Big changes coming to Oakland City Council —three seats open, two others up for reelection

Three Oakland council members are giving up their seats, paving the way for new leaders to join the City Council. 

Council Members Dan Kalb and Treva Reid, and Vice Mayor Rebecca Kaplan are not running for reelection in November. Their exits have created an opportunity for three new members to join the eight-member council, putting the newcomers in a pivotal position for what is shaping up to be a tough budget season. 

“Three new members, replacing long-standing and experienced council members will create a learning curve, giving the current council members a great deal of influence,” said Jim Ross, an Oakland political consultant. 

One of their first acts could be to select an interim mayor, Ross noted, given that Mayor Sheng Thao is facing a recall. 

“This means council members must learn their roles, build coalitions, and act quickly to adjust to their new roles,” Ross said.   

If the mayor is recalled, the council president would fill that role  temporarily, in accordance with the city charter. But President Nikki Fortunato Bas may not be on the council in January, because she is running for a seat on the Alameda County Board of Supervisors. 

In addition to Kalb, Kaplan and Reid, two other council members’ terms are up — Carroll Fife in District 3 and Noel Gallo in District 5. Fife and Gallo are seeking reelection, and both face multiple challengers. With five council races and the potential loss of the council president, Oakland could lose as few as three or as many as six current council members in the November election, as well as its mayor. 

Ahead of the election, Kalb, Kaplan, and Reid are working to wrap up a number of initiatives. Here’s what they are hoping to get done before leaving office at the end of the year:

Dan Kalb, District 1

Kalb, who represents North Oakland, was elected in 2012 and is on committees focusing on public works, transportation and education.  He also chairs the Economic Development Committee. 

“I could slide by the last several months, or I can choose to go out with a bang.  I’m choosing to go out doing some new, big things,” Kalb said.

He’s pursuing pieces of legislation that could impact how the city builds housing and could ban smoking in multifamily buildings. 

Inspired by Berkeley’s gas ban in new buildings, Kalb said he plans to introduce a version of the legislation that wouldn’t ban gas in all new construction, but would promote more energy efficient and environmentally safe construction.

Kalb said he is also working on a policy to revoke the ability of property owners to raise rent if they are delinquent on their annual business license tax.  And he is pursuing a resolution requiring the Port of Oakland to consult with the city administrator’s office before doing any environmental work. 

“If the port is going to be working on environmental matters, they should contact the City of Oakland staff with expertise on the matter,” Kalb said. “I’m hoping to create a more formalized dialog and input by the city staff when the port is looking to do something environmental.”

After his term ends, he plans to focus on climate change and other environmental issues at the state level.  He ran unsuccessfully for state Senate during the primary election. 

Kalb has endorsed Zach Unger, a firefighter, for the District 1 seat. Edward Frank, a business owner, and Len Raphael, an accountant, are also running for the seat.

Rebecca Kaplan, At large

Kaplan was elected by the city at large in 2008 and is on the city’s finance committee. She is also on the Alameda County Transportation Commission and chairs the Oakland Coliseum Authority, a government agency that oversees the site. 

Kaplan touted her efforts to bring development to the Coliseum, a 122-acre stadium complex that used to be home to the Raiders football team and A’s baseball team. Both teams have since left. Kaplan said she was instrumental in helping the Oakland Roots soccer team secure a contract to play at the site in 2025.  The city sold its stake in the Coliseum in July, signing an agreement of sale for $105 million with African American Sports and Entertainment Group, which will redevelop the complex. 

Kaplan successfully collaborated with the state to select Oakland as a hydrogen hub for the Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems, a public-private initiative to accelerate renewable hydrogen projects in California. 

“In terms of large and important goals that have been a substantial part of my career, two major ones are: expanding transit-oriented development and launching major green energy programs in Oakland,” Kaplan said. “In both of these areas, we have had major and successful progress. Continued expansion is important.”

Kaplan did not respond to questions regarding her future plans.

Ten people are vying for her seat, including a former police chief, a business owner, a civil rights adviser, a pastor and a hair loss restoration specialist. Kaplan has endorsed Rowena Brown, a state legislative director, for the seat. 

Treva Reid, District 7

Reid, who represents parts of East Oakland, was elected in 2020 and is on the city’s public works, public safety and transportation committees.

Reid said she’s working on legislation to amend the Police Department’s chase policy. In September, the Police Commission denied the council’s proposal — put forth by Reid and Councilmember Kevin Jenkins — to loosen OPD’s chase policy, which is limited mostly to armed suspected.

Reid is trying to address RV parking on narrow streets, encampments prevent safe paths for students. She is working with the Transportation Department and departments that work with the unhoused community to determine solutions.

One of her proudest accomplishments, Reid said, was her resolution supporting a statewide Ebony Alert to locate missing Black children and young women. It addresses the lack of attention given to missing Black youth and women under the age of 25.

Reid said she’s unsure what she’ll do next, but she hopes to continue serving the community.  

“As I think and look back on our family, our family’s call to action and civic engagement and with whatever role that I have next, I hope that it allows me to deliver more,” Reid said.

Four candidates — a small business owner, a nonprofit executive director, an executive director and a chief of staff — are running for to fill her seat. Reid did not endorse any candidates.

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