There's a new girl in town
East Bay Insiders Podcast is back! Plus, County News; Mid-year campaign finance reports for all East Bay State Senate, Assembly, local statewide candidates, county officials and their top donors
🎙️EAST BAY INSIDERS PODCAST
—Listen to the latest East Bay Insiders Podcast today with guest co-host Trishala Vinnakota, the campaign consultant for both of Loren Taylor’s runs for Oakland mayor.
—She provides some behind-the-scenes insights and stories from last spring’s special mayoral election in Oakland, including a few “Oh, sh-t!” moments when it appeared that Taylor could actually upset Barbara Lee.
—Plus, takes on Lee’s first two months in office, everyman Oakland Councilmember Ken Houston, former Emeryville Mayor John Bauters’ turn as reality TV star, and Hot Takes, sponsored by GrilleeQ.
📺EAST BAY INSIDERS TV
—If you didn’t catch them earlier this week, watch former Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and BART Board Director Victor Flores on East Bay Insiders TV.
—411 ON THE 510—Become an East Bay Insiders subscriber today and get FULL ACCESS to the inside scoop every weekday morning at 6 a.m. It’s what the insiders read.
COUNTY NEWS
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
—EVICTION BAN BACKLASH—Alameda County Supervisor David Haubert again acknowledged on Wednesday the mounting legal risks over its now-expired COVID-19 eviction moratorium, as two lawsuits allege the county’s pandemic-era policy amounted to an unconstitutional “taking” of private property.
—“We are in litigation over rents that have been questioned during the eviction moratorium. We have to find a solution for them,” Haubert said, while suggesting one solution could be to use Measure W sales tax funds to make landlords whole.
—“Whether it comes from this measure or comes from our general fund. We might be vulnerable to a lawsuit there,” Haubert said.
—During public comment on Wednesday prior to the Board of Supervisors approving guiding principles for allocating the $810 million in sales tax revenue, several speakers expressed strong opposition to the county using the money—intended for housing and homelessness solutions—to be given to landlords.
—The plan approved by the board on Wednesday does not include any funding for paying back landlords, Haubert said, which was reiterated by the county administrator.
—Alameda County’s moratorium was among the longest-lasting in California. Advocates praised it as a lifeline for vulnerable tenants, and reviled by rental property owners.
—The lawsuits brought by property owners, argues the sweeping eviction freeze unlawfully deprived landlords of rental income without compensation. If the courts agree, the county could be liable for hundreds of millions of dollars in damages.
—GET OFF OUR BACK—Over the past four months, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors has faced sustained pressure from mayors, councilmembers, city managers, housing advocates, and landlords—all demanding a “fair share” of the $810 million in Measure W sales tax revenue to help address housing shortages and homelessness.
—On Wednesday, the Board approved a long-awaited framework to allocate the Measure W funds, which have been held in escrow since July 2021.
—The plan also outlines how to distribute an estimated $170 million in new annual revenue going forward through 2031.
—Supervisor Elisa Márquez used the moment to push back on the growing criticism, calling on residents to hold their own city governments accountable.
—“While everyone up here is pointing the finger at us that it’s our responsibility to end homelessness, it’s really not,” Márquez said.
—“It’s the entire county. I really need everyone here who’s passionate about Measure W funding to go back to your cities and ask them what they are doing.”
CAMPAIGN FINANCE
—💰MONEYBALL—Mid-year campaign finance reports were released this week covering Jan. 1 through June 30. Thursday night was the filing deadline.
—Here’s some highlights:
Appointed Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson is off to a strong start on the campaign finance front. The political neophyte raised $143,370 this year, as of June 30.
Assemblymember Mia Bonta reported the highest amount of cash reserves in the entire East Bay legislative caucus with $815,812, as of June 30.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta raised $1.1 million during the first six months of this year, giving him a cash reserve of $6.2 million.
Freshman State Sen. Tim Grayson’s placeholder account for state controller in 2030 raised far more cash than his state senate committees.
Former Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf’s campaign for state treasurer in 2026 reported $197,526 in contributions for the first six months of this year. Schaaf’s cash reserves are $426,501, as of June 30.
Between Alameda County Supervisor David Haubert’s re-election committees for 2024 and 2028, he reported a combined $605,799 in cash reserves.
STATE
STATE SENATE
AISHA WAHAB FOR STATE SENATE 2026—Jan. 1-June 30
Cash IN $176,215
Cash OUT $37,810
Loans/Debts $6,037
Cash on Hand $396,735
Top/notable donors (this period): Association of California School Administrators PAC Small Contributor Committee., $11,800; California State Council of Laborers PAC Small Contributor Committee, $5,900; Limon for State Controller 2030, $5,900; Women's Political Committee State, $5,000; California-Nevada Conference of Operating Engineers PAC Small Contributor Committee, $5,000.
JESSE ARREGUÍN FOR SENATE 2028—Jan. 1-June 30
Cash IN $285,689
Cash OUT $125,126
Loans/Debts $0
Cash on Hand $160,562
Top donors: IBEW Local Union 302, $11,800; IBEW Local 595 Pac, $11,800; Faculty For Our University's Future, $10,300; California YIMBY Victory Fund, $5,900; U.A. Local 342 PAC. Fund, $5,900; Sheet Metal Workers Local Union 104 Political Committee, $5,900; Sprinkler Fitters Local 483 Legislative PAC, $5,900; Elizabeth D. Simons of Atherton, $5,900; Patty Quillin of Santa Cruz, $5,900.
JERRY MCNERNEY FOR STATE SENATE 2028—Jan. 1-June 30
Cash IN $57,569
Cash OUT $13,020
Loans/Debts $0
Cash on Hand $44,561
Top donors: Faculty For Our University's Future, $11,800; Bay Area Legislative Leaders PAC, $5,900; KPMG, $3,000; Ernest & Young, $3,000; California New Car Dealers Association PAC, $3,000.
TIM GRAYSON FOR SENATE 2024—Jan. 1-June 30
Cash IN $0
Cash OUT $43,686
Loans/Debts $500
Cash on Hand $150,864
TIM GRAYSON 2024 OFFICEHOLDER ACCOUNT—Jan. 1-June 30
Cash IN $80,550
Cash OUT $20,989
Loans/Debts $0
Cash on Hand $60,394
Top donors: Plastiq, Powered By Priority, LLC, $4,900; Pechanga Band Of Indians, $4,900; AT&T Services, Inc. And Its Affiliates, $3,500; Encore Capital Group, Inc., $3,000; Charter Communications Operating, LLC, $3,000.
TIM GRAYSON FOR STATE CONTROLLER 2030—Jan. 1-June 30
Cash IN $174,833
Cash OUT $49,999
Loans/Debts $6,107
Cash on Hand $130,942
Top donors: IBEW Local Union 302 PAX Small Contributor Committee, $10,000; California American Council Of Engineering Companies PAC, $9,800; California Credit Union League PAC, $9,800; Elizabeth Simons of Atherton, $5,900; Patty Quillin of Santa Cruze, $5,900; CRC Services LLC, $5,900; Cemex Materials LLC, $5,900; California Apartment Association PAC, $5,900.
ASSEMBLY
MIA BONTA FOR ASSEMBLY 2026—Jan. 1-June 30
Cash IN $254,570
Cash OUT $109,702
Loans/Debts $13,074
Cash on Hand $815,812
Top donors: Faculty For Our University's Future, $6,800; Elizabeth D. Simons of Atherton, $5,900; Patty Quillin of Santa Cruz, $5,900; Blue Shield of California, $5,900; Alameda Labor Council, AFL-CIO Solidarity PAC Small Contributor Committee, $5,900.
REBECCA BAUER-KAHAN FOR ASSEMBLY 2026—Jan. 1-June 30
Cash IN $98,310
Cash OUT $135,863
Loans/Debts $6,917
Cash on Hand $705,600
Top donors: Elizabeth D. Simons of Atherton, $5,900; Patty Quillin of Santa Cruz, $5,900; California Apartment Association PAC, $5,900; Bay Area Legislative Leaders PAC, $5,900; California State Council of Laborers PAC Small Contributor Committee, $5,900; Walmart Inc., $5,000;
ALEX LEE FOR STATE ASSEMBLY 2026—Jan. 1-June 30
Cash IN $217,410
Cash OUT $167,854
Loans/Debts $24,158
Cash on Hand $347,917
Top donors: Association Of California School Administrators PAC Small Contributor Committee, $11,800; Elizabeth D. Simons of Atherton, $5,900; Patty Quillin of Santa Cruz, $5,900; Consumer Attorneys of California PAC, $5,900; California Nurses Association PAC Small Contributor Committee, $5,830; AFSCME - Council 57 PAC, $5,500.
BUFFY WICKS FOR ASSEMBLY 2026—Jan. 1-June 30
Cash IN $390,315
Cash OUT $116,558
Loans/Debts $11,206
Cash on Hand $295,401
Top donors: Faculty For Our University's Future, $10,400; Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, $5,900; Pechanga Band of Indians, $5,900; American Beverage Association, $5,900; Underdog Sports, LLC, $5,900; AirBNB, $5,900; Uber Technologies, Inc, $5,900; California Apartment Association PAC, $5,900.
LIZ ORTEGA-TORO FOR ASSEMBLY 2026—Jan. 1-June 30
Cash IN $165,709
Cash OUT $162,623
Loans/Debts $31,669
Cash on Hand $221,896
Top donors: Faculty For Our University's Future, $10,400; California State Pipe Trades Council PAC Small Contributor Committee, $7,500; California State Association of Electrical Workers Small Contributor Committee, $7,500; Phillips 66 Company, $5,900; Elizabeth D. Simons of Atherton, $5,900; Patty Quillin of Santa Cruz, $5,900; Steamfitters Local 342 PAC, $5,900; Alameda Labor Council, AFL-CIO Solidarity PAC, $5,900; International Association of Firefighters Local 55 PAC, $5,900.
GOVERNOR
TONY THURMOND FOR GOVERNOR 2026—Jan. 1-June 30
Cash IN $70,044
Cash OUT $110,655
Loans/Debts $5,957
Cash on Hand $557.623
Top donors: International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local 92 PAC, $12,500; Melody Howe Weintraub of Lafayette, $5,000; Association of California State Supervisors PAC, $5,000; University Professional and Technical Employees PAC, $5,000; Richard Robbins of San Rafael, $5,000; Moses Libitzky of Emeryville, $4,201.
BETTY YEE FOR GOVERNOR 2026—Jan. 1-June 30
Cash IN $197,526
Cash OUT $19,107
Loans/Debts $152
Cash on Hand $426,501
Top donors: Thomas Mitchell Gray of Celina, Tenn., $35,000; Evolution Electric Vehicles INC., $26,400; James Hartley of Waterbury, Conn., $5,500; Nicholas Roxborough of Woodland Hills, Calif., $5,000; Constance Murray of Carmel Valley, Calif., $4,000.
ATTORNEY GENERAL
ROB BONTA 2026—Jan. 1-June 30
Cash IN $1,143,684
Cash OUT $513,781
Loans/Debts $94,666
Cash on Hand $6,230,273
Top donors: California Federation of Teachers Cope Small Contributor Committee, $19,600; California State Council of Service Employees - Small Contributor Committee, $19,600; SEIU Local 99 Candidate PAC Small Contributor Committee, $19,600; SEIU Local 2015 Candidate PAC Small Contributor Committee, $19,600; United Domestic Workers of America Action Fund Small Contributor Committee, $19,600; AFSCME CA People Small Contributor Committee, $14,600; SEIU Local 1021 Candidate PAC Small Contributor Committee, $10,000; California Teamsters Public Affairs Council Small Contributor Committee, $10,000.
TREASURER
LIBBY SCHAAF FOR TREASURER 2026—Jan. 1-June 30
Cash IN $197,526
Cash OUT $19,107
Loans/Debts $152
Cash on Hand $426,501
Top donors: Wayne Jordan of Oakland, $9,800; Caleb Roope of Eagle, ID, $9,100; Jimmy Silverwood of San Diego, $9,100; Alexander Riaz Taplin of Oakland, $8,600; Francisco Devries of Piedmont, $6,500; Robert Nibbi of San Francisco, $5,000; Amanda Monchamp of Oakland, $5,000; DesertXpress Enterprises LLC, $5,000; Lisa Forssell of Palo Alto, $5,000; Isaac Abid of Oakland, $5,000.
ALAMEDA COUNTY
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
FRIENDS OF URSULA JONES DICKSON FOR DISTRICT ATTORNEY 2026—Jan. 1-June 30
Cash IN $143,370
Cash OUT $11,147
Loans/Debts $0
Cash on Hand $132,222
Top donors: Inder Dosanjh of Livermore, $40,000; Alison Roush Sanger of Oakland, $11,800; Jaspreet Dosanjh of Danville, $5,000; Taz Harvey of Tracy, $5,000; Brian Owens of Oakland, $5,000; Sprinkler Fitters & Apprentices Local 483, $5,000; Annie Esposito of Livermore, $3,000; Alameda County Management Employees Association PAC, $2,500; Jack Balch of Pleasanton, $1,000; Jimmie Wilson of Oakland, $500; Lena Tam of Oakland, $500; Raj Salwan of Fremont, $250; Greg Boller of Alameda, $150.
SHERIFF
RE-ELECT YESENIA SANCHEZ FOR SHERIFF 2028—Jan. 1-June 30
Cash IN $39,888
Cash OUT $21,265
Loans/Debts $7,644
Cash on Hand $24,981
Top donors: Jessie Dosanjh of Danville, $10,000; Alameda County Management Employees Association PAC, $5,000; Joshua Matthews of Oakland, $5,000; Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 342 PAC, $2,500; National Union of Healthcare Workers Candidate Committee, $2,500; IBEW Local 595 PAC, $1,500; Liz Ortega-Toro for Assembly 2026, $1,500; Phong La For County Assessor, $1,000.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
DAVID HAUBERT FOR SUPERVISOR 2028—Jan. 1-June 30
Cash IN $108,714
Cash OUT $6,388
Loans/Debts $0
Cash on Hand $306,813
Top donors: Deputy Sheriffs Association of Alameda County PAC, $15,000; Cobalt Equipment Inc., $5,000; Rafanelli & Nahas Mgt. Corp., $5,000; Alameda County Management Employees Assoc. PAC, $5,000; Sheet Metal Workers' International Assoc. Local No. 104 PAC, $5,000; California Apartment Assoc. PAC, $5,000; Oakland Police Officer's Assoc. PAC, $5,000; IBEW Local 595 Pac, $5,000; Fremont Bank, $5,000.
DAVID HAUBERT FOR SUPERVISOR 2024—Jan. 1-June 30
Cash IN $0
Cash OUT $29,493
Loans/Debts $0
Cash on Hand $298,986
ELISA MARQUEZ FOR SUPERVISOR 2026—Jan. 1-June 30
Cash IN $129,601
Cash OUT $27,595
Loans/Debts $0
Cash on Hand $188,738
Top donors: Deputy Sheriffs Association of Alameda County PAC, $20,000; Laborers Local 304, $10,000; Sheet Metal Workers Local Union 104 Political Committee, $5,000; IAFF Local 55 Political Action Committee, $5,000; IBEW Local 595 PAC, $5,000; Sprinkler Fitters & Apprentices Local 483, $5,000; Laborers Local 304, $5,000; Esmeralda Espinoza of Pleasanton, $5,000; Alameda County Management Employees Association, $2,519; Fremont Firefighters Local 1689, $2,500; Nancy O’Malley of Alameda, $2,500; Bill Quirk of Union City, $2,500.
RE-ELECT LENA TAM FOR ALAMEDA COUNTY SUPERVISOR 2026—Jan. 1-June 30
Cash IN $109,005
Cash OUT $987
Loans/Debts $0
Cash on Hand $108,017
Top donors: Deputy Sheriifs Association of Alameda County PAC, $20,000; California Apartment Association PAC, $20,000; Lena Tam for Alameda County Supervisor 2022, $10,000; Northern California SWAP Meets, Inc, $5,000; IBEW Local 595 PAC, $5,000; Laborer's Local 304 PAC, $5,000; U.A. Local 342 P.A.C. fund, $5,000; California Real Estate Political Committee, $1,500.
NIKKI F BAS FOR SUPERVISOR 2024—Jan. 1-June 30
Cash IN $36,497
Cash OUT $56,588
Loans/Debts $10,055
Cash on Hand $7,987
Top donors: International Association of Fire Fighters Local 55, $5,000; Northern California Carpenters Regional Council Power PAC, $5,000; Robert Phillips of Oakland, $5,000; Laborers Local Union 270 PAC, $2,500; SEIU Local 521 Candidate PAC, $2,500; San Francisco Laborer's Local 261 PAC, $2,500.
NATE MILEY FOR SUPERVISOR 2024—Jan. 1-June 30
Cash IN $95,850
Cash OUT $203,788
Loans/Debts $84,532
Cash on Hand $6,717
Top donors: California Nurses Association PAC, $11,500; Cam & Jam Real Estate Development LLC, $10,000; Building and Construction Trades Council of Alameda County PAC, $5,000; Hayward Police Officers Association, $5,000; National Union of Healthcare Workers Committee for Quality Patient Care and Union Democracy Candidate PAC, $5,000; Oakland Police Officer's Association, $5,000.
