We packed the house at the Special Oakland Candidate Forum! Over a hundred Oaklanders joined us for an engaging candidate forum focused on the special election for Mayor and City Council District Two. Greenbelt Alliance teamed up with East Bay For Everyone, Save The Bay, and the Housing Action Coalition to host this exciting forum and get straight answers from the candidates on housing, climate resilience, and the environment.
Key Issues for Oakland’s Incoming Leaders
While the rest of Alameda County’s election season is winding down, Oakland is stepping up to fill two critical vacancies. Recall voters ousted former Mayor Sheng Thao in the 2024 General Election, and the District Two seat opened up when its representative moved to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors.
With federal funding on the chopping block, Oakland and other cities face tough budget decisions. Oakland, in particular, must tackle its high cost of living, crumbling infrastructure, and the looming threat of sea level rise. The incoming leaders will face a city grappling with a financial crisis and a challenging federal landscape.
The candidates showed strong support for expanding safe bike networks and streamlining housing approvals, in addition to building a San Antonio infill station and removing the 980 freeway. However, the Mayoral candidates diverged sharply on other key issues. We fielded over 30 questions from an engaged audience, covering everything from public safety and the budget deficit to more targeted policy inquiries. While we couldn’t get to all of the questions, the energy in the room was palpable.
Representing Oaklanders’ Priorities
Several news outlets were present to capture the forum and interview the candidates, helping us amplify the event’s impact on informing Oakland residents. Attendees told us they left better informed, some even saying they’d changed their minds on who to vote for!
With just two months until the election, we’re thrilled with the turnout and the opportunity for Oakland residents to hear from the candidates. We’re confident the candidates also gained valuable insights into the priorities of Oaklanders and our organizations. Watch the recording from the forum below!
Photo courtesy of Greenbelt Alliance
