City Government

New Poll of Voters Shows Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan Leading in Mayor’s Race

Mayor Libby Schaaf rated unfavorably by 54% of voters, while only 37% were favorable

Published

3 years ago

October 29, 2021

Isabelle Price

Stock image of a yellow polling places sign

A new professionally conducted poll of local voters indicates that more than a year before the November 2022 election, Oakland residents are deeply unhappy with the direction their city is going. Many voters are already backing City Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan, who significantly leads in a field of 10 potential mayoral candidates, the only one with double-digit first-place votes.

Kaplan received 14% of first place votes and adding in those who gave her their second-choice votes, 20% of the voters want Kaplan as mayor, according to the poll conducted on October 16-18.

Councilmember Loren Taylor came in second in the poll with 9% of first-choice votes and 2% of second-choice votes – for a total of 11% of the vote.

Former City Councilmember Ignacio De La Fuente came in third with 7% of first- and second-place votes, while Councilmember Sheng Thao came in fourth, with a total of 6% of first- and second-place votes.

None of the other candidates reached more than 4% of total first- and second-choice votes, including Councilmember Treva Reid, Port Commissioner Ces Butner, small business owner Derreck Johnson, youth development consultant Greg Hodge, community advocate Ken Houston and Oakland developer Phil Tagami.

“This is a base line poll, and most voters are undecided, (but) they have strong thoughts about homelessness, crime, housing affordability and what to do about crime. They also had strong thoughts about the mayor,” said Gregory McConnell, president and CEO of the Jobs and Housing Coalition, which commissioned the poll and released the results to the media.

The poll was conducted by David Binder Research, with a sample size of 400, with a +/- 4.9% margin of error.

While most voters (62%) are undecided about who they will vote for so far from Election Day, they do have strong feelings about the major issues facing the city and have negative opinions about the leadership of outgoing Mayor Schaaf, who is in her second term and cannot run again.

Of all the issues facing the city and its residents, three stood out by far: Homelessness/panhandling with 49%; Crime/Public Safety with 47% and Affordable Housing/Cost of Rents with 23% voters. Illegal/dumping/Trash in streets came in fourth with 9%.

Nineteen other issues, including jobs, police brutality, gentrification, and government corruption, were chosen as a “major issue” by single digit percentages of voters.

Voters were unenthusiastic about the Schaaf’s job performance. Giving her a favorable rating were 37% of voters, while 54% gave her an unfavorable rating. Further, in a direct question – “Overall, do you approve or disapprove of the job Libby Schaaf is doing as mayor?” – nearly 60% of voters disapproved or strongly disapproved of her performance.

The unfavorable rating for the Oakland City Council is also high.

Asked if they would vote to re-elect Schaaf if she could legally run again, only 25% said they would reelect her, while 58% said they would “replace” her.

Further, in a question about whether voters would be more likely to vote for or against a candidate endorsed by Schaaf, 26% they would be more likely to vote for a candidate endorsed by her and 35% would be “less likely” or “much less likely” to support that candidate.

By comparison, Kaplan’s favorability rating was 41% favorable and 35% unfavorable.

Another question posed a list of priorities that the next mayor might embrace, and voters were asked to indicate whether championing these issues would make the voters more likely or less likely to vote for that candidate.

Reducing homelessness received the highest rating with 93% saying more likely, while 82% said they would more likely support a candidate who makes housing more affordable, and 59% they want a mayor who protects industrial jobs.

The demographics of the people polled were: 11% Latino, 35% white, 34% Black and 11% Asian. Ages were; 24% under 35; 20% ranging from 35-44; 16% ranging from 45-54; 16% in the 55-64 range; and 25% over 65.

The Oakland Post’s coverage of local news in Alameda County is supported by the Ethnic Media Sustainability Initiative, a program created by California Black Media and Ethnic Media Services to support community newspapers across California.

Isabelle Price

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City of Oakland Celebrates Reopening of Main Library

“Libraries are such critical facilities for all Oaklanders, whether it’s children coming to story-time, adults reading the newspapers or borrowing the latest novels, and people engaging with a range of services and programs that the library hosts,” said Council President and District 2 Councilmember Nikki Fortunato Bas. “Such library services and programs are only possible when the facility’s electricity, heating, roof, and lighting are fixed and running efficiently. I’m proud to join this re-opening of our Main Public Library.”

Published

9 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Left to Right- Jamie Turbak, Director of Library Services, LaTonda Simmons, Assistant City Administrator, Nikki Bas, President Oakland City Council, Shen Thao, Mayor of Oakland, Carroll Fife, Oakland City Councilmember District 3, Harold Duffey, Assistant City Administrator, Sean Maher, Projects Coordinator. Photo by Kevin Hicks.

The branch had been closed since May for critical infrastructure upgrades

Special to the Post

The City of Oakland leadership and community partners gathered to celebrate the reopening of the Main Library after completion of critical infrastructure upgrades to enhance the library’s facilities and provide a better experience for patrons.

Renovations include new roof installation, skylight repair, critical electrical system upgrades, new boiler control system installation, auditorium heating and cooling system installation, and improvements to lighting, flooring and ceilings throughout the building.

“This is truly something to celebrate, the reopening of our wonderful Main Library! I congratulate the staff and our partners for this important project to make the Main Library a more comfortable place for everyone for years to come, said Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. “Thank you to Oakland voters and the California State Library for making these crucial improvements possible.”

“Public libraries are a wonderful resource for our residents, offering a safe space for learning and being,” said District 3 Councilmember Carroll Fife. “It is critical to improve and modernize our libraries so more members of our community can utilize and enjoy them. I’m excited that the necessary renovations to the Main Library have been completed successfully and thank everyone involved, particularly the City team, who helped secured the necessary grant funds for this work.”

“I am proud of the City staff and project partners who kept this important project on schedule and under budget,” said Assistant City Administrator G. Harold Duffey. “The library is an incredibly important resource for our community members, and this project is an investment into the library’s future.”

“December 2nd was a momentous occasion for Oakland Public Library as we proudly reopened the doors of the Main Library following extensive infrastructure repairs,” said Director of Library Services Jamie Turbak. “Closing the Main Library for six months was no easy decision, as it serves as the central hub for our library system and is truly the heart of Oakland. Yet, this renovation was essential, representing more than just physical upgrades—it reflects our ongoing commitment to creating a safe, welcoming space for everyone.”

The City Administrator Jestin Johnson also attended the press conference and signalled his support for the completion of the record-setting completion of the renovations. Gay Plair Cobb, a newly appointed Library Commissioner said the Library represents the soul and brains of our community.

The Oakland Public Library secured funding for these crititcal repairs through a variety of sources. The California State Library’s Building Forward Library Facilities Improvement Program awarded the Main Branch $4.2 million. To comply with the grant terms, the City of Oakland provided matching funds through Measures KK, as approved by the Oakland City Council in October 2023.

The Main Library will host an Open House to celebrate the reopening on February 22, 2025, 10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

About the Oakland Public Library

The Oakland Public Library is a part of the City of Oakland in California and has been in existence since 1878. Locations include 16 neighborhood branches, a Main Library, a Second Start Adult Literacy Program, the Oakland Tool Lending Library, and the African American Museum and Library at Oakland (AAMLO). The Oakland Public Library empowers all people to explore, connect, and grow. Oaklandlibrary.org

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BWOPA Honors Black Leadership and Legacy at 2024 Ella Hill Hutch Awards Dinner

On Dec. 5, BWOPA held its Annual Ella Hill Hutch Awards Ceremony, at the Fairmont Claremont Hotel in the Oakland/Berkeley Hills. At the event, the group comprised of Black women from various professional backgrounds, honored distinguished local and state leaders whose contributions have shaped civic engagement and advanced critical social issues impacting Black communities.

Published

11 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

L-R: BWOPA State Executive Director LaNiece Jones; State Asm. Mia Bonta; BWOPA 2024 Man of The Year/Urban League SFBA CEO Ken Maxey; BWOPA State President Hon. Dezie Woods-Jones; State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas; Rowena Brown, Oakland Councilmember At-Large, Elect; BWOPA State Regional Director Vashone Huff. Courtesy photo.

By Oakland Post Staff

Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) is a statewide non-profit advocacy and membership organization committed to solving problems affecting Black Californians.

On Dec. 5, BWOPA held its Annual Ella Hill Hutch Awards Ceremony, at the Fairmont Claremont Hotel in the Oakland/Berkeley Hills.

At the event, the group comprised of Black women from various professional backgrounds, honored distinguished local and state leaders whose contributions have shaped civic engagement and advanced critical social issues impacting Black communities.

The evening was hosted by Dr. Shawna Charles, founder of The Charles Communications Group (CCG) headquartered in Los Angeles. Charles served as mistress of ceremonies.

With a track record of elevating voices and empowering communities, Charles’ leadership and insight brought a certain dynamism to the celebration.

“Each year, this event not only celebrates the enduring legacy of our beloved BWOPA founding member, Ella Hill Hutch, but also reaffirms and amplifies our unwavering commitment to building and sustaining Black political power across California,” said Dezie Woods-Jones, BWOPA founding member and State president.

“Ella Hill Hutch’s trailblazing leadership continues to inspire us as we forge ahead, empowering Black women to lead, advocate, and shape a more equitable future for all,” added Woods-Jones.

This year’s event introduced the DWJ Rising Star Award, honoring young leaders like Solano County Board Supervisors-elect Cassandra James, Danielle Motley-Lewis, Naomi Waters and newly elected State Assemblymember elect Rhodesia Ransom (D-Stockton).

According to organizers, the awardees all exemplify “the next generation of changemakers.”

Other awardees included:

Lifetime Achievement Awardees: Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) and Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson
Man of the Year: Kenneth Maxey, CEO of the Greater SF Bay Area Urban League
President’s Corporate Award: Yvette Radford, Kaiser Permanente
In the Spirit of Ella State and Chapter Awards: Dr. Carolyn Greene, Dr. Marcella K. Smith, Dr. Carolyn Drake, Tinisch Hollins, Jackie Jones, Gloria Burgess Johnson, Tamika L’Ecluse, Ellen Nash, Betty Reid Soskin, and Ay’Anna Moody.

BWOPA also celebrated local champions across its chapters, including leaders in voter education, healthcare, criminal justice reform, and community advocacy.

In a statement, BWOPA said, “Honoring Ella Hill Hutch’s legacy, BWOPA recognizes her pioneering efforts as the first Black woman elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Her tireless work amplifying underrepresented voices continues to inspire BWOPA’s mission to build Black political power across California.”

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to our members, partners and allies who believe in BWOPA’s vision to invest in building power for Black women’s leadership,” said LaNiece Jones, BWOPA State executive director. “Your support ensures that Black women have a voice at decision-making tables locally, regionally, statewide, and nationally, advancing diversity and equity in leadership spaces.”