Happy turkey day
East Bay calls for a ceasefire in Israel-Hamas war grow louder: Oakland and Berkeley rent board eye resolutions; Another recall is ready to kickoff. Plus, campaign finance data
Here’s to wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow. I’m thankful for your faithful support of the East Bay Insiders Newsletter.
It’s been a big second year for the newsletter. We surpassed our lofty subscriber goals in late August and strong growth is projected for Year 3, including some investments in expanding the current offerings of a daily newsletter and podcast. Stay tuned.
In the meantime, don’t forget to keep your turkey juicy by rubbing butter on the inside AND outside of your bird.
-steve
CITY NEWS
OAKLAND
—CALL FOR CEASEFIRE—Oakland Councilmember Carroll Fife will introduce a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict at a special meeting on Monday afternoon.
—The text of Fife’s resolution is largely even-handed, acknowledging suffering on both sides of the conflict and calling for the release of hostages.
—In an effort to encourage others to join calls for a ceasefire, Fife’s resolution also directs staff to send the document to Oakland’s Legislative caucus, including Assemblymembers Mia Bonta and Buffy Wicks, state Sen. Nancy Skinner, and every city council in the Bay Area.
—The Berkeley City Council was harangued last week by advocates demanding for a ceasefire at a meeting last week that was subsequently postponed. Meanwhile, the Berkeley Rent Board is expected to passed a ceasefire resolution at a special meeting on Nov. 30, Berkeleyside reports.
—Earlier this month, the Richmond City Council called for a ceasefire, as did the Alameda County Democratic Party, which also singled out Israel for genocide.
— A few candidates in the March primary have backed a ceasefire and/or registered support for Palestinians, such as Jovanka Beckles and Rep. Barbara Lee.
—Otherwise, the rest of the East Bay and its state and federal leaders have remained silent on the issue.
—However, it remains to be seen what exactly a ceasefire means if, according to reports on Tuesday night that Israel and Hamas have agreed on a four-day “pause” to allow for the release of hostages?
ELECTION 2024
SUNOL RECALL
—THAT OTHER RECALL—Sunol Glen school boardmembers Ryan Jergensen and Linda Hurley messed with a hornet’s nest last September when they attempted to push through a flag policy that for all intents and purposes denied the LGBT Pride flag from flying over its lone campus.
—Now both may get stung next year after a committee was formed last week to recall Jergensen and Hurley.
—The recall effort is led, by among others, Neil Davies, a former Sunol school boardmember.
—So, if you’re counting at home, Alameda County has three recall campaigns going on:
—Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price, state Sen. Aisha Wahab, and the Jergensen/Hurley recall.
—Among the three, the clearest path to success resides with the Jergensen/Hurley recall. The threshold of signatures needed to place the recall question is miniscule and the anger in small town Sunol is palpable.
—On top of that, the Alameda County Democratic Party is planning to strongly support the recall effort. On Tuesday, the party’s chair sent an email to local Dems urging them to contribute to the recall committee.
7TH SENATE DISTRICT
—NICOTINE ADDICTION—Sandré Swanson’s uphill battle to finish in the top two in a crowded 7th State Senate District appears to be treading water.
—In the past week, Swanson, a noted former East Bay assemblymember, accepted a $5,500 contribution from Philip Morris USA, the maker of several cigarette brands and pariah for most East Bay Democratic voters.
—Another tell-tale sign that Swanson’s campaign is struggling to fund itself, he gave himself a $5,500 campaign contribution last week.
9TH SENATE DISTRICT
—LABOR LOVE—Tim Grayson may not be the most liberal member of the state Assembly, but he has long-standing contacts including some in labor. Around these parts, including the Contra Costa County-centric 9th State Senate District, it’s good to have friends in labor.
—In recent weeks, Grayson has picked off a number of large contributions from labor unions, including the Laborers' International Union of North America-Local 89 PAC (LiUNA), and the California Federation of Teachers.
—That’s a bad sign for Grayson’s more liberal opponent in the 9th District, San Ramon Councilmember Marisol Rubio.
—In addition, Rubio’s bid to win the California Democratic Party’s crucial endorsement was scuttled last weekend. Rubio received the most support at the party’s convention, but fell short of winning the endorsement.
CAMPAIGN FINANCE
—MONEYBALL—Below is Form 497 campaign contributions ($5,000 or more) filed Nov. 16 through Nov. 21.
STATE LEGISLATURE
STATE ASSEMBLY
—Buffy Wicks (14th Assembly District), Quinn Delaney of Oakland, $5,500 (Nov. 19).
—Mia Bonta (18th Assembly District), Quinn Delaney of Oakland, $5,500 (Nov. 19).
—Cheyenne Kenney (18th Assembly District), Alan Kenney of Lafayette, Colo., $5,000 (Nov. 17).
—Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (16th Assembly District), Quinn Delaney of Oakland, $5,500 (Nov. 19).
—Liz Ortega (20th Assembly District), Quinn Delaney of Oakland, $5,500 (Nov. 19).
—Alex Lee (24th Assembly District), Quinn Delaney of Piedmont, $5,500 (Nov. 19).
STATE SENATE
—Jovanka Beckles (7th Senate District), Drive Committee, $5,500 (Nov. 13); Jovanka Beckles of San Pablo, $5,000 (Nov. 13).
—Sandre Swanson (7th Senate District), Sandre Swanson of Oakland, $5,500 (Nov. 15); Philip Morris USA, Inc. and its Affiliates, $5,500 (Nov. 20).
—Kathryn Lybarger (7th Senate District), IBEW Local No. 11 PAC, $5,000 (Nov. 16).
—Tim Grayson (9th Senate District), Laborers' International Union of North America-Local 89 PAC, $5,500 (Nov. 13); California Federation of Teachers COPE Small Contributor Committee, $5,000 (Nov. 16).
PODCAST
—EPISODE 75—Spend the Thanksgiving holiday with the East Bay Insiders Podcast. Our two-part episode with former East Bay Assemblymember Catharine Baker is much more satisfying than the Vegan turkey on the menu tomorrow.