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Oakland City Councilwoman Rebecca Kaplan emphasized creating jobs and revitalizing the economy Wednesday as she formally announced she’s running for mayor in the November election.
Kaplan, who said in late April that she had formed a committee to explore the possibility of running for mayor, joins City Councilwoman Jean Quan and former state Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata in running for the city’s top job.
Mayor Ron Dellums hasn’t yet announced whether he will seek re-election. His office didn’t return phone calls seeking comment Wednesday.
While making her announcement to about 30 supporters at an art gallery in downtown Oakland, Kaplan said, “I want to make more jobs available for Oakland residents and make this a city where people can work and play without fear.”
She said she wants to streamline the process for getting city permits, and she wants make city government more “responsive, effective and efficient.”
Noting that Oakland has budget difficulties and a high crime rate, Kaplan said, “I want to provide for fiscal sanity and public safety at the same time and make it possible for everyone in the community to thrive.”
Kaplan said she wants to encourage companies that do business in Oakland to give priority to hiring Oakland residents, which she doesn’t think would discourage companies from coming to the city.
“East Palo Alto implemented a strong local hire program, and it didn’t impede new businesses,” Kaplan said.
Kaplan, 39, was elected to the at-large city council seat in 2008 with 62 percent of the vote. She previously served on AC Transit’s Board of Directors for six years.
According to a statement issued by her campaign, Kaplan is the first openly lesbian elected official in Oakland.
“Of all the cities in California, Oakland has the highest per capita number of artists, lesbians and churches, and that’s a beautiful thing,” Kaplan said.
The filing period for mayoral candidates begins July 12 and ends
Aug. 6. If, however, Dellums decides not to run again, the filing period will be extended until Aug. 11.
I know next to nothing about Quan or Kaplan, except for what they may say about themselves. Kaplan does not look like a “Winner!”, and, Lord knows, Oakland could use a WINNER for a change!!!
Dellums has been a loser all the way, as was his predecesor, and Perata is just another career politician, looking for a job, and another fat retirement check!!! He is NOT an honest man, and were I a voter in Oakland, I would never vote for him. The biggest con job he ever pulled was the pay-out to Al Davis, and that has been nothing but a LOSS, and a BIG mistake. They should have stayed in LA!!
Only twelve more days for a real WINNER to show up for this (probably thankless) job………………
To “Chaz” – what “fat retirement check” of Perata’s are you referring to? Surely not the one he won’t get from the California legislature. Or are you, as such a VERY informed citizen not aware that legislative electeds get no pension? That you wish Oakland stuck with someone WITHOUT political experience shows your naivete & lack of any brains. We desperately need someone with PLENTY of experience. Of course you also judge Perata’s entire career on one bad move with the Raiders – it’s not his fault Al Davis is totally insane. I work in transportation and know more than a little about legislation he wrote to help in that sector, and as a mother of a disable daughter I know what he did for the poor and disabled when that bronzed hasbeen actor in the Governor’s office tried to rip funding out for the most basic services for those who simply have no recourse but to rely on the government to survive. I’m so glad you live in pleasant little Pleasanton where a Rhesus monkey could be elected and it wouldn’t matter because you have no problems there. Keep you biased uninformed opionions to yourself, Oakland doesn’t need you causing more problems.
If Oakland residents are serious about seeing positive change in their city, they should not even consider voting for any Democrat.
Only conservatism can save Oakland…and all of California and America for that matter.
Rebecca Kaplan is a truly fine candidate for the Mayor’s seat in the City of Oakland. She knows the issues, and the people. She would take this City through some earnest, positive changes in the coming years, if the people support her. I’m so glad she’s in this race!