'Soggies' worst nightmare
Oakland raconteur Seneca Scott has filed an intent to run for mayor next year
☕️MORNING BUZZ
—He’s the most interesting man in Oakland politics, and one of its most polarizing. Now Seneca Scott is gearing up for another run for mayor.
Scott filed an intent (Form 501) last week for a 2026 showdown against Mayor Barbara Lee.
He ran for mayor in 2022, and was an irritant to the eventual winner, Sheng Thao, but he failed to gain much traction at the ballot box.
But this time, he’s not an unknown.
Scott’s spent the past few years as a loud, relentless presence in Oakland’s political scene, helping lead the recall effort against Mayor Thao, railing online about corruption and crime, and “soggies,” his pejorative for progressives. He also hosts his own YouTube show, Gotham Oakland.
“The lack of talent in Oakland, and the lack of people who understand how serious things are is how we got here,” Scott said.
“Now people know. This guy knows what he’s talking about. I can go toe to toe with anybody in Oakland.”
Lee, who took office in May after Thao’s recall, already filed to seek a full four-year term.
Also in the mix: Brenda Grisham, a key player in the DA Pamela Price recall, and Mindy Pechenuk, who ran in May’s special mayoral election.
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