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Gus Kramer, who was elected to eight consecutive terms as Contra Costa County Assessor over the past 32 years, has announced his intention to retire at the end of this year.
Kramer said in a statement Friday that he will leave office in December. The assessor is responsible for determining the fair market value of property for tax purposes.
“It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve the people of Contra Costa County,” he said. “I am deeply grateful to the voters who placed their trust in me.”
Three candidates have filed so far to become the county’s new elected assessor: Kismat Kathrani, Vince Robb and Nick Spinner. The filing deadline has been extended since incumbent Kramer is not seeking re-election. A candidate could win the seat outright in the primary election if they record more than 50% of the vote – otherwise the top two finishers in June will advance to a runoff in November.
Kramer was the subject of a 2019 civil grand jury accusation of “willful or corrupt misconduct” for creating a hostile and abusive work environment.
It cited reports of unwanted sexual remarks to female employees and racially disparaging another between 2013 and 2019.
Kramer responded to the allegations on his personal website saying he was the victim of “political persecution”. The case ultimately resulted in a mistrial.
Kramer grew up in Bay Point and graduated from the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science and the University of San Francisco, according to his biography on the county website.
He was elected Martinez City Clerk in 1986 and joined the Contra Costa County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office in 1974. He later served in the Probation Department and the Public Works Department.
