Carson makes his pick

Supe's endorsement shakes up District 5 runoff; Alameda County Dems receive reminder that candidate seeking their endorsement once disavowed the party; East Bay native accepts nomination for president

Emeryville Councilmember John Bauters’ campaign for county supervisor received a major boost after locking up the endorsement of retiring Supervisor Keith Carson.

ELECTION 2024

76 days to Election Day

ALAMEDA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS - DISTRICT 5

—THE PICK—Retiring Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson revealed his chosen successor for the District 5 seat, and it’s Emeryville Councilmember John Bauters.

—“John Bauters' leadership and unwavering commitment to serving the poor, unhoused, and challenged communities are qualities I've deeply admired throughout his career,” Carson said, in a statement released on Thursday.

—“He has been a reliable partner in our shared mission to uplift all residents of Alameda County, ensuring that resources are allocated responsibly and with compassion. John's collaborative spirit and dedication to social justice will serve him well on the Board of Supervisors, and I'm proud to support him.”

—Carson announced he would not seek re-election in December, just hours before the filing deadline for the March Primary. The move set prospective candidates scrambling to assemble campaign teams.

—Oakland Councilmember Nikki Fortunato Bas won the March Primary with 34.05 percent of the vote, followed by Bauters at 20.7 percent.

—Carson did not back a candidate in the primary. His endorsement in the November runoff had been highly anticipated.

—The endorsement of Bauters is likely to reorganize the fall race.

March Primary Winners and Losers

—Bauters starts the fall campaign 14 points behind Bas. An internal poll released last month by the Bauters campaign reframed the November runoff as a dead heat.

—Labor, however, is squarely in Bas’ corner, although several public safety unions have endorsed Bauters.

—Bas’ record on public safety in Oakland remains the biggest wildcard in this race. Bas backed a 50 percent cut over two years to the Oakland Police Department’s budget in 2021.

—Bauters, meanwhile, is likely susceptible to criticism for attempting to lower Emeryville’s minimum wage in 2019.

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