Contra Costa County is mourning the loss of Federal D. Glover, the first African American elected to the County Board of Supervisors who logged many civic achievements in nearly three decades of public service.
Glover passed away on Sunday, May 18, at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center, according to his family and County officials. He was 69.
Elected to the Pittsburg City Council in 1996 and later serving as the city’s mayor, Glover was credited with the creation of the city’s independent power company, construction of a new City Hall, and programs to support youth and public safety.
After becoming the first African American elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2000, he served six terms and chaired the board five times, including in 2024.
In 2015, Glover underwent a life-saving 16-hour heart and kidney transplant surgery. He credited his wife, Janis, as his greatest advocate and supporter during his recovery. In a blog post in 2020, he called the experience a rebirth that led him to renew his commitment “to serve with faithfulness and to live in hope.”
“For the gift of life, I am thankful,” he said.
Glover continued to serve throughout his recovery.
His county leadership included securing $1 billion for transportation projects like Highway 4 and eBART, consolidating fire districts, launching youth conferences, and spearheading public health, housing, and justice reforms. Glover also served for 18 years on the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, where he helped guide billions in transportation investments, including the Bay Area Toll Bridge Capital Improvement Program and equity-focused efforts such as Clipper START and Express Lane toll discounts for low-income drivers.
“He was more than a public official; he was a force for thoughtful leadership and quiet perseverance.”
“Federal was a remarkable leader whose public service legacy is felt across the region,” said MTC Chair and Pleasant Hill Mayor Sue Noack.
Supervisor John Gioia said he was honored to serve alongside Glover for 25 years.
“Our establishment of a County Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice would not have happened without Federal’s strong leadership,” Gioia said. “He overcame many obstacles to become one of our county’s longest serving Supervisors and his core mission was always to increase opportunities for our most disadvantaged residents. Those lives he touched will continue to benefit from his work long after his death.”
Glover was born and raised in Pittsburg and had 11 siblings. He was the first to attend college when he studied Business Administration at San Francisco State University, and later embarked on a 22-year career in local industry, including at POSCO Steel and Dow Chemical. His early career focused on training, logistics and safety.
In her statement, Janis Glover remembered her husband as “a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and public servant.”
“For over two decades, he served the people of Contra Costa County with distinction…he believed deeply in the power of community and worked tirelessly to uplift and unite the people he was honored to represent,” she said in a statement.
Supervisor Shanelle Scales-Preston, who succeeded Glover, called him a mentor and inspiration.
“He was more than a public official; he was a force for thoughtful leadership and quiet perseverance,” she said. “He worked not just to change policy, but to change lives.”
The Contra Costa Labor Council described Glover as an “historic leader and dedicated public servant” who fought for working families and equity.
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors issued a statement reflecting on his decades of service:
“Federal will be remembered not only for his contributions to public service, but also for his compassion and integrity. We honor Federal’s life and the positive impact he had on our community.”
Along with Janis, his wife of 47 years, Glover is survived by their two children, Tederal Glover and Carissa Dorton, and their grandchildren.
Memorial details have not yet been announced. A video tribute to Glover’s life and career produced by Contra Costa County upon his retirement in 2024 was recently released.
