East Bay November Election Preview: Part 3 - Progressives face city council showdowns in Alameda, San Leandro, Hayward
Signs of a second Covid spring wave; Proposed county rental ordinances receive another airing
11. ALAMEDA CITY COUNCIL
Alameda’s progressive majority is at risk yet again this fall. The slim 3-2 progressive majority is losing Councilmember John Knox White, who announced earlier this year that he will not seek re-election following one term. Councilmember Tony Daysog, who is not part of the progressive majority, is also up for re-election. After years of progressive gains in Alameda, the movement appears to be running out of steam. Across the board, the bench is thin. Former Councilmember Jim Oddie is likely to run for one of the two at-large council seats. He’s a staunch progressive and a known quantity. Perhaps, too well-known, which makes him a target for rabid moderates and conservatives on the island. The only other known candidate is a political newcomer named Bill Pai. He comes from Bay Farm Island, which in recent elections has been able to mobilize the area’s moderate Asian American homeowners to the ballot box. There’s intermittent rumors of other progressive-leaning candidates joining this race, but none are particularly connected to the city’s lefty establishment (Alameda firefighters, Alameda County Democratic Party). This entire election could also be scrambled if Councilmember Trish Herrera Spencer (former mayor) runs against Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft this fall, as speculated by some. Spencer is a divisive figure in Alameda, but those who absolutely love her slightly outnumber those who merely dislike her politics.
12. SAN LEANDRO CITY COUNCIL - DISTS 1, 5
For a city that struggles to find people willing to run for office, the number of likely candidates in two of three open seats this fall is a full house. Settle down, now! The District 1 seat vacated by termed out Councilmember Deborah Cox has three candidates. The District 5 seat vacated by termed out Councilmember Corina Lopez has two, as of mid-July…
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