City Government
Poll Shows Voters Highly Dissatisfied with Mayor Quan
A new poll commissioned by mayoral candidate Libby Schaaf shows high levels of dissatisfaction with incumbent Mayor Jean Quan and growing support for Councilmember Schaaf. EMC Research conducted the online survey of 595 likely voters on Feb. 5-7. The results show that most Oakland residents love their city, but they are very dissatisfied with the city’s direction, safety and Mayor Quan’s leadership.
Seventy-two percent say the city an excellent or good place to live, though only 24 percent say Oakland is heading the right direction, compared with 58 percent who say the city is on the wrong track. Only 12 percent say they feel safer in Oakland today compared with a year or two ago. Only 15 percent say Quan is doing a good job as mayor, while 52 percent say she is doing a “poor” job.
The latest poll continues a trend of poor approval ratings for the mayor that were reported in a poll taken in the fall.
Schaaf, who launched her campaign on March 1, is gaining ground on Mayor Quian in the latest poll. It shows the councilmember winning 19 percent of the first place votes, compared with 13 percent for Quan, though 41 percent are still undecided. Schaaf also has growing name recognition, with 69 percent of likely voters now saying they are at least familiar with her. Voter opinion on Schaaf is 28 percent favorable, 29 percent neutral and only 12 percent unfavorable.
Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan, who has not entered the race, remains the leading contender should she decide to run. When Kaplan’s name was added to the poll’s choices, 18 percent of likely voters said she was their first choice.
With Kaplan slightly out in front, Schaaf was number 2 with 16 percent, followed by Quan with 10 percent, Joe Tuman with 8 percent, Dan Siegel with 6 percent and Bryan Parker with 4 percent. Thirty-Seven percent were undecided.
The survey was taken before City Auditor Courtney Ruby entered the race last week.
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Oakland Post: Week of November 26 – December 2, 2025
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 26 – December 2, 2025
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Oakland Post: Week of November 19 – 25, 2025
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 19 – 25, 2025
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IN MEMORIAM: William ‘Bill’ Patterson, 94
Bill devoted his life to public service and education. In 1971, he became the founding director for the Peralta Community College Foundation, he also became an administrator for Oakland Parks and Recreation overseeing 23 recreation centers, the Oakland Zoo, Children’s Fairyland, Lake Merritt, and the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center.
William “Bill” Patterson, 94, of Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on October 21, 2025, at his home in Oakland, CA. He was born on May 19, 1931, to Marie Childress Patterson and William Benjamin Patterson in Little Rock, Arkansas. He graduated from Dunbar High School and traveled to Oakland, California, in 1948. William Patterson graduated from San Francisco State University, earning both graduate and undergraduate degrees. He married Euradell “Dell” Patterson in 1961. Bill lovingly took care of his wife, Dell, until she died in 2020.
Bill devoted his life to public service and education. In 1971, he became the founding director for the Peralta Community College Foundation, he also became an administrator for Oakland Parks and Recreation overseeing 23 recreation centers, the Oakland Zoo, Children’s Fairyland, Lake Merritt, and the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center.
He served on the boards of Oakland’s Urban Strategies Council, the Oakland Public Ethics Commission, and the Oakland Workforce Development Board.
He was a three-term president of the Oakland branch of the NAACP.
Bill was initiated in the Gamma Alpha chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.
In 1997 Bill was appointed to the East Bay Utility District Board of Directors. William Patterson was the first African American Board President and served the board for 27 years.
Bill’s impact reached far beyond his various important and impactful positions.
Bill mentored politicians, athletes and young people. Among those he mentored and advised are legends Joe Morgan, Bill Russell, Frank Robinson, Curt Flood, and Lionel Wilson to name a few.
He is survived by his son, William David Patterson, and one sister, Sarah Ann Strickland, and a host of other family members and friends.
A celebration of life service will take place at Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center (Calvin Simmons Theater) on November 21, 2025, at 10 AM.
His services are being livestreamed at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1250167107131991/
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Euradell and William Patterson scholarship fund TBA.
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