Loren Taylor is turning up the heat

Nevada teachers move ahead with push to repeal Vegas ballpark funding; Oakland seeks ENA for Roots stadium at the Coliseum; Plans to lower threshold for local ballot measures gains steam

Former Oakland Councilmember Loren Taylor is not laying low following his narrow defeat in last year’s mayoral election.

CITY NEWS

OAKLAND

—STREET HEAT—Loren Taylor, the former Oakland councilmember and almost mayor, announced on Wednesday the creation of Empower Oakland, a non-profit that hopes to energize and educate the city’s electorate.

—Taylor has made no attempts to hide his criticism of new Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao as the new administration has stumbled out of the gate for much of the year.

—A string of critical tweets preceded Taylor telling the East Bay Insiders last month that he’s contemplating another run for mayor in 2026.

Loren Taylor on running for mayor in 2026

—Helping Oakland voters understand ranked choice voting is one of Empower Oakland’s pillars. It’s no surprise since the unique voting system led to Taylor losing the mayoral race by a scant 682 votes, despite winning the most first-round votes.

—The non-profit will also provide residents with voter information, provide a report card for the elected officials, and conduct its business in a transparent manner, Taylor said.

—SOUND FAMILIAR?—Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao’s response to Loren Taylor’s creation of Empower Oakland was to equate him to President Trump, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

—“Our country is struggling to correct the dangerous, undemocratic trend of losing candidates, like Donald Trump and Loren Taylor, who actively undermine the power of the people by refusing to accept the outcome of a fair election,” said Leigh Hanson, Thao’s spokesperson.

—When the group seeking to recall Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price formed their committee last June, Price similarly equated them to Trump.

MORE INSIDE:

• CITY NEWS: Baseball may be uprooted in Oakland, but soccer could be Root(ed) at the Coliseum

• OPD alum quits top cop role in Philly

• New Port of Oakland commissioners

• Slamming the lid on garbage talk in San Leandro

• Union City school boardmember is resigning

• LEGISLATIVE NEWS: Constitutional convention resolution moves forward

• Good news for local cities looking to raise taxes next year

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