Empower Oakland Voter Guide
Your best source for carefully-researched, fair and honest information for the November 5, 2024 General Election in Oakland.
OUR 2024 ENDORSEMENTS
District 5 County Supervisor
John Bauters
Oakland City Attorney
Brenda Harbin-Forte
Oakland City Council At-Large
LeRonne Armstrong
Oakland City Council District 1
Zac Unger
Oakland City Council District 3
Warren Logan
Oakland City Council, District 5
Noel Gallo
Oakland City Council District 7
Iris Merriouns & Ken Houston
Oakland School Board District 1
Benjamin Salop
Oakland School Board District 3
Dwayne Aikens
Oakland School Board District 5
Patrice Berry
Oakland School Board District 7
Clifford Thompson
BART Board District 7
Victor Flores
EBMUD Board Ward 5
Alex Spehr
EBMUD Board Ward 6
Valerie Lewis
East Bay Regional Parks Board Ward 2
Casey Farmer
East Bay Regional Parks Board Ward 4
Luana Espana
Peralta College Trustee Area 2
No endorsement
OUR 2024 ENDORSEMENTS
District 5 County Supervisor
John Bauters
Oakland City Attorney
Brenda Harbin-Forte
Oakland City Council At-Large
LeRonne Armstrong
Oakland City Council District 1
Zac Unger
Oakland City Council District 3
Warren Logan
Oakland City Council, District 5
Noel Gallo
Oakland City Council District 7
Iris Merriouns & Ken Houston
Oakland School Board District 1
Benjamin Salop
Oakland School Board District 3
Dwayne Aikens
Oakland School Board District 5
Patrice Berry
Oakland School Board District 7
Clifford Thompson
BART Board District 7
Victor Flores
EBMUD Board Ward 5
Alex Spehr
EBMUD Board Ward 6
Valerie Lewis
East Bay Regional Parks Board Ward 2
Casey Farmer
East Bay Regional Parks Board Ward 4
Luana Espana
Peralta College Trustee Area 2
No endorsement
Explaining Our Endorsements
While making our endorsements and creating this voter guide, we strived for thoroughness and inclusivity; you can learn more about our process. Ballot measure endorsements are coming soon. Note that candidates are listed in the tables below in the same order as they appear on the ballot.
Alameda County Board of Supervisors District 5
Vote for John Bauters
John Bauters is the standout candidate for the Supervisor District 5 position. He is a pragmatic leader who has served on the Emeryville city council since 2016, including three years as Mayor. He has dedicated his career to lifting families out of poverty, both as an eviction defense attorney as well as a policy and public finance expert. His work has focused on critical areas including homelessness, victims’ services, and community-based mental health services.
His strong progressive values and pragmatic approach to governing led Emeryville to reduce homelessness by 59% in 2 years, attract new businesses, and secure the distinction as the Bay Area’s “fastest growing city.” In contrast, John Bauters’ opponent Nikki Fortunato Bas, who has presided on Oakland city council for 6 years and as Council President for the last 3, has failed to act. During her tenure, homelessness in Oakland increased by 9%, local businesses and companies have fled the city, and Oakland residents have faced a 1-in-12 chance of being victims of either a violent crime or property crime.
Oakland City Attorney
Vote for Brenda Harbin-Forte
Brenda Harbin-Forte’s 45 years as an attorney, including 27 years as a judge as well as a partner in a private law firm, demonstrate her strong capability to lead the Oakland City Attorney’s office.
Since the City Attorney position became an elected role in 1998, this is the first time an incumbent is not running. This November, Oaklanders have a choice between two qualified candidates: one, Ryan Richardson, Chief Assistant to the current City Attorney, Barbara Parker, and the other, Harbin-Forte, a city hall outsider with a fresh perspective. The current City Attorney’s office has been a party to decisions and actions that have enabled the city’s fiscal crisis and weakened our public safety response.
While we believe Ryan Richardson will strike a different tone from Barbara Parker, we felt Brenda Harbin-Forte would bring the transformative leadership and reform that is desperately needed within the City Attorney’s office.
Oakland City Council At-Large
Vote for LeRonne Armstrong
LeRonne Armstrong stands out among the 10 candidates for the At-Large Council seat as the most experienced and the most deeply connected to Oakland. A lifelong Oakland resident, LeRonne has dedicated his career to keeping Oakland safe through his 30+ years as a police officer, culminating in his promotion to Chief of Police in 2020.
His leadership at the Oakland Police Department ushered a new era of trust-building and partnership. He also brought the department into compliance with all but one Negotiated Settlement Agreement (NSA) requirement.
As Councilmember At-Large, LeRonne Armstrong will govern with experience and expertise navigating Oakland’s public safety crisis. He is uniquely qualified to hit the ground running on day one and will be a key contributor to many aspects of city governance such as the city’s budget process, policy development, and city operations.
| Candidate | Profession | Questionnaire | Interview | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selika Thomas | Hair Loss Restoration | Did not return questionnaire | Not interviewed | |
| Cristina "Tina" Tostado | Retail Supervisor | Read it | No response to interview invitation | |
| Shawn Danino | Senior Development Officer | Read it | Watch it | |
| Kanitha Matoury | Small Business Owner | Read it | Watch it | |
|
LeRonne L. Armstrong | Public Safety Advisor | Read it | Watch it |
| Fabian Robinson | Pastor | Did not return questionnaire | Not interviewed | |
| Mindy Ruth Pechenuk | Educator/Researcher | Did not return questionnaire | Not interviewed | |
| Rowena Brown | State Legislative Director | Read it | Watch it | |
| Charlene Wang | Civil Rights Advisor | Read it | Watch it | |
| Nancy Sidebotham | Tax Preparer | Read it | Not interviewed |
Oakland City Council District 1
Vote for Zac Unger
Zac Unger is a lifelong Oaklander and retired firefighter of 27 years, with a strong understanding of the city’s challenges, especially public safety. His experience as a labor leader demonstrates his ability to handle negotiations, essential for addressing Oakland’s issues. While our committee has reservations about Unger’s ability to transition from a single-issue labor leader to a council member representing broader perspectives on a range of issues, we felt he is committed to broadening his focus to effectively represent D1 residents.
Zac has pledged to increase sworn police officers, build transitional housing, streamline building planning processes, create business-friendly policies, and strictly focus the city’s budget on public safety, housing, and infrastructure. One key challenge he will face – of significant note to our committee – is that to prioritize what’s best for Oaklanders, Zac will have to be willing to vote against the interests of his top endorsers and funders.
Oakland City Council District 3
Vote for Warren Logan
Warren Logan understands how the city works, and he recognizes the urgency of Oakland’s current crisis. With a master’s degree in city and regional planning, as well as a strong track record of working across departments at city hall. Warren would be an effective advocate and much-needed source of policy expertise on the council. Warren’s collaborative approach to solving Oakland’s biggest problems by unifying community stakeholders would be a stark contrast to the polarizing and divisive approach of the incumbent District 3 councilmember Carroll Fife.
Some of Fife’s comments during city council meetings have been perceived as contributing to division rather than promoting inclusivity and solidarity among Oakland’s diverse communities. Additionally, Fife’s handling of city contracts has sparked controversy, in particular a $150,000 contract awarded to a friend without a competitive bidding process. At a time when Oakland faces daunting challenges, we need leaders who will unify us and work together to find solutions.
During Covid, Warren led an interdisciplinary team as the city’s Emergency Community Resilience Director. Covid may be behind us, but we believe he can continue to cut through red tape and build the political alliances necessary to solve our city’s most urgent problems.
| Candidate | Profession | Questionnaire | Interview | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carroll Fife | District 3 Councilmember | Did not return questionnaire | No response to interview invitation | |
|
Warren Mitchell Logan | City Planner | Read it | Watch it |
| Shan M. Hirsch | Home Care Giver | Did not return questionnaire | Not interviewed | |
| Michelle D. Hailey | Community Housing Assistant | Read it | Watch it | |
| Baba Afolabi | Entrepreneur | Read it | Not interviewed | |
| Meron Semedar | Executive Director/Educator | Read it | Not interviewed |
Oakland City Council District 5
Vote for Noel Gallo
Noel Gallo is the most experienced member of the city council, and if re-elected, will be the most senior-ranking member of city council in 2025. Noel has represented District 5 since 2013, and prior to that he served as OUSD School Board Representative beginning in 1992. He’s only the second person to successfully move from a school board position to city council. He is a UC Berkeley graduate, and lives in the Fruitvale District where he was raised. As councilmember, Noel worked to create a Public Safety Oversight Commission and is currently chair of the city’s Public Safety Committee.
While Noel Gallo’s most competitive challenger – Erin Armstrong – could bring energy, desirable skills, and relevant experience, the committee ultimately decided that Armstrong’s limited connections and relationships within District 5 would not give D5 constituents adequate representation at city hall. We believe that councilmember Noel Gallo still brings the best combination of characteristics needed to support D5 residents.
Oakland City Council District 7
Vote for Iris Merriouns & Ken Houston
Councilmember Treva Reid’s last-minute decision not to run for re-election left District 7 with a field of candidates who were not fully prepared to run for office, despite their history in the district and passion for Oakland. Among the four candidates, two stand out for different reasons. Empower Oakland recommends voting for Iris Merrions or Ken Houston in any order as #1 and #2 on your ranked choice ballot.
Iris Merriouns is currently D4 councilmember Janani Ramachandran’s Chief of Staff. Iris also previously worked for Treva Reid’s father, former D7 councilmember Larry Reid. Iris has served as Vice President of the IFPTE Local 21, where she advocated for fair wages and working conditions for city workers. Additionally, she served as the President of the Board of Directors of Youth Uprising, where she mentored youth and young adults. Iris’ wealth of experience and understanding of the city’s policies and procedures will be invaluable during this fiscal crisis.
Ken Houston is a third-generation Oaklander and the founder and director of the Oakland Beautification Council, a community organization that operates four programs and works with unhoused and formerly incarcerated people in Oakland. The self-proclaimed “Son of Oakland” has been a leader in efforts to address the health and safety concerns of illegal dumping. Ken also has a background in construction management, and helped create Oakland’s Local Business Utilization program, expanding opportunities for Oakland-based contractors. Ken’s proven history of engagement with city, county and state agencies to develop policies addressing poverty, crime and homelessness in Oakland would bring much needed leadership and action to the council.
Councilmember Treva Reid’s last-minute decision not to run for re-election left District 7 with a field of candidates who were not fully prepared to run for office, despite their history in the district and passion for Oakland. Among the four candidates, two stand out for different reasons. Empower Oakland recommends voting for Iris Merrions or Ken Houston in any order as #1 and #2 on your ranked choice ballot.
Iris Merriouns is currently D4 councilmember Janani Ramachandran’s Chief of Staff. Iris also previously worked for Treva Reid’s father, former D7 councilmember Larry Reid. Iris has served as Vice President of the IFPTE Local 21, where she advocated for fair wages and working conditions for city workers. Additionally, she served as the President of the Board of Directors of Youth Uprising, where she mentored youth and young adults. Iris’ wealth of experience and understanding of the city’s policies and procedures will be invaluable during this fiscal crisis.
Ken Houston is a third-generation Oaklander and the founder and director of the Oakland Beautification Council, a community organization that operates four programs and works with unhoused and formerly incarcerated people in Oakland. The self-proclaimed “Son of Oakland” has been a leader in efforts to address the health and safety concerns of illegal dumping. Ken also has a background in construction management, and helped create Oakland’s Local Business Utilization program, expanding opportunities for Oakland-based contractors. Ken’s proven history of engagement with city, county and state agencies to develop policies addressing poverty, crime and homelessness in Oakland would bring much needed leadership and action to the council.
Oakland Unified Board of Education District 1
Vote for Benjamin Salop
Benjamin Salop has extensive legislative experience, an intimate understanding of OUSD, and the clearest vision for how to address the OUSD budget crisis. Impressive, especially considering he is only a junior in college at UC Berkeley.
Ben is a product of OUSD schools and has served in a variety of volunteer positions, including Student Body President at Oakland Tech, Tech’s School Site Council, co-chair of the Oakland Youth Commission, and an active participant in the OUSD’s Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) committee. Ben’s recent OUSD student experience provides a fresh and relevant perspective on the importance of strong student and family representation.
While Ben’s competitor for the seat had many positive attributes, the committee ultimately decided that Ben’s breadth of experience as a recent student leader in OUSD and his community-informed, independent decision-making would best serve OUSD students and families.
Oakland Unified Board of Education District 3
Vote for Dwayne Aikens Jr.
Dwayne Aikens, co-founder of the nonprofit, We Lead Ours, has extensive experience in education and youth development. By providing Oakland’s youth with free summer camps and career workshops, Dwayne understands the priorities of OUSD students: reducing chronic absenteeism, enhancing academic achievement, and preparing students for future success.
Dwayne received our endorsement for his collaborative approach to fostering community partnerships, a stark contrast to the incumbent District 3 School Board member VanCedric Williams. We are alarmed by VanCedric’s tenure on the school board, which has been marked by his disruptive behavior, altercations, and outbursts during council and committee meetings, hindering progress and constructive dialogue. Dwayne’s emphasis on cooperation and positive change positions him as the more effective candidate for driving improvements in the district’s educational landscape.
Oakland Unified Board of Education District 5
Vote for Patrice Berry
Patrice Berry will bring a combination of knowledge, skills and experiences that are sorely needed on OUSD’s school board as the District 5 director. Her journey in K-12 education began in Philadelphia classrooms and evolved through her leadership roles in education nonprofits serving students and teachers. Also, as a board member for several nonprofits, Patrice has demonstrated the professionalism often missing from OUSD board meetings, promising to be a grounding force to keep the board focused on their most important priority: the academic and holistic success of OUSD students.
Particularly exciting about Patrice’s candidacy is her innovative approach to rethinking the structural systems that fail our kids. While serving as an advisor to Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, Patrice co-foundedAssistHub, a tech start-up focused on easing the process of obtaining public benefits and other economic relief. We look forward to Patrice unleashing her innovative and “get it done” leadership for the benefit of all OUSD students, families, and employees.
Oakland Unified Board of Education District 7
Vote for Clifford Thompson
Dr. Clifford Thompson has served on the school board for the last four years, with a consistent focus on academic outcomes. He has decades of experience as an educator and administrator, experience and knowledge he can continue to bring to our board to better serve the children in District 7 and across Oakland. Dr. Thompson has also established strong relationships with families, school leaders, and community leaders in D7, giving them a much needed voice on the board.
Most recently, Dr. Thompson was a co-sponsor of “Resolution to Advance Black and Brown Achievement” which passed the board 4-3 in March. This resolution focuses on increasing the current A-G proficiency rate, including doubling OUSD’s math and ELA proficiency rate for Black and Brown students. Our committee was impressed with Dr. Thompson’s continued focus on student achievement and all OUSD students having access to a high-quality education.
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Board of Directors, District 7
Vote for Victor Flores
Victor Flores would bring fresh perspectives to the BART board at a critical juncture, as the agency faces a steep fiscal challenge that demands strong, decisive leadership. BART is the backbone of the Bay Area, but it hasn’t been living up to its promise. Since the pandemic, ridership has plummeted with riders citing crime, safety, and cleanliness, in addition to remote work, as reasons for riders not returning to the system.
Our committee believes Victor Flores is the right candidate to see BART through this crisis. Victor’s expertise in policy, transportation, and land use, coupled with his multi-step plan to address BART’s core challenges, set him apart. His ability to foster collaboration and work across differences in opinions is what the board needs to be successful. This was not an easy decision. Dana Lang has extensive experience securing funding for transportation and advancing transit security and safety. While these are valuable skill sets, the committee is confident that Victor’s expertise and strategic approach is what BART needs at this critical time.
East Bay Municipal Utility District Board of Directors Ward 5
Vote for Alex Spehr
In an election full of contentious recalls, polarized factions, and entrenched special interests, the EBMUD board of directors election doesn’t often make headlines. However, despite its low profile, EBMUD’s board holds significant power over our water supply and wastewater management. We believe residents should pay close attention to this race.
Of the three candidates running for this office, only Alex Spehr responded to our inquiries to participate in our endorsement process. After reviewing publicly available information posted by the other candidates, we are comfortable endorsing Spehr for this office. Alex, a parent and engineer, is the only candidate in the race who is advocating for rate reductions and improving pricing schedules so that the burden does not fall on low-income families but falls mostly on heavier users. We hope she brings new energy to a board that far too often has been filled by candidates running unopposed.
| Candidate | Profession | Questionnaire | Interview | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John E. Lewis | Construction Manager | Did not return questionnaire | No Interview | |
| Jim Oddie | Technology Executive | Did not return questionnaire | No Interview | |
|
|
Alex Spehr | Parent/Tech Support | Read it | No interview |
East Bay Municipal Utility District Board of Directors Ward 6
Vote for Valerie Lewis
Valerie Lewis is an accomplished lawyer with experience practicing in state and federal courts before becoming in-house counsel for Safeway where she guided the company through a range of complex issues. This experience sets Valerie apart from the only other candidate in this race. Valerie has connections to the Oakland community, having served on the board of trustees for the Alameda Health System and the Oakland African-American Chamber of Commerce. She is also engaged with a variety of other Oakland-based nonprofit organizations, further demonstrating her commitment and connection to Oakland.
While we were disappointed that neither Valerie nor her competitor submitted our questionnaire prior to committee deliberations, our committee is comfortable endorsing Valerie after evaluating both candidates’ background and experience.
| Candidate | Profession | Questionnaire | Interview | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Valerie Lewis | Attorney | Read it | No Interview |
| Richard De Vera | Entrepreneur | Did not return questionnaire | No Interview |
East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors Ward 2
Vote for Casey Farmer
Casey Farmer brings a unique skillset to this East Bay Regional Parks seat. Casey has an extensive track record of working to improve local policies and championing initiatives that benefit Oakland residents. Her perspective as a mother of two young children provides her with invaluable insight into the needs of families, and she is passionate about increasing park access for underserved communities.
Casey understands the vital role that parks play in fostering community and is dedicated to making green spaces more inclusive and accessible. She recognizes that many families, especially those in underserved areas, face barriers to accessing safe and welcoming outdoor environments. Casey’s vision for East Bay Regional Parks includes growing parkland along the shoreline, reducing wildfire risk, championing resiliency policies, and ensuring that every child and family has the opportunity to experience the joy and benefits of nature. Her commitment to inclusivity and access makes her an ideal candidate to represent Ward 2.
East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors Ward 4
Vote for Luana Espana
As an avid volunteer for city and regional parks, Luana Espana is the true definition of an outdoor enthusiast. For more than 10 years, Luana has advised leaders and made policy recommendations on the executive committees of the East Bay Regional Park District Park Advisory Committee, Bay Area Ridge Trail Council Board, and Hayward Area Recreation & Park District Citizen Advisory.
Her passion for the parks and experience serving on many park-related executive committees gave her more depth and substance in her questionnaire responses than other candidates. Additionally, given her professional role guiding Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for the Port of Oakland, Luana has deep knowledge of the climate resiliency challenges facing EBRPD and how to make the agency more accessible and beneficial to all East Bay residents.
Peralta Community College District Trustee, Area 2
No endorsement
Our committee has chosen to not endorse in this race because we could not substantiate information for both candidates in the race.
| Candidate | Profession | Questionnaire | Interview | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paulina Gonzales | Appointed Incumbent | Did not return questionnaire | No Interview | |
| Sinead Geneva Anderson | Educator | Did not return questionnaire | No interview |
Ad Paid for by Empower Oakland Committee, PO Box 7669 Oakland FPPC ID# 1466279. Ad Committee’s Top Funders/Major funding provided by:
Jesse Pollak
Abhinav Gupta
Ronald Nahas
in the amount of $65,000.00.
Not authorized by or coordinated with any City candidate, committee controlled by a candidate, or election official. Funding details are available on the Oakland Public Ethics Commission’s website. Total cost of the communication is $142.96.
