The race for Alameda County Board of Supervisors District 5 is heating up, with Emeryville City Councilmember John Bauters emerging as a prominent candidate alongside Oakland City Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas. Both candidates have demonstrated significant fundraising prowess, each amassing over $450,000 in their campaigns to succeed the long-serving Keith Carson. As the November election approaches, the contrasting sources of their financial support and key endorsements paint a compelling picture of the political landscape in this crucial district.
John Bauters: Building Momentum with Tech, Housing, and Public Safety Backing
John Bauters, who has served on the Emeryville City Council since 2016 and held the mayoral position from 2021 to 2023, brings a strong background in housing policy and criminal justice reform to his candidacy. His professional experience as the Arizona director for the Alliance for Safety and Justice, coupled with his advocacy for increased housing production, cycling infrastructure, and public transit in Emeryville, positions him as a candidate focused on development and safety.
Bauters’ campaign finance reports reveal a diverse donor base, with notable contributions from the tech industry, real estate sector, and public safety unions. Cryptocurrency entrepreneur Jesse Pollak, founder of Abundant Oakland, stands out as a major individual donor, contributing $40,000 to Bauters’ campaign. Executives from Y Combinator and Yelp also feature among his supporters, highlighting the tech community’s interest in his candidacy.
Alt text: Profile picture of Jesse Pollak, a tech entrepreneur and key donor for John Bauters, reflecting tech industry support in the Alameda County Supervisor election.
The real estate and housing development sectors are also significantly represented in Bauters’ financial backing. The California YIMBY Victory Fund and the California Real Estate PAC have contributed substantial amounts, aligning with Bauters’ pro-housing stance. This support underscores the importance of housing policy in the District 5 race and Bauters’ alignment with pro-development interests.
Furthermore, Bauters has garnered support from firefighter unions in Oakland and Berkeley, indicating a focus on public safety issues. His campaign has also attracted contributions from PACS supporting LGBTQ+ elected officials, reflecting his commitment to inclusivity and representation.
Interestingly, John Bauters has received financial contributions from prominent Oakland figures who have historically been political opponents of Nikki Fortunato Bas. This includes former Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and former Councilmember Loren Taylor, suggesting a strategic effort to consolidate opposition to Bas within Oakland’s political circles.
Nikki Fortunato Bas: Labor Unions and Progressive Groups Rally Behind Her
Nikki Fortunato Bas, the current Oakland City Council President representing District 2, enters the race with a strong track record in advocating for workers’ rights and social justice. Her background leading organizations focused on economic and social equity, combined with her focus on tenant protections, homelessness programs, and public safety in Oakland’s Chinatown, resonates with labor unions and progressive groups.
Bas’ campaign finance reports reflect her deep ties to the labor movement. Scores of labor unions and committees have thrown their weight behind her candidacy, including SEIU Local 1021, the California Nurses Association, and the Building and Construction Trades Council. This widespread labor support underscores Bas’ commitment to workers’ rights and social justice issues, key concerns for many voters in District 5.
Alt text: Headshot of Nikki Fortunato Bas, Oakland City Council President and candidate for Alameda County Supervisor, emphasizing her labor union endorsements and progressive support.
Progressive groups representing Asian American interests have also contributed to Bas’ campaign, recognizing her as a Filipina American leader with a strong commitment to social justice and equity. Individual donors like Quinn Delaney, founder of the Akonadi Foundation, further bolster Bas’ financial resources, highlighting the support from philanthropic and progressive circles.
Contrasting Support and Election Dynamics
The financial backing and endorsements for John Bauters and Nikki Fortunato Bas reveal distinct political alignments and priorities within Alameda County District 5. Bauters’ support from tech, real estate, and public safety groups suggests a focus on development, housing solutions, and crime reduction, appealing to voters concerned with these issues. Bas’ strong labor union and progressive group support emphasizes social justice, workers’ rights, and tenant protections, resonating with a different segment of the electorate.
The independent expenditure committee “Bauters for a Safer East Bay,” funded by law enforcement and PG&E, further underscores the public safety and business-aligned support for John Bauters. This committee’s activities, independent of Bauters’ campaign, highlight the external forces at play in the election.
As the race progresses towards the November runoff election, the candidates will need to effectively communicate their platforms and mobilize their respective bases of support. The contrasting financial and endorsement landscapes suggest a competitive and closely watched election that will shape the future direction of Alameda County District 5. Voters will ultimately decide between John Bauters’ approach, emphasizing development and public safety, and Nikki Fortunato Bas’ focus on social justice and labor rights, to determine who will succeed Keith Carson on the Board of Supervisors.
