Oakland Races
Race to Watch
City Attorney
Why does this race matter?
After serving for over a decade as Oakland’s city attorney, Barbara Parker is stepping down this year, making way for someone new to represent the city in legal matters. The change comes at a challenging time for the city, amid rising concerns about crime and housing costs — and as Mayor Sheng Thao battles a recall effort and the embattled Oakland Police Department continues to operate under federal oversight.
What does a city attorney do?
The city attorney is a city’s top legal advisor. Staff in the city attorney’s office provide guidance to elected officials during public meetings, help draft ordinances and appear on behalf of the city in legal proceedings.
Candidates
Brenda Harbin-ForteRetired Judge
Ryan RichardsonChief Assistant City Attorney, Oakland
Key Supporters
This list represents notable organizations and individuals who have taken a position on the ballot measure or candidate, or who are funding campaigns in support or opposition. This list is not exhaustive, and may be updated.
For Harbin-Forte
- Elihu Harris, former mayor, Oakland
- Robert L. Jackson, senior pastor, Acts Full Gospel Church of God in Christ
- Joan S. Cartwright, retired judge
- Robert L. Harris, former attorney and vice president, PG&E
- Evelio Grillo, retired judge
For Richardson
- Barbara Parker, current city attorney, Oakland
- Sheng Thao, mayor, Oakland
- Iron Workers Union Local 378
- Building and Construction Trades Council of Alameda County
- David Chiu, city attorney, San Francisco
Positions on Key IssuesCandidate summaries are based on interviews with the candidates, questionnaires, statements made at debates and public events, and past news coverage.
Candidate summaries are based on interviews with the candidates, questionnaires, statements made at debates and public events, and past news coverage.
Almost half of Oakland’s renter households are rent burdened — meaning they are spending more than 30% of their annual income on rent. As city attorney, how would you make housing more affordable for renters?
Harbin-Forte did not respond to this question. On her website, she says she has a “unique perspective on how to fairly balance competing interests” based on her experience over the decades as an Oakland landlord, a tenant advocate on the city’s rent board, and a former judge presiding over landlord-tenant cases.
Richardson says that while the city attorney’s office cannot directly influence rental rates, it can promote the development of affordable housing by ensuring the City Council abides by Oakland’s established public lands policies, advising the city’s rent adjustment board, and helping to update its planning code. He says his office could prevent displacement by working to “help draft tenant-protection legislation,” and can further protect tenants by “filing lawsuits against abusive and predatory landlords.”
What role can the city attorney play in addressing ongoing crime concerns? What can someone in this position proactively do?
Harbin-Forte did not respond to this question. On her website, she says she aims to end federal oversight of the Oakland Police Department, noting that “we pay the federal monitor more than $1 million a year, and one of the plaintiff's attorneys more than $100,000 annually.” Harbin-Forte was formerly on the Oakland Police Commission before being removed by Thao in 2023 after her term expired.
Richardson says he “wholeheartedly believe[s] that a lack of diversity in policing — and the underrepresentation of women in particular — undermines public safety,” and hopes to diversify recruitment by removing “micro-barriers in the application and onboarding processes.” Oakland’s community police oversight agency, he adds, will need his office’s legal advice and support to ensure officers are meeting state requirements. He also says he has broad experience working with community leaders, police-oversight groups and violence-intervention specialists.
What’s your position on the effort to recall Mayor Sheng Thao? What impact is this having on Oakland politics?
Harbin-Forte has helped lead the effort to recall Thao, and says that thousands of concerned Oakland voters have signed the petition. She also notes that, like the recall campaign, the mayor also has funding from wealthy residents who have “supported ‘defund the police’ movements and other progressive policies in Oakland.”
Richardson says he wants to establish trust with every city leader he works with — and preserve the non-partisan nature of the office. It’s not “appropriate for a candidate for city attorney to oppose another local leader” like his opponent has, he says, calling that “simply inconsistent with the core duties of the office,” which include closely advising city officials. “The last thing voters want to worry about is chronic discord or infighting in City Hall.”
Race to Watch
What would the measure do?
If a simple majority (50% +1) votes Yes, Thao — who was elected to a four-year term in November 2022 — would be forced to step down after the election is certified. The City Council president would become interim mayor while a special election takes place within 120 days. The winner will serve out the remainder of Thao’s term. The election could also be extended an additional 90 days to consolidate with the next municipal or statewide election.
Yes Argument
Under Thao’s leadership, crime has driven businesses and residents out of the city. Within weeks of taking office, Thao fired former Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong, delaying the police department’s exit from over 20 years of federal oversight. Last year, her administration missed a deadline to apply for millions of dollars of state grant funding to combat retail theft. And the city is now dealing with a massive budget deficit and is about to lose the Oakland A’s. The FBI’s recent raid of Thao’s home is also very troubling.
No Argument
The $1.2 million recall election is undemocratic and a gross misuse of taxpayer money. Many of the challenges Oakland faces existed before Thao took office. In fact, recall supporters announced their effort in January, just one year into her administration, and well before she was able to have any real impact on the city. The recall is largely bankrolled by wealthy donors who don’t live in Oakland and is a disservice to voters who legitimately elected Thao in 2022.
Key Supporters
This list represents notable organizations and individuals who have taken a position on the ballot measure or candidate, or who are funding campaigns in support or opposition. This list is not exhaustive, and may be updated.
In Support
- Cynthia Adams, president of NAACP Oakland
- Ron Conway, tech investor
- Philip Dryfus, hedge fund executive
- Brenda Harbin-Forte, former Alameda County judge and Oakland Police commissioner, now running for Oakland city attorney
- Seneca Scott, founder, Neighbors Together Oakland
In Opposition
- Jean Quan, former mayor, Oakland
- Quinn Delaney, founder and board chair, Akonadi Foundation
- Alameda County Democratic Party
- Latino Task Force
- Brian K. Woodson, pastor, Bay Area Christian Connection (Oakland)
City Council, At-Large
What does a council member do?
City and town council members can propose new city ordinances and vote on a range of issues, including housing development, business ventures and contracts. They also help draft the city or town budget.
Candidate Statements
Candidate Statements are excerpted from the statements provided to election offices, where available.
LeRonne L. Armstrong
- Public Safety Advisor
- Experience: “For 24 years, I have dedicated my career to keeping Oakland safe through practical and common-sense leadership.”
- Budget: “I successfully managed Oakland’s largest department, the Oakland Police Department, and brought it $3 million under budget.”
- Priorities: “As a city council member, I will continue to champion community-focused solutions and foster partnerships that enhance public safety and improve quality of life.”
- www.armstrongforoakland.com
Shawn Danino
- Senior development officer
- Experience: “I am a dedicated public servant, a dues-paying union member, and housing expert with a proven track record of passing laws supporting working families.”
- Housing: “I worked at the State Housing Department and collaborated with Oakland city staff to approve an eight-year housing plan, while spearheading a $100 million fund to build affordable backyard homes.”
- Priorities: “Address climate change, the cost of child care, and propose a zero displacement housing program, a four-day work week, a neighborhood market plan, and a reliable transit system that make Oakland safe and welcoming.”
Mindy Ruth Pechenuk
- Educator/researcher
- Public Safety: “I believe that to make Oakland safe and productive again, I will make crime illegal again! … I will increase our police, call for the National Guard.”
- Experience: “I have 50 years of experience in political organizing. I am also a classical musician/educator and a master of the American System of economics.”
- Priorities: “I will create skilled jobs in industry, expand our Oakland Port, and support our local businesses. No more budget cuts to essential services. This is part of solving the homelessness.”
Nancy Sidebotham
- Tax preparer
- Collaboration: “As a small-business owner and community activist, I know the importance of working with neighborhood groups to build community.”
- Experience: “[Being] chairperson for 29X NC, and member of the CPAB and Neighborhood Watch Committees have given me an in-depth knowledge of city organizations, ordinances, policies, budgets and politics.”
- Priorities: “I won’t saddle you with bad garbage contracts, give away public land, or push out residents who have made Oakland great. I will work for all of us.”
Cristina “Tina” Tostado
- Retail supervisor
- Experience: “Appointed Oakland Library Commissioner, RPYP board, Oakland Education Fund Advisory board and mentor to Teen Leadership programs aimed to end senseless gun violence.”
- Priorities: “Investing in mental health services, economic business development and ensuring our tax dollars work for us … I pledge accountability, accessibility and dedication to problem-solving.”
- Collaboration: “Building safe and healthy communities takes collaboration.”
- www.TinaFronTheTown.com
Rowena Brown
- State legislator director
- Experience: “I offer years of experience as an Oakland constituent coordinator — where I engaged neighbors to fight drug hot spots, blight, and illegal dumping.”
- Priorities: “As your council member, I’ll make our neighborhoods cleaner and safer, support our small businesses, and employ our youth.”
- Gun Violence: “I stand for: ending gun violence through investment in accountable, neighborhood-empowered solutions.”
- www.RowenaforOakland.com
Kanitha Matoury
- Small-business owner
- Priorities: “I will push to expedite the building of affordable housing, implement effective community policing, and restore our once vibrant small business community.”
- Small Businesses: “I agree with Barack Obama who said small businesses ‘are the backbone of our economy and the cornerstones of our communities.’”
- Experience: “With 17 years experience serving the public and balancing budgets for my restaurant Spice Monkey, and nine years as a U.S. Air Force veteran, I bring accountability and teamwork skills where needed most.”
Fabian Robinson
- Pastor
- Public Safety: “My vision is a safe Oakland with ‘zero’ murders. No Oakland citizen should have to worry about being robbed, or have to deal with car break-ins.”
- Clean Streets: “In certain areas kids can’t walk home from school safely because of needles and drug paraphernalia on the sidewalk. This is not good. Pet owners should be able to walk their pet down the street safely.”
- Mental Health: “To help those with mental challenges I advocate for hiring more mental health professionals to help our city.”
Selika Thomas
- Hair loss restoration
- Public Safety: “I’ve been a victim of crime, and crime prevention is my top priority.”
- Priorities: “I’m for enforcing law and order, increasing police patrol, housing the unsheltered, investing in the youth, market rate paying jobs for residents with or without felonies, and clean and safe streets.”
- Experience: “I have struggles common to Oakland residents: home and car break-ins, attempted home invasions, abandoned cars, car chases, and homeless people living on my street. I became block captain to help solve issues in my neighborhood.”
Charlene Wang
- Civil rights advisor
- Public Safety: “My priority is reducing crime. … Oakland’s unacceptable 911 wait times are deadly. We need more police, hired locally, to be responsive and build community trust.”
- Priorities: “We need better blue collar jobs keeping people from crime. Let’s turn Oakland into a renewable energy and cultural powerhouse with clean manufacturing jobs and thriving businesses in cultural districts.”
- Experience: “As a Biden-Harris administration official, I launched billion-dollar programs reconnecting segregated communities bringing construction jobs to Oakland and second-chances for people leaving prison.”
- www.charleneforoakland.com
City Council, District 1
What does a council member do?
City and town council members can propose new city ordinances and vote on a range of issues, including housing development, business ventures and contracts. They also help draft the city or town budget.
Candidate Statements
Candidate Statements are excerpted from the statements provided to election offices, where available.
Edward C. Frank
- Homemaker/business owner
- Experience: “Husband of a primary care physician, stay-at-home dad of two sons, and a volunteer leader at our local public elementary school … I’m also a small-business owner.”
- Priorities: “We are at a crossroads — tasked with deciding whether to continue along the same well-worn path that has led us to the here and now, or to nimbly pivot in a new direction that encourages exploring and imagining alternative models of municipal governance.”
- Social Change: “Our beautifully diverse town has historically been a locus of social change.”
Zac Unger
- Firefighter
- Experience: “A firefighter, paramedic, and labor leader with the Oakland Fire Department since 1998 … I am a pragmatic public servant who knows firsthand how this city functions.”
- Measure Oversight: “I’ve served on the steering committees for voter-approved measures including Y and Z (public safety improvements), KK and U (infrastructure improvements), and T (reducing taxes for small businesses).”
- Priorities: “Increasing affordable housing production, fully funding public safety, restoring functional city services, and being responsive to District 1 residents.”
- www.zac4oakland.com
Len Raphael
- CPA
- Education: “I studied sociology at Columbia and later earned accounting/tax degrees from Alameda JC, Berkeley, and GGU.”
- Entrepreneurship: “After working at Price Waterhouse and Deloitte, I opened my accounting practice in Oakland, specializing in small- to medium-sized tech businesses.”
- Experience: “I have served as Temple Beth Abraham treasurer, Alameda Contra Costa Youth Soccer League treasurer, cofounded the SaferTemescal unarmed private patrol. … I was treasurer of the Coalition for Police Accountability.”
Race to Watch
City Council, District 3
Why does this race matter?
Councilmember Carroll Fife is running for reelection in this West Oakland district that stretches from the Bay to Lake Merritt, and from Mosswood Park to the Port of Oakland. She faces a packed field of opponents who think their plans to address homelessness and public safety will better serve residents.
What does a council member do?
City and town council members can propose new city ordinances and vote on a range of issues, including housing development, business ventures and contracts. They also help draft the city or town budget.
Candidates
Baba AfolabiEntrepreneur
Carroll FifeCity Council Member, Oakland
Michelle D. HaileyCommunity Housing Assistant
Shan M. Hirsch Home Caregiver
Warren Mitchell LoganCity Planner
Meron SemedarEducator
Key Supporters
This list represents notable organizations and individuals who have taken a position on the ballot measure or candidate, or who are funding campaigns in support or opposition. This list is not exhaustive, and may be updated.
For Afolabi
- Vernon Anderson, executive, Google
- Amen Ogunmekan, medical science liaison, Alkermes
- Diamond Kelley, registered nurse, UCSF
- Jason Matthews, firefighter, Signal Mountain Fire Department
- Kayde Omosheyin, human resources officers, California
For Fife
- IFPTE Local 21
- Alameda Labor Council
- APEN Action
- Mia Bonta, state Assembly member
- James Chanin, attorney
For Hailey
- N/A
For Hirsch
- Oscar Wright, local resident
- Patricia Wright, local resident
- Theodros Shawl, local resident
For Logan
- Elaine Brown, former Black Panther
- Corey Smith, president, Housing Action Coalition
- Nenna Joiner, local business owner
- Kevin Pelgone, local business owner
- Libby Schaaf, former mayor, Oakland
For Semedar
- Bee Healthy Honey Shop
- Oasis Food Market
- Berhane Embaye, housekeeper, Highland hospital
- Yonas Gebreselassie, attorney
- Henos Haile, contractor
Positions on Key IssuesCandidate summaries are based on interviews with the candidates, questionnaires, statements made at debates and public events, and past news coverage.
Candidate summaries are based on interviews with the candidates, questionnaires, statements made at debates and public events, and past news coverage.
Homeless encampments, like the one previously at Wood Street, have long been a part of District 3. The Supreme Court’s ruling earlier this year gives cities new power to force people off the streets, including allowing police to cite and arrest people experiencing homelessness. In light of that, how would you address encampments in the district?
Afolabi says, “I don't think just saying everybody should leave is the way to approach it.” He would instead push the city to build tiny homes in parking spots under the I-80 freeway in East Oakland and along 5th Street, and offer them to people experiencing homelessness, with the goal of helping them transition into longer-term housing. He would also start an incentives program to encourage small businesses to hire unhoused people.
Fife did not respond to our requests for an interview but on her campaign website she says housing in Oakland is still too expensive. She advocates for a full system overhaul to make housing a right. As a City Council member, she met regularly with community leaders at Wood Street and helped get the community trash bins. And she has advocated to build a shelter for unhoused people on a publicly owned part of the former Oakland Army base.
Hailey says she will comply with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s July executive order encouraging local governments to apply for state funding to “humanely remove encampments from public spaces.” She says the city should use outreach workers to reconnect people experiencing homelessness with family members or friends who might be able to provide support and stable housing. She also says the city shouldn’t arrest people who won’t accept services, but should make it clear that staying in encampments isn’t an option.
Hirsch says, “I wouldn’t arrest them, I would transition them.” She says she would have the city purchase a large building with four floors and require all people living on the street to move into the building. The first floor would serve people living with mental illness. The next three floors would house people at progressive stages of transition. “Once they get to level four, then they should be able to be ready to move to the society of the world,” says Hirsch.
Logan says, “Oakland in no way should be arresting or harassing people who are living outside and are unsheltered residents. [The ruling] doesn’t change that.” He would streamline permitting to increase affordable housing development, and stretch city dollars further by funding projects to refurbish affordable units that have fallen into disrepair. He would also push the city to create clear plans to address illegal dumping and criminal activity at encampments.
Semedar did not respond to our request for an interview, but on his campaign website he says, “As a City Council Member, I will work to devise a transitional housing plan with services that provide showers, toiletries, free transportation to health facilities and grocery stores.” Once those services are provided, he is in “full support” of using the powers granted to local governments by the recent Supreme Court ruling to force people out of encampments.
In the last year, former Mayor Libby Schaaf, current Mayor Sheng Thao and the campaign to recall Thao have all been accused of violating campaign finance rules. How do you think the city should ensure candidates and elected officials follow city and state ethics rules?
Afolabi says that, as a first-time candidate, he thinks the city should do more to educate candidates about ethics rules. He would push the city to provide a more robust public campaign financing program so that all candidates start on an equal footing. As part of this program, he would want the city to have candidates take a class on public ethics and pass an exam before they can qualify for the funding.
Fife touts being one of three City Council members to introduce the Oakland Fair Elections Act. Approved by voters in 2022, the act created the city’s Democracy Dollars campaign finance program. Starting in 2026, it will distribute a set amount of funding to every Oakland voter to support the candidates of their choice — so “that access to networks of wealthy contributors is not a prerequisite for candidates to run competitive campaigns for elected office.”
Hailey says more transparency in the election process would help prevent campaign finance rule violations. She would push the city to hold candidate forums and debates for each city race. “I think that the city has to do more to establish a really serious election process,” she says. She would also require that all candidates take a pledge to be honest, transparent and follow campaign finance and ethics rules.
Hirsch says she would propose a rule that would require candidates and elected officials to get two other city employees to sign a form every time they spend campaign or city money. “If all three of our names are on there, somebody's going to say, ‘oh, I'm not doing that because that's not right. Oh, I'm not getting in trouble because Shan wanted to go in here and take the money,’” explains Hirsch.
Logan says, “I believe that the city of Oakland should enforce its own rules when it comes to public ethics and make sure that we are as transparent as possible by empowering the city auditor.” He would work to change the city charter so that the Public Ethic Commission and city auditor are not dependent on the City Council for funding each year.
Semedar has no information on this topic on his campaign website.
Oakland is currently operating with a structural deficit, which means the city is regularly taking in less money than it spends. How do you think this should be addressed?
Afolabi says that in order to close the deficit, the City Council needs to include people with business backgrounds. “I love to see the great work that our nonprofit is doing or activists are doing, but every single member of the council cannot be that, we need a mix,” he says. He would prioritize the needs of small businesses and recruit big businesses that “fit our culture in Oakland” to relocate here.
Fife says she voted in favor of the mayor’s budget this year which fills budget holes by selling the city’s share of the Oakland Coliseum. She also supports the mayor’s effort to generate income for the city using initiatives designed to bring film productions to Oakland. Fife notes she also introduced Measure T, approved by voters in 2022, which taxes small businesses at a lower rate than larger businesses.
Hailey says she would ask for a “citywide forensic audit” of how the city spent its money over the last decade. She would then push for all city employees to fill out a survey detailing which city services they think can be eliminated or merged to save money. “Since things are so broken right now, I think that there is a huge opportunity to rebuild and rebuild stronger,” she says.
Hirsch says she would immediately ask the city to stop spending more money than it has. To reduce the city’s spending Hirsch says she would cut support services for people experiencing homelessness and the city’s community outreach positions.
Logan says he would address the deficit by pushing the city to build more housing. “It's sort of a win-win. People need places to live. Our property tax revenue goes up when we build more housing,” he says. He would also work to improve public safety downtown and bring more businesses of all sizes to Oakland.
Semedar says on his campaign website that he will work to “under-budget” and “not over-budget” to help the city save money. “I will also work with city administrators to pay close attention to ‘real state tax’ in our city — as this budget fluctuates each year and we should not rely on it heavily.”
What are your proposals for improving public safety in District 3?
Afolabi says he would create a rule requiring the mayor and the police department to get along. “When you have the mayor and the police chief going at each other, we suffer,” he says. To increase safety downtown, he would advocate for creating a civilian patrol to engage and deter people from fighting or “bipping” (breaking into) cars. And he would create an inter-district summer sports competition to engage young people.
Fife says she has advocated for expanding the city’s non-police emergency response service and introduced grants to support ambassador programs that hire people to clean and increase safety along commercial corridors. She also says she supports the city’s Department of Violence Prevention programs that seek to intervene in conflicts to prevent violent outcomes.
Hailey says it’s essential for Oakland’s police department to get out from under federal oversight. “In order to attract, retain, and recruit good police officers, you’ve got to lift the cloud of the oversight situation,” she says. Hailey would encourage the city attorney to more aggressively push to end federal oversight of the department and would request that the federal monitor present his work to the City Council.
Hirsch says the city needs to do more to occupy young people. She will work to reopen the Campbell Village Teen Center in the Lower Bottoms neighborhood of West Oakland where she used to work before the city closed the center. She would also push to create more jobs for young people, particularly those working overnight shifts. “By the time they get off, it's 7 o'clock in the morning. They're not looking for any crime. They're looking to eat, smoke a blunt, drink a beer, go to sleep, spend time with their kids or their girlfriend or wife, and then they're going to sleep.”
Logan says he would prevent crime by activating streets and vacant storefronts. Bringing more people on to the street makes crime less likely, he says. He would also invest in after-school and summer programs for young people and partner with unions to expand job-training programs. He would continue to deepen the city’s investments in its Ceasefire program and work closely with his district’s neighborhood crime-prevention councils to ensure residents' concerns are being prioritized by local police.
Semedar says Oakland needs to fill police officer vacancies and hire more “local and diverse police officers.” He says this will improve the relationship between police and the District 3 community. He advocates for more officer foot patrols and says he will push the city to provide grant funding to community organizations to host events in local parks. “More community events in our parks will bring more safety,” he says.
District 3 includes downtown Oakland, which has struggled with vacancies since the pandemic. What would you do to revitalize downtown?
Afolabi says he is a “downtown aficionado” and notes he has owned and worked for a series of small businesses since he got permission to work in the U.S. after migrating from Nigeria. He would give tax breaks to landlords who offer new downtown commercial tenants a few months rent free. He also would encourage the city to support more community events downtown, like First Fridays — and notes he helped start a precursor pop-up series called In the Black.
Fife says she supports a plan that would allow the city to borrow against future tax income in order to finance large-scale projects that might be attractive to private developers, like building libraries and child care facilities, and remediating toxic waste. She also supports so-called “Enhanced Infrastructure Financing Districts” as a way to provide new and enhanced services to District 3.
Hailey says she wants Oakland to reemerge as an epicenter of Black culture. She wants to resurrect the annual Oscar Micheaux Black Filmmaker Awards, an annual ceremony that was held from 1974–1993 at Oakland’s Paramount Theater. She says an event like that would fill the city’s hotels and downtown restaurants. A former songwriter for the group Tony Toni Toné, she says she would use her connections in the music world to generate more money for the arts in Oakland.
Hirsch says she wants to give one-time grants to support struggling downtown businesses or to help those who want to get new business started. “A lot of people don't have money, but they got a plan, they got a dream. I would give them the opportunity,” she says.
Logan says he would streamline business permitting to encourage quick and creative growth downtown. He wants to encourage downtown businesses that are closed for part of the day to partner with other businesses that could operate in the same space at different hours, a model that would reduce rent for both businesses. He says he is also excited about Mayor Thao’s desire to bring more film production to Oakland, and would work to make it easier to get filming permits for vacant properties.
Semedar advocates for increasing police presence in commercial corridors and emphasizes the need for a “fast response for any stealing and vandalism.” He says he will prioritize expediting business license permits and push the city to offer grants to “organizations that provide business training.” He also says he will advocate to remove the new traffic islands protecting the bike lane along Telegraph Avenue to make space for more parking.
City Council, District 5
What does a council member do?
City and town council members can propose new city ordinances and vote on a range of issues, including housing development, business ventures and contracts. They also help draft the city or town budget.
Candidate Statements
Candidate Statements are excerpted from the statements provided to election offices, where available.
Erin Armstrong
- Senior policy advisor
- Experience: “Decades of experience promoting clean streets and safe neighborhoods as advisor to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, chair of the Bart Police Citizen Review Board (BPCRB), and a nonprofit leader.”
- Public Safety: “I champion public safety, leading the BPCRB and Ad Hoc Committee on Urban Areas Security Initiative, overseeing the BART Police Department, advancing responsible policing, addressing misconduct, and promoting emergency preparedness.”
- Housing: “I developed Measure W to prevent homelessness, guided the Alameda County Affordable Housing Plan, including over $2 billion to produce and preserve affordable housing.”
Dominic Prado
- Restaurant owner
- Experience: “I’m a restaurant owner in the Fruitvale District that has been affected by crime and decreased sales.”
- Public Safety: “I have advocated for clean and safer neighborhoods and traffic safety in District 5.”
- Priorities: “I believe in accountability and responsible government and ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard.”
Noel Gallo
- Oakland City Council Member, District 5
- Experience: “I am a lifelong advocate for children and families with decades of proven experience, commitment, and service to Oakland residents on the school board and city council.”
- Public Safety: “Accountable policing, fire and ambassador safety services. Increasing neighborhood, vehicular and pedestrian safety.”
- Economic Growth: “Retaining, attracting and investing in businesses that promote job creation and training.”
- www.NoelGalloForOakland.com
City Council, District 7
What does a council member do?
City and town council members can propose new city ordinances and vote on a range of issues, including housing development, business ventures and contracts. They also help draft the city or town budget.
Candidate Statements
Candidate Statements are excerpted from the statements provided to election offices, where available.
Merika Goolsby
- Small-business owner
- Experience: “Throughout my career, I worked as a counselor and MFT, supporting teen mothers, formerly incarcerated adults, and troubled youth.”
- Animals: “As a passionate vegan animal lover, I have volunteered at animal shelters to advocate for their welfare, for the past twelve years, I owned a small pet-care business.”
- Environment: “I also garden and have contributed my time to environmental justice organizations, reflecting my commitment to the planet.”
Ken Houston
- Executive director
- Experience: “I have served for 10 years as executive director of the Beautification Council, providing training and jobs to the justice-involved and unsheltered, while addressing the most pernicious blight in our community.”
- Collaboration: “I will ensure that the residents and businesses become our highest priority by working collaboratively.”
- Priorities: “This is a critical time for us to create a pathway for economic equality, and to propel our people out of poverty, crime, homelessness, and exposure to blight.”
Marcie Hodge
- Nonprofit executive director
- Priorities: “Together we need proactive leadership in the district to combat escalating crime, pervasive blight, lack of police response, and alarming business closures.”
- Growth: “I want to be your unwavering advocate for neighborhood revitalization.”
- Experience: “With a doctorate in organizational development and experience as a teacher, youth counselor, advocate for vulnerable teens, and business owner, I’ve witnessed the toll that crime, blight, and homelessness have taken on our city.”
Iris Merriouns
- Chief of staff
- Experience: “Serving as chief of staff for Oakland City Council members for over 25 years, I have driven real change for our neighborhoods.”
- Accomplishments: “The creation of thousands of good-paying jobs, and transformative policy changes to reduce crime, revitalize blighted neighborhoods, support first-time homebuyers, and build impactful programs for youth and seniors.”
- Priorities: “It is more urgent now than ever to invest in public safety, safeguard affordable housing, create economic opportunities, and build community engagement.”
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