Oakland's Mayoral Special Election on April 15th can significantly impact how Oakland residents and visitors get around. The Mayor's ability to lead the city administration & shape city budgets and policy means they can make Oakland a place that is easier for everyone to get around in an affordable, low-carbon, safe and accessible way...or they can continue the status quo.
Tune in to learn directly from the candidates vying for your vote about their values, vision, and plans for how Oakland residents and visitors get around.
Register to get the Zoom link for the event.
Hosted by Walk Oakland Bike Oakland, Transport Oakland, Bike East Bay, East Bay Transit Riders Union, and Transbay Coalition.
Confirmed candidates in attendance: Barbara Lee, Loren Taylor, Renia Webb, and Mindy Pechenuk.
About the Candidates (bios provided by the candidates):
Congresswoman Barbara Lee has spent her career delivering real results for Oakland—securing billions in federal funding for housing, transit, and climate resilience. A longtime advocate for walkable, bikeable communities, she has championed investments in public transit, safe streets, and environmental justice. As Mayor, she will work towards expanding bike infrastructure, improving pedestrian safety, and making Oakland a more accessible and sustainable city for all.
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An engineer and a public servant, Loren has worked for years to alleviate poverty and expand opportunity through leadership positions in nonprofits, social justice organizations, and while serving on the Oakland City Council.
During his term on City Council, Loren brought a thoughtful, pragmatic approach that relied on data and evidence to find new solutions to old problems and focused on implementation and measuring results. He led efforts to address Oakland’s most difficult challenges, from public safety to homelessness to economic growth.
Loren Taylor and his wife, Dr. Erica Taylor, are proud to raise their two children, Camryn and Manny, in Oakland.
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Renia Webb, a lifelong Oakland resident and educator, has over 25 years of experience in public service, advocacy, and community leadership. Currently teaching at Crocker Highlands Elementary, she also leads violence prevention efforts and directs a foundation supporting local nonprofits. As a former Chief of Staff for Oakland's District 4 City Council, Renia is committed to building a safer, more equitable city. A proud mother of four, she draws on deep rooted family ties and a passion for service to create a brighter future for Oakland.
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I have spent the last 50 years fighting to end the drug epidemic across the country. This is a passion of mine, as I am 73 years old and saw what the drug culture did starting with my generation. Today it is worse. Adults and children dying of Fentanyl and other drugs on our streets. I have been a political organizer across the entire United States. I stand for the forgotten men and women and for a future which requires a vision.
The reason I am running to become Oakland's next Mayor is because we need to restore a healthy vibrant productive economy based on manufacturing, infrastructure and restoring classical education. Our children are our future and they deserve the best. I want to unite all Oaklanders whether they are Democrats, Republican, NPP, any other party or not yet registered to vote. With President Trump in the White House I am strongly committed to a partnership with the Federal Government to make Oakland safe and productive again.
