Hayward City Council Member Mark Salinas has been endorsed for mayor, and planning commissioners Julie Roche and Dan Goldstein will be backed for city council seats as the result of deliberations by Good Government Now, the political action committee of the Hayward Chamber of Commerce.

The election will be held in November, but members of the committee of chamber business leaders said it was important to register its support now for individuals who understand that a community's growth comes from its economic development and an improved engagement between city hall and business.

The group began interviewing candidates last fall to be able to go in-depth in understanding their knowledge of the community at-large as well as the businesses that provide the principal tax base for development of elements such as schools and infrastructure, according to Jorge Espinosa, local restaurateur and chair of Good Government Now.

"Our support was considered carefully and with an understanding that these candidates will include the business community in decisions that affect economic growth," Espinosa said.

The group spent time with each of the candidates to be assured of their commitment to engage with the business community beyond what has been expected in the past, and that they would encourage city staff to follow that lead.

Good Government Now has endorsed incumbent Mariellen Faria for another term on the Eden Health District. A registered nurse with more than 30 years of healthcare experience and a lifelong Hayward resident, she was instrumental in establishing the Silva Pediatric Clinic and the Chabot College Student Clinic.

She served on the Hayward Planning Commission, as a city human services commissioner, chaired the board of directors of the Hayward Chamber of Commerce, and was on the board of the Hayward Area Historical Society. Eden Health District has been at the forefront of efforts to address COVID-19 issues for the past two years, backing educational efforts, testing, and vaccinations.

Good Government Now is the political action committee of the Hayward Chamber of Commerce and is comprised of business and community leaders, organized under Fair Political Practices Commission designation #972023. It held an initial fundraiser to announce its endorsements on May 12 and will continue to promote its endorsed candidates throughout the 2022 campaign.

The organization may address additional candidates and issues in upcoming months. To contribute, donations can be made to "Good Government Now" and sent to the Hayward Chamber of Commerce, 22561 Main St., Hayward, 94541.