13 Cities in Alameda County Have Mayoral, Council Races

ALAMEDA COUNTY, CA — Voters in 13 cities in Alameda County will be voting for mayoral and city council candidates in the Nov. 8 election. One of the most contested and interesting races is the eight-candidate contest to succeed Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates, who isn't seeking re-election after 14 years as the city's leader.

Because of their name recognition and experience, the leading candidates appear to be Councilmen Jesse Arreguin, Laurie Capitelli and Kriss Worthington. Also running are graduate student Ben Gould, retired assistant administrator Naomi Pete, scientist Bernt Wahl, homeless activist and community volunteer Guy "Mike" Lee and Zachary Running Wolf, an activist and perennial candidate. Capitelli, a realtor who's been on the City Council for 12 years, said in his ballot statement that his accomplishments include helping to build hundreds of affordable housing units, implementing a soda tax and securing money for the city's schools.

"As mayor, I will provide focused and effective services and housing for the homeless, create more vibrancy downtown and in our commercial corridors and ensure the city is fiscally responsible while addressing our
aging parks, buildings and community spaces," he said.

Arreguin, who's been on the council for eight years and at the age of 32 is the youngest of the leading candidates, said if he's elected, "I'll continue to lead on economic and social justice, promote equity in our
schools and community, improve city services and infrastructure and advance Berkeley's environmental leadership."

Worthington, who's been on the council for 20 years, said he has spearheaded hundreds of public policy issues addressing labor, the environment, solar power, fossil-free investments, affordable housing, public
transit, public safety and economic development, among other accomplishments.

One of the more competitive Berkeley City Council races is in District 6, where two-term incumbent Susan Wengraf is being challenged by retired journalist Fred Dodsworth and medical writer Isabelle Gaston. Wengraf said, "I've been a leader in fighting for reduced school zone speeds, reconstructing Terrace View Park, preserving neighborhood character, advancing environmental policies and working to improve the
efficiency and responsiveness of city services."

Gaston said she's running because for two decades the city has paid "scant attention" to its financial well-being and the result is that there's less money available for basic services, roads, parks, pools and social programs.

"If elected, I pledge to focus like a laser beam on our financial health," she said.

Dodsworth said, "I will fight for our residents, parents, children, public service workers and friends, including those who are not fortunate enough to own homes."

In Berkeley's District 2 City Council race, three-term incumbent Darryl Moore is being challenged by bookkeeper Cheryl Davila and Nanci Armstrong-Temple.

In District 3, where incumbent Maxwell Anderson is retiring, four candidates are trying to replace him: Deborah Matthews, former school district spokesman Mark Coplan, attorney and planning commissioner Ben Bartlett and Al Murray.

In District 5, zoning board member Sophie Hahn and planning commissioner Stephen Murphy are running to fill the seat that Laurie Capitelli is vacating because he's running for mayor.

In Oakland, there are five City Council seats on the ballot in which incumbents are seeking to be re-elected but face challengers. Perhaps the most interesting face is that for the at-large seat, in which two-term incumbent Rebecca Kaplan, who twice unsuccessfully ran for mayor, is being opposed by four candidates.
Her strongest opponent appears to be Peggy Moore, a senior aide to Mayor Libby Schaaf and the state director for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.

Moore said, "I'm committed to doing everything in my power to make our city more livable and affordable for all residents" and said for 25 years she has worked to "empower communities across Oakland while fighting for social and economic equity."

Kaplan said, "I have led efforts to protect renters from displacement, expand affordable housing, support community oversight of our police department and increase local hiring, protect our community from coal
and crack down on illegal guns."

Also running for the at-large seat are Matt Hummer, the chair of the Oakland Cannabis Regulatory Commission, civil rights attorney and law professor Bruce Quan and perennial candidate Nancy Sidebotham.

In District 1, one-term incumbent Dan Siegel is being challenged by probate attorney Kevin Corbett. In District 3, one-term incumbent Lynette Gibson McElhaney, the council's president, is being challenged by assistant librarian Noni Session.

In District 5, one-term incumbent Noel Gallo is being challenged by Viola Gonzales, who's endorsed by Schaaf and is the chief executive of AnewAmerica Community Corporation. In District 7, five-term incumbent Larry
Reid is being challenged by Marcie Hodge and activist Nehanda Imara.

In Fremont, Alameda County's second-biggest city after Oakland, incumbent Mayor Bill Harrison is being challenged by Vice Mayor Lily Mei, and seven candidates are running for two seats on the City Council.
If Mei is elected mayor, the third-highest vote-getter in the council race will take over her council seat and serve the last two years of her term.

Harrison said he's running for re-election because, "I want to ensure that we continue to move Fremont forward in a way that protects our city's unique character and values." He said, "We can expand our economy while controlling growth to sustain our beautiful environment."

Mei said, "Fremont needs change. As a longtime resident, I've seen development grow rampantly, contributing to standstill traffic and school overcrowding."

Mei, who pledged not to accept any money from developers, said, "Before considering any new developments, we must ensure that they won't overload city resources and infrastructure."

One of the Fremont City Council seats on the ballot is currently held by Suzanne Lee Chan, who will be termed out at the end of the year, and the other is held by Vinnie Bacon, who is seeking re-election to a second term.

Also running are software developer Marty Froomin, human resources administrative assistant Kathy Kimberlin, mortgage company operations manager Laurie Manuel, veterinarian Raj Salwan, non-profit president and chief executive Rakesh Sharma and communications representative Cullen Tiernan.

By Bay City News

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