Oakland Rising Action Endorses Measure B, Jennifer Esteen, Nikki Fortunato Bas for Alameda County Board of Supervisors

Oakland Rising Action Endorses Measure B, Jennifer Esteen, Nikki Fortunato Bas for Alameda County Board of Supervisors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, February 5, 2024

Media Contact: Pecolia Manigo, Political Director, Oakland Rising Action | [email protected]

Oakland Rising Action (ORA), a community-led political organization focused on supporting candidates and issues that drive a progressive agenda for working-class residents, immigrants and communities of color living in the flatlands of Oakland and Alameda County, announced its March primary endorsements. On the county level, ORA supports a Yes vote on Measure B which will save millions of dollars on special recall elections and foster equitable democracy. And, in Alameda County Board of Supervisors races, ORA endorsed Jennifer Esteen for District 4 and Nikki Fortunato Bas for District 5. 

ORA states that Measure B is a positive step toward good governance of our county elections process. Approved by the majority of the Board of Supervisors to be on the ballot, Measure B is a charter amendment to improve the county’s recall procedures. The organization contends that Section 62 in the county charter, which describes how a recall is to be conducted, is unconstitutional and unfeasible to implement. Measure B would simply align Alameda County’s charter recall procedures with state election law, as in every other county charter in California.

“Recalls must not be abused by a minority of voters who disagree with progressive policies. Recall elections cost taxpayers millions of dollars, almost three times the cost of a regular election,” said Pecolia Manigo, Political Director of Oakland Rising Action. “We believe that our taxpayer dollars must be invested in community programs and services NOT special recall elections.” 

ORA believes Alameda County need representatives on the Board of Supervisors (BOS) who will tirelessly fight for policies and budgets that uplift all residents, placing emphasis on:

• Providing housing for everyone, 
• Funding alternatives to public safety,
• Expanding public health and mental health services, and
• Protecting tenants.

“The current Board is composed of Supervisors who have taken limited action to curb the eviction crisis that is pushing out working families, our most vulnerable county residents,” said Manigo. “This happens as they continue to give vast amounts of county funds to the sheriff to lock up people and criminalize Black and Brown, youth, and immigrant community members while denying funding the structures that keep us safe: healthcare, affordable housing, jobs with thriving wages, and mental health support. This election offers a big opportunity to change how our public money is distributed by the BOS.”

“Oakland Rising Action has a track record of policy and budget wins that uplift working-class, Black and Brown communities. I’m proud to have their endorsement and to partner with an organization that puts our shared values into practice,” said Nikki Fortunato Bas.

“We are thrilled to support Nikki Bas’s candidacy for BOS District 5. We fundamentally believe that Alameda County would benefit greatly from the leadership and commitment of Bas, particularly in ensuring that our county budget becomes more transparent, and increases our investment in our small businesses and workers,” said Manigo. “Most importantly, we trust Bas will prioritize equitable democracy by listening to the needs of our working class, immigrant and formerly incarcerated residents who want robust, effective county services as we recover from the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic across the county.”

“We believe we can work side-by-side with Esteen to work towards a future that serves the needs and aspirations of every member of our community and hold her accountable to the needs of the community when we lack alignment,” said Manigo. “This includes working with Esteen to advance county policies on improving healthcare, increasing job opportunities, investing in affordable housing and improving our justice system.”

“I’m honored to receive support from the powerhouse organizers at Oakland Rising Action,” said Jennifer Esteen, RN. “As a County Supervisor, I will ensure funds are shifted into community-based, prevention focused, high-quality health care and mental health services to stop the proliferation of spending on jails and failed systems. I will ensure county vacancies are filled by hiring community members who live in our county, that our unhoused neighbors receive timely services, and are provided dignified and supportive housing, so we all can thrive.”

The election primaries will take place on March 5, 2024. 

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Oakland Rising Action (ORA)’s endorsement process includes a written questionnaire and individual interviews. ORA endorses those candidates who most align with their values, vision, and emerging progressive strategy for Oakland. To ensure that alignment, the organization’s endorsement process engages a committee of activists, organizers and leaders of Oakland’s progressive left at all stages.

ORA engages in voter education and GOTV operations that encourage working-class residents, immigrants, and communities of color to think critically about voting for or against issues, policies and candidates based on the shared dreams of health, happiness, safety, and opportunity for all. Leading up to the election, ORA’s paid team of outreach workers along with volunteers will hold conversations with over thousands of immigrant, working-class, and BIPOC voters in Oakland and Alameda County’s flatlands. ORA also shares their endorsements with the community through a bilingual printed and online voter guide. Its mailed voter guide reaches low-propensity, BIPOC voter households. 

For more information about these races and ORA-endorsed candidates, please visit www.oaklandrisingaction.org

Paid for by Oakland Rising Committee sponsored by Center for Empowered Politics. 570 14th Street Suite 1 Oakland Ca, 94612 1332115

Funding details are available on the Oakland Public Ethics Commission’s website.

Not authorized by any candidate or committee controlled by a candidate