El Cerrito Councilmember Rochelle Pardue- Okimoto and Assemblymember Tony Thurmond 15TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT–ELECTION 2018–Assemblymember Tony Thurmond certainly has many options when it comes to handing out his endorsement in the crowded field of diverse candidates hoping to replace him in… Read More ›
2017 YEAR IN EAST BAY POLITICSIt was not too early for a number of potential East Bay candidates to announce intentions to run next year, or, at least, begin to put out feelers. A number of statewide candidates from the… Read More ›
Rebecca Kaplan is going to sweep into the AD15 race late and take it. ELECTION 2018➤I think its absolutely useless to do an analysis of the 15th Assembly District’s current large field of candidates because the person who will sworn-in… Read More ›
Berkeley Councilmember Ben Bartlett and Mayor Jesse Arreguin. PHOTO/Bartlett for Assembly 15TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICTJust a month into Berkeley Councilmember Ben Bartlett‘s campaign for the 15th Assembly District, he has gained one of its plum endorsements, Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguín. “California… Read More ›
Berkeley Councilmember Ben Bartlett 15TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICTThey’re going to need a really big table for debates next year in the 15th Assembly District. First-term Berkeley Councilmember Ben Bartlett filed an intent to run Tuesday for the seat being vacated by… Read More ›
Early candidates for state superintendent, Richmond Assemblymember Tony Thurmond and Marshall Tuck. STATE SUPERINTENDENT–BALLOT BOX–“At an education conference Thursday, the two announced candidates for state superintendent of public instruction called for more strategies to counter a teacher shortage they said… Read More ›
CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS–MONEYBALL–It may be only August, but for federal, state and county races, the time for campaigns to raise money in advance of the June Primary is now. Based on mid-year campaign finance reports through June 30, several East… Read More ›
15TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICTThe biggest political campaign in the East Bay next June is wasting little time revving up its fundraising engine. The race in the 15th Assembly District already appeared to many local politicos as a early toss-up and a… Read More ›
Rep. Ro Khanna 17TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTLt. Gov. Gavin Newsom last month famously announced support for both candidates in the hard-fought state Democratic Party chair race. But in the aftermath of the contentious campaign won by Los Angeles Democratic Party Chair… Read More ›
Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg isn’t likely to be a friend of Tony Thurmond next year. STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS When it came to funding ballot initiatives for taxing sugary drinks in Oakland and San Francisco last fall,… Read More ›
Oakland Councilmember Dan Kalb 15TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICTOakland Councilmember Dan Kalb made official what just about everyone in East Bay politics has known for months. He’s running next year for the 15th Assembly District seat. “All through my career, I have… Read More ›
Jean Quan OAKLAND As far as second or third acts go, this would be quite a stunner. Former Oakland Mayor Jean Quan is mulling a run for the open 15th Assembly District seat being vacated next year by Assemblymember Tony… Read More ›
Andy Katz’s current term on the EBMUD board ends in 2018. 15TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICTFour years ago, East Bay Municipal Utilities District board member Andy Katz thought he was ready for a move to the state house. He eventually dropped out… Read More ›
STATE ASSEMBLY Last January, when a groundswell of progressive angst coarsed through the veins of local activists hoping to secure spots as delegates to last weekend’s state convention, many in the East Bay were surprised to learn the most left-leaning… Read More ›
Richmond Councilmember Gayle McLaughlinformed an exploratory committee for state lieutenant governor. RICHMOND As a Richmond mayor and councilmember Gayle McLaughlin railed against Chevron, one of the most powerful corporations in the world, for its environmental indecency, sought to protect residents… Read More ›
Richmond Councilmember Jovanka Beckles says her campaign for the 15th Assembly District will not accept corporate donations. 15TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICTWith 15th District Assemblymember Tony Thurmond running for state superintendent next year, Richmond Councilmember Jovanka Beckles is the first to officially… Read More ›
THE WEEK OF APRIL 28-MAY 4Quite overlooked, but nonetheless breathtaking, is the Fremont City Council’s move toward district-based elections and its expansion from five to seven members. Of course, the City Council isn’t making wholesale changes on their own volition…. Read More ›
THE WEEK OF APRIL 7-13When Richmond Assemblymember Tony Thurmond officially (finally!) threw his hat into the ring for state superintendent of instruction this week, he basically informally set in motion the 2018 election cycle in the East Bay. Thurmond’s announcement… Read More ›
15th District Assemblymember Tony Thurmond is running for state superintendent in 2018. 15TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICTEast Bay Assemblymember Tony Thurmond wants to be California’s top educator. The two-term Richmond state legislator announced Monday that he is running for state superintendent of… Read More ›
FOR MANY IN THE EAST BAY, the early days of Donald Trump’s presidency have been at worst, an all-out assault on American democracy. At minimum, a excruciating daily mockery of common decency. But the reality television show most in the… Read More ›
Assemblymember Tony Thurmond may be itching for a move to higher office in 2018. 15TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICTAfter just one term representing Richmond, Berkeley and parts of Oakland in the 15th Assembly District, Tony Thurmond is showing strong interest in running for… Read More ›
ASSEMBLY DISTRICT ELECTIONS | Every odd year, California Democrats, almost entirely the insiders and party activists, choose 14 delegates per Assembly district to write and influence the party’s platform. In most years, few vote and the exercise is often an… Read More ›
Assemblymember Rob Bonta addressing the Alameda City Council last December. PHOTO/Zac Goldstein ASSEMBLY |East Bay Assemblymember Rob Bonta’s rise to the leadership of the state party continued with his appointment as assistant majority leader. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon unveiled leadership… Read More ›
Oakland Assemblymember Rob Bonta previewed legislation Monday to reform the state’s bail system and protect immigrants. ASSEMBLY | 18TH DISTRICT |The state is paying more than $4.5 million per day to jail suspects yet to be sentenced for crimes, many… Read More ›
Oakland at-large candidate Peggy Moore’s campaign is being investigated by the FPPC. OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL | AT-LARGE |ELECTION 2016 |The California Fair Political Practices Commission announced Wednesday it is launching a formal investigation into a complaint against Oakland City Council… Read More ›
152 DAYS UNTIL NOVEMBER ELECTIONTime to put the 2016 June primary to bed. Ro Khanna finally won a political campaign. That’s was the gist of a text message I received Wednesday morning. Khanna’s victory Tuesday night was by far the… Read More ›
SD09 candidate Sandre Swanson and current office holder state Sen. Loni Hancock. STATE SENATE | 9TH DISTRICT |An independent expenditure committee, whose largest donors include oil and tobacco companies, has spent more than $138,000 in the last week in support… Read More ›
State Sen. Bob Wieckowski and Asm Rob Bonta ASSEMBLY | The East Bay’s legislative odd couple–Oakland Assemblymember Rob Bonta and Fremont State Sen. Bob Wieckowski–have traveled the world together in recent years. The duo has hobnobbed twice together on the beaches… Read More ›
Assemblymember Rob Bonta gets a downgrade as new chair of public employees committee. PHOTO/Steven Tavares ASSEMBLY | 18TH DISTRICT | There are rewards and inherent risks when elected officials seek to expand their power. On Thursday, Oakland Assemblymember Rob Bonta… Read More ›
Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson ALAMEDA COUNTY | During the first half of the year, Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson received just $1,000 in campaign contributions, measly, by most standards. The easily countable list of donations included $250 from Assemblymember… Read More ›
