Vote for Oakland’s comeback
Also: Nor Cal Carpenters Union, letters from Fremont High students, 'Abundant' movement
🎉 Join us on Tuesday for Empower Oakland’s Election Night Party! RSVP for details.
Election day is almost here.
With just 3 days left, please cast your vote and share your guidance with your friends and family. Please consider sending an email or text blast to your broader network with our voter guide (or your own recommendations!).
Unlike national races, local elections — especially in Oakland — can be challenging because the choices are often between a field of Democrats. This can make it difficult to understand hyper-local policy differences that ultimately have a big impact on how the city is run and the direction we’re headed.
That’s our mission at Empower Oakland – to better inform Oaklanders on the issues that matter most so you feel empowered to vote for the future you want to see.
We’ve put 250+ volunteer hours into interviewing and vetting candidates — and our voter guide is a playbook to making our vision a reality.
It’s easy to review and share our top-line endorsement. But for anyone who wants to dig deeper, we have in-depth questionnaires, video interviews with the dozens of candidates who participated in our process, as well as thorough analyses of the local ballot measures.
It’s cool if you don’t agree with all of our endorsements — in fact, we don’t expect you to. What’s most important is that you are informed and vote for who best aligns with your values and vision for Oakland.
Please share the voter guide with friends, family, your barber, and anyone you know in Oakland!
Want more info on Empower Oakland and our process? See below for who we are and what we stand for.
In other news…
The Nor Cal Carpenters Union announced their support to recall Mayor Sheng Thao, capping off a drama-filled back-and-forth between the union and Thao, including the union’s logo being used on an anti-recall flyer without the union’s permission. (KRON)
In a late endorsement, the SF Chronicle said Mayor Thao should be recalled. Among many reasons, the Chronicle’s editorial board said that Thao has lost the trust and Oaklanders and that “there’s no question that Thao has displayed a disturbing lack of basic management and organizational skills.” (SF Chronicle)
Eight Fremont High School students wrote letters on what they want from local politicians addressing a range of issues, including the need for mental health services, the lack of after-school programs and job opportunities, and what candidates can do to help. (Oaklandside)
What is an ‘Abundant’ politician? Read more on the emerging political ideology and identity for people fighting the traditional political system to improve outcomes for regular people. (Modern Power)
☕️ Oakland Proud
The SF Chronicle recently featured ‘dream diner’ and beloved Laurel staple Sequoia Diner, where “everything from the bacon to the hot sauces are made from scratch” and “a historic part of culinary Americana is revitalized with multicultural flavors.”
🎉 Come party!
Please join us on Tuesday, November 5th for a special Election Night Party hosted by Empower Oakland. This is our chance to come together as a community, celebrate all of our hard work, and watch the election results roll in.
We are excited to welcome our endorsed candidates, along with all candidates who have participated in this election, to join us for an incredible night of food, fun, and celebration with fellow supporters and friends. Let's come together to celebrate the spirit of democracy.
Empower Oakland supports the recalls that are primarily funded by special interest Piedmont hedge fund millionaire Dreyfuus (Oaklandside). Empower Oakland also supports Abundant politics that are against supporting narrow special interest groups.
I vote to keep Oakland from becoming San Francisco.