayor Joaquin Jimenez, has announced that he is running against San Mateo County Supervisor Ray Mueller of Menlo Park next year.
Jimenez lost his seat on the Half Moon Bay City Council in 2024 to newcomer, Paul Nagengast. Jimenez got 551 votes (41%) to 777 for Nagengast (59%).
Mueller and the other four members of the Board of Supervisors have said they intend to fire Corpus after receiving reports saying the sheriff allegedly hired her boyfriend for a top management position, and dealt with her employees through intimidation and retaliation. Jimenez says he will support Corpus if elected.
It’s possible that Corpus could be removed before next year’s election when Jimenez and Mueller will face off. The civil grand jury has filed four “accusations” against the sheriff that could lead to her removal. In addition, the Board of Supervisors is waiting for a report from a hearing officer before it votes on whether to fire Corpus.
Jimenez said he doesn’t agree with how Mueller has handled the removal of the sheriff. Jimenez said he endorsed Mueller when he was running for supervisor because he thought Mueller was going to do something positive for the community. But he said he was wrong.
“I’m running because democracy matters and it’s unfortunate that the county is not showing it,” Jimenez said.
Jimenez doesn’t agree with the board of supervisors’ decision to release an investigative report by former judge LaDoris Cordell, that detailed the corruption allegations against the sheriff.
Jimenez said it would’ve been more effective for the residents of San Mateo County to recall Corpus.
Jimenez is also unhappy with Mueller, saying he’s neglected the coastside by ignoring the farm workers and the low-income community.
The district that Mueller represents stretches from Pacifica, down to the border of Santa Cruz County, and then across to San Carlos. The district also includes Portola Valley, Woodside, Atherton and Menlo Park.
Jimenez said he has built good relationships with many people across Woodside and Menlo Park.
In the 2024 Half Moon Bay council race, Mueller initially endorsed Jimenez, then withdrew the endorsement. Jimenez said he never got a reason why Mueller pulled the endorsement. But Jimenez said that’s not the reason why he decided to run.
“(Mueller’s) done good for the community, but I think I can do better,” Jimenez said.
Mueller was a longtime Menlo Park councilman and mayor before being elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2022.
Mueller has already racked up several major endorsements. He has the support of Gov. Gavin Newsom, Congressmen Sam Liccardo and Kevin Mullin, and former House members Anna Eshoo and Jackie Speier, who now sits on the board of supervisors with Mueller.
Supervisors usually don’t face challengers for re-election. Instead, candidates wait until the supervisor is term limited at 12 years. When a seat on the board opens up, and there isn’t an incumbent to defend it, the race draws a large field of candidates.
Also on the ballot in 2026 is Supervisor Noelia Corzo’s seat, which includes San Mateo, Foster City and Belmont. She has filed financial forms indicating she will seek re-election. Supervisor David Canepa, who represents Daly City, Colma and South San Francisco, is termed out.
Jimenez is not fit for office. In HMB there were some serious allegations against him that will likely resurface. This is likely the reason Mueller withdrew his support for him as Mayor .
I would bet my lunch money on it that Christina and fake PHD Aenlle are the ones pushing him to run.
Retaliation ,payback it’s all these two corrupt individuals eat drink and breathe.
Jimenez has no chance! He wasn’t worth a sack of dirt as the HMB mayor. More B.S. swirl around Corpus…nothing to see here. Mueller stepped up when no one else in county government took action to stop this abysmal Sheriff. Ray has my vote and many others!!
So, assuming Jimenez is elected in 2026, how will he support her? Will he raise her bail money? Will he go to court to argue that she should have conjugal visits with Victor Aenlle?
I think someone should ask why he doesn’t work for the probation department anymore. Might be something there.
Is this just a Latino supporting another Latino? It’s not race, it’s the community, the county and the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office.
Jimenez is garbage. Corpus convinces those with secrets in their closets to support her. Corruption follows corruption.
The same guy that she had testify for measure a supporting her as if a civilian makes a difference in her job is sheriff when the claims against her our current employees not past employees not people that live on the coast not people that do karate at random businesses. Not quite sure why they even added this guy to the federal court case as a character witness either They might want to check the background on their character witnesses before they start doing stuff like that as others have said the dirt in this guy‘s background will come out. The publicity stunt are getting old people need to grow up, move on and be ethical for once I’m sick and tired of these games And horrible politicians that think they can sway the media with gaslighting scenarios that are based on more fault, opinions than anything. This guys is bad news- do the research people!