Oakland City Council races: What this election means for the city's direction
The at-large council seat, which represents the whole city
In what is likely one of the most hotly contested races, 10 people are running to replace long-time Council Member Rebecca Kaplan, who was first elected in 2008 and is giving up her seat. Kaplan has not said why she’s not running. The candidates include Armstrong, whose dismissal as police chief in 2023 first spurred calls for Thao’s removal from office.
District 7, which represents parts of East Oakland, Oakland hills, the Oakland airport, Arroyo Viejo and neighborhoods along the San Leandro border
Iris Merriouns, who was Larry Reid’s chief of staff for 23 years and currently works as chief of staff to District 4 Council Member Janani Ramachandran, said she decided to enter the race after community members encouraged her. Merriouns points to her lengthy experience in City Hall — understanding the city’s processes and functions — and relationships she has built in the county and state as reasons she would be an effective leader.
District 1, which represents North Oakland, parts of the Oakland hills, Rockridge and neighborhoods along the Piedmont border
Among the candidates to replace Kalb is Zac Unger, a firefighter and president of the firefighters union. His endorsements include the city’s unions, building trades and members of the City Council and other county and state elected leaders. Unger’s opponents include Len Raphael, a certified public accountant whose endorsements include Brenda Harbin-Forte, a retired judge and a leader of the recall against Thao, and Brenda Grisham, the leader of the recall against Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price. Edward Frank, a homemaker and business owner, is also running for the seat.
District 3, which represents West Oakland, Uptown, Jack London, Pill Hill, Lake Merritt and the Port of Oakland
In the 2020 election, Carroll Fife, the founder of Moms4Housing, unseated a two-term incumbent in a stunning victory. Now Fife is up for re-election and she has five opponents. Those candidates include Warren Logan, a transportation and policy director under former Mayor Libby Schaaf; Baba Afolabi, an entrepreneur; Michelle Hailey, a community housing assistant; Shan Hirsch, a community activist and in-home caregiver; and Meron Semedar, the head of a nonprofit that mentors refugees and immigrants.
District 5, which represents the Fruitvale and San Antonio districts
Noel Gallo, who was first elected to the position in 2013, is running for reelection. Known for holding weekly trash pickups in his neighborhood, Gallo has been a longtime fixture in the neighborhood. Two people are running against him, including Erin Armstrong, a senior policy adviser for Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley. If elected, Armstrong would be the first transgender person to hold a seat on the City Council. Dominic Prado, a business owner in the Fruitvale Public Market, is also running for the seat.
https://www.sfchronicle.com/election/article/oakland-city-council-preview-19824545.php