Trish Spencer
Mayor: Trish Spencer
I met Trish when she ran for re-election to the Alameda School Board. At the time, I spoke with her at length about her ideas on education and social justice, community building and political philosophy. I even watched several Alameda School Board meetings to see her in action. I was incredibly impressed. Trish, a lawyer by training, is a careful thinker. She has an analytical mind, is able to see the consequences of policies much more broadly than her colleagues, and is firmly committed to everyone in her community. In addition, she is committed to civil liberties and the environment. She is by far the most progressive candidate in this election – the incumbent Mayor has been pushing for the militarization of the Alameda Police Department -, but also the most competent one. I urge Alamedans to vote for Trish.
City Council: Jim Oddie
I have served with Jim Oddie in the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee for four years. I think Jim is intelligent, caring, personally and profoundly committed to social justice, equality and education. He is the dad of two beautiful young women and has lived in Alameda for many years. While his relationship with Assemblymember Rob Bonta is a bit problematic – he is Bonta’s Chief of Staff and will have to recuse himself from voting on some matters -, he is still the best candidate of the three running. That may not be saying much, when one of them, Stewart Chen, is an unapologetic insurance scammer and promoter of the genocidal Chinese government, but Jim Oddie would be a good choice even in a field of stellar candidates.
Though there are two open-seats in the Alameda City Council, I’d recommend that voters only vote for Jim Oddie. Both of his opponents supported the raising of the Chinese flag. A single vote for Oddie would increase his chances of being elected.
I reached out to all candidates for Alameda Mayor and City Council and invited them to meet/speak with me and/or respond to a candidate questionnaire. I only endorse candidates who are strong liberals, are committed to accountability, transparency and fact-based legislating and who are intelligent, competent and knowledgeable.
See Marga’s 2014 Voter Guide for recommendations on propositions and other local endorsements.