A typically under-the-radar political committee became the site of a hotly contested election this year, with three distinct slates of candidates—28 people total—vying for control over the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee in Assembly District 18.
But so far, no single slate is prevailing in its attempt to gain a majority and set the tone of the local Democratic Party over the next four years. Instead, the candidates currently in the lead for the 10 open seats represent a nearly even mix of the three groups.
The central committee is like the board of directors for the Alameda County Democratic Party. Five different sections of the county, divided by State Assembly district, elect members to serve on the committee. Assembly District 18, which includes most of Oakland, along with Emeryville and Alameda, claims 10 of the 33 seats.
These contests are considered to fall “down-ballot,” often overshadowed by the party’s more prominent races—say, for president of the U.S.—and by local nonpartisan elections for government positions like county supervisor.
On the campaign trail, “so, so many people said to me, ‘Well, what is the central committee?’” said Rowena Brown, a staffer for Assemblymember Mia Bonta and one of the 10 candidates who currently have enough votes to get on the committee. (The county registrar’s office is still counting votes and results could change in the days ahead.)
Even though many voters have never heard of it, the Democratic Party central committee wields significant influence. It’s responsible for placing the Democratic Party’s official endorsement on candidates and ballot measures, contributing financially to campaigns, and taking stances on local issues.
“So it’s important that those who are serving on the committee are in tune with the values of the community that they represent,” Brown said.
Three candidates have so far received significantly more votes than the others: former Oakland City Councilmember Loren Taylor, along with incumbents District Attorney Pamela Price and disability rights advocate Austin Tam. The margins between the next many candidates are fairly slim, so the slots could shift as more results are released.
Three alliances made bids for control
One of the three groups that assembled for the race this March was the People Powered Progressive slate, which in 2020 claimed five of the 10 seats in AD18 in a successful push to move the committee to the left. Price was its most prominent member, and the slate campaigned this year on a lengthy social justice platform and on never supporting candidates who accept corporate support. The People powered Progressives also ran candidates in the other central committee districts this year. Three candidates from the slate are currently among the top 10 vote-getters in Assembly District 18.
Taylor anchored the new Empower Slate, campaigning to “restore faith” and “credibility” in local government. The group emphasized its candidates’ roots in Oakland. Four Empower candidates are above the threshold so far to win seats on the committee.
The final slate was Unified Voices for Democracy. This group’s candidates, many of whom are involved in local civic and advocacy organizations, received the endorsement of Assemblymember Mia Bonta and other officials. The group appears to have earned three slots on the central committee.
While thousands of ballots are left to count, it’s safe to say no single slate can claim a sweep.
“Being just one of 49 people is not the goal,” Taylor told The Oaklandside shortly after the election, referring to the entire central committee. “You want to make sure you’ve got alliances you can work with.”
Taylor said he ran for the committee because it “has significant influence.” He believes its endorsement of Sheng Thao for mayor moved the needle in the 2022 election where he came in second to her by a small margin. That influence comes not only from the committee’s authority, but also its resources, he said, pointing out that the citywide mailers it can send out are often too costly for individual candidates.
Ceasefire resolution brought attention to committee
In recent years, the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee members have used their platform to publicly condemn local politicians and influential figures who have made anti-LGBTQ votes and statements. Their targets have included officials in Hayward and Fremont and Oakland activist Seneca Scott.
In November, another resolution passed by the committee received a polarized reaction. The resolution called for a ceasefire in Gaza, along with humanitarian aid, the release of hostages held by both Hamas and Israel, an end to the U.S.’s military support of Israel, and lasting peace. It accused Israel of committing acts of genocide and ethnic cleansing. Tam was one of the authors.
Chaney Turner, a candidate who ran unsuccessfully on the People Powered Progressive slate this year, called the resolution the “bare minimum,” saying the backlash it faced prompted them to run for the committee in March.
“I believe that people are threatened as they see progressive people building power,” said Turner, an Oakland cannabis commissioner.
Taylor said he thought the statement “fell short of acknowledging the atrocities on all sides,” while Brown, who ran on the Unified Voices for Democracy slate, said she believes the issue falls outside the “purview” of the committee, a non-legislative body with no direct power over foreign policy.
More money, negative ads
The recent events on the central committee have all unfolded during a high-pitch moment in Oakland politics, where recalls of two top officials—Mayor Sheng Thao and District Attorney Pamela Price—are being pursued and concerns over public safety in the city have made international headlines. The candidates and their respective slates jumped at a chance to influence the direction of politics in Oakland and beyond. And the race received more attention—and money—than it typically does.
Taylor alone raised over $53,000 for his run.
An East Bay Insiders supercut video of a chaotic December committee meeting, where a decision over donating $10,000 to oppose the recall of Price turned into a yelling match, made the rounds before the election. Some candidates held up the meeting as evidence of dysfunction on the committee and a need for turnover.
Then the campaign turned negative right at the end, with Fruitvale real estate broker Mario Juarez texting ads that distorted the faces of candidates on the Empower slate and accusing them of outlandish crimes.
“It’s ridiculous that he consistently does these really unfounded attacks the weekend before an election and there’s really no consequences for the lies, the racist tropes, and the caricatures,” Taylor told The Oaklandside.
Ads, slates, accusations, videos, money—did it ultimately make a difference?
If the goal of the candidates and their respective alliances was to shape the identity of the local Democratic Party, the outcomes of the election—so far, at least—suggests it may remain fractured for now.
