Andersen Appointed To Fill Supervisor's Seat

Governor Jerry Brown today appointed Danville Mayor Candace Andersen to fill the remaining few months of the term of the late Contra Costa Supervisor Gayle Uilkema.

Andersen was sworn in this morning during the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors meeting.

The new supervisor spent the rest of the day on the board in open and closed session. The meetings didn't end until 5:30 p.m.

Andersen said it was a full day and an interesting one, although her time on the Danville council helped her settle in.

"It was much like being on the council, except there are much bigger numbers," she said. "It was a great first day. I look forward to working with my fellow supervisors."

Anderson, 51, was as the county's District 2 supervisor. She starts that term in January.

, however, leaving the rest of her term unfilled.

There was some question about whether Andersen could be appointed for the remainder of the term since she does not live in the district that Uilkema was re-elected to in 2008.

Andersen does live in the reapportioned district that she campaigned in.

The County Counsel's office determined her residency in the new district was sufficient for her to be appointed.

Andersen, a Republican, has been on the Danville Town Council since 2003. She was informed of the governor's decision Monday night.

"It was very nice to hear and I appreciate the swiftness with which the governor dealt with this," Andersen said.

Andersen has stepped down from her mayor's post. At its next meeting, the council will appoint a new mayor and perhaps vice mayor to fill out the remainder of the terms through December.