Luis Reynoso is running for the East Bay Municipal Utility District Board of Directors’ Ward 7 seat in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.
He faces incumbent April Chan, Gary Wolff and Joseph Grcar in the nonpartisan race, according to EBMUD’s official candidate announcement.
Ward 7 includes Castro Valley, Cherryland, Fairview and portions of Hayward, San Leandro, San Lorenzo and San Ramon, along with Norris Canyon, according to the district’s ward descriptions.
Reynoso responded to the Walnut Creek Record candidate questionnaire on Oct. 5. Unless otherwise noted, the information and responses below come from that questionnaire.
Asked why he is running, Reynoso emphasized water quality, reliable service, affordability and financial oversight.
“I am seeking office to ensure EBMUD delivers safe water, reliable service, and reasonable rates while remaining accountable to the people who pay the bills,” he said. “Families, seniors, and small businesses deserve rigorous scrutiny of spending, not automatic acceptance of higher costs.”
He said his experience in auditing, education and public service informs his approach.
“I will bring independent judgment to the board, listen to residents, and insist that decisions balance public health, environmental responsibility, and affordability,” he said.
Candidate information
Party affiliation: Republican. The EBMUD race is nonpartisan.
“My approach to EBMUD is to serve every ratepayer, regardless of political affiliation, and focus on safe water, reliable service, affordability, and accountable management,” Reynoso said.
Education: Reynoso reported a doctorate in education in organizational leadership from the University of San Francisco, a master’s degree in educational leadership and administration, and a bachelor’s degree in computer science from California State University, East Bay.
He also reported earning California teaching and administrative credentials and attending Chabot College.
Occupation: Reynoso described himself as an educator and financial, corporate real estate and contract auditor. He said his work involves reviewing financial obligations, examining contracts and assessing how resources are used.
“I have also taught at the graduate university level in MBA programs,” he said.
He described teaching subjects including business, ethics, leadership, economic literacy and derivatives valuation.
Family: Reynoso said he prefers to keep his family’s personal details private.
Family in politics or government: No family member works in politics or government.
Experience and public service
Reynoso was first elected to the Hayward Unified School District board in 2008 and reelected in 2012, 2016 and 2020. He was also elected in 2020 to represent Area 1, Hayward, on the Chabot–Las Positas Community College District board, according to an archived district biography.
He cited those five election victories as evidence of his experience representing residents and overseeing public institutions.
“That experience has given me firsthand knowledge of public governance, institutional oversight, and accountability to voters,” he said.
Reynoso also pointed to his doctorate, university teaching and auditing career as preparation for evaluating complex proposals and explaining their consequences.
On the issues
Rates and affordability: Reynoso said he wants spending decisions to receive close scrutiny before costs are passed to ratepayers. He supports necessary investments but wants major expenditures justified, contracts handled transparently and results measured.
“My approach is neither to approve every expenditure nor to oppose every investment,” he said. “It is to demand evidence, compare alternatives, and support decisions that protect reliable service while keeping costs reasonable.”
Infrastructure and water security: Reynoso identified modern infrastructure and long-term water security as priorities. His campaign website supports investment in pipelines, treatment facilities and system resilience to address leaks, outages, drought and climate-related challenges.
Transparency and accountability: Reynoso said his auditing background would guide his review of budgets, contracts and infrastructure proposals.
“I approach proposals by examining the numbers, questioning assumptions, and asking who benefits and who pays,” he said. “I am willing to challenge a proposal when its costs, justification, or public benefits are unclear.”
His campaign also calls for clear public information about rates, construction and project schedules.
What sets him apart: Reynoso cited his combination of financial and contract-audit experience, university teaching and elected service on education boards.
“I would apply those skills to EBMUD's budgets, contracts, infrastructure proposals, and long-term planning, while keeping the needs of ratepayers at the center of my decisions,” he said.
Advice that guides him
“Do your homework, ask the difficult questions, and remember whom you serve,” Reynoso said.
He said that advice reflects his emphasis on preparation, independent judgment and accountability to the people who depend on public services.
This profile draws primarily on Luis Reynoso’s responses to the Walnut Creek Record candidate questionnaire, with additional information from official district records and his campaign website. Responses have been excerpted and paraphrased; direct quotations retain his wording.
