City Government

Five Candidates Compete to Represent Council District 2

Published

12 years ago

April 25, 2014

The five candidates who are running for Oakland City Council, District 2 represent a powerful mix of experiences and strengths that reflect the talents and character of the people who live in the city.

Among those seeking the office are Dana King, a sculptor and former television news anchor with mega name recognition: Abel Guillen, a sitting member of the community college board of trustees; and Sokhom Mao, a former foster youth who grew up to become a community leader who has done the hard work in the trenches to make the Oakland Police Department more accountability to the community.

Also running are Andrew Park, a doctor of ministry and manager of UC Berkeley’s physical education program, who operates a youth-focused nonprofit organization; and Kevin Blackburn, an assistant vice president at the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco.

Dana King

District 2’s current representative is Patricia Kernighan, 64, who is retiring after nine years on the council.

Dana King moved to Oakland after leaving KPIX-TV in 2012. When she is not working on her sculptures, she teaches journalism at Dominican University in San Rafael and volunteers at the Alameda County Probation Department.

King, who lives in the San Antonio district, says her district’s top concerns are public safety and the quality of life issues that are related to it. Solutions must focus not only on hiring more police but also on more lighting, getting rid of illegal dumping, graffiti and the blight that undermines the morale of people in the community.

These are the issues that “make people unsafe in their communities, make people feel that nobody cares on about their communities,” she said.

Gentrification is a word that frightens people, especially in light of the way it is unfolding in San Francisco, she said, but people should understand that “gentrification is development.

“It’s important to embrace and help to drive it and shape it. We can get involved and try to drive that engine ourselves,” she said.

King is in favor of a collaborative approach to governing that brings people together to create solutions.

I’m looking forward to bringing people to the table who have a vested interest in this city,” she said.

Abel Guillen, 38, is in his second term as a member of the Peralta Community College Board of

Abel Guillen

Trustees. Two years ago, he ran for state Assembly, narrowly losing to Rob Bonta. In the current race, he is supported by Bonta and former Assemblyman Sandré Swanson.

The only candidate to serve in an elected position, Guillen emphasizes that he has the financial background and experience as a legislator that the Oakland City Council needs.

Like most everyone else running for office in Oakland, he considers public safety a top priority. In addition to hiring and putting more police on the street, the city should make greater efforts to hire local residents to work for OPD, he said.

“We have a great administration of justice program at Merritt College,” said Guillen, who calls the program an excellent pathway for young people who might want to go into law enforcement.

Planning for future development, the city can take steps to control gentrification, “so we don’t end up like San Francisco,” he said. “We can put policies in place to protect tenants, to make sure we have an increased housing stock so that we can accommodate growth.

Andrew Park

“We need to make sure we grow but that we include all of Oakland’s residents in that equation.”

Andrew Park has been has been part of the community since his parents emigrated from South Korea when he was four years old.

“As co-chair for my local Neigh Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) and a board member of many community-based organizations, I helped organize community projects and events that empowered youth, brought neighbors together and enhanced public safety,” he said.

“I am running for Oakland City Council because our beautiful city is full of potential—both realized and unrealized—and the people of Oakland are ready for a safer, stronger Oakland across the board,” said Park, who manages the Physical Education Program at UC-Berkeley, with a $1.8 million annual budget.

He currently run TRYBE, a community-based non-profit whose mission is to heal and improve the lives of Oakland’s urban youth and families.

Oakland native Sokhom Mao, 27, a graduate of Oakland High School, was a former foster

Sokhom Mao

youth whose life experiences taught him the impact public policy has on children and other community members.

“I’ve overcome numerous adversities and challenges which have influenced my understanding of politics and the affects government choices have on its constituents,” he said.

For the past 10 years, he has worked on policies to improve the lives of foster youth and families. He was worked for last three years with the city’s Police Review Board.

“I’ve worked tirelessly to improve police services to the City of Oakland where I helped with the hiring of civilian staff so more police officers can spend more time patrolling the streets to keep our neighborhood safe,” he said.

Kevin Blackburn. Photo from Zennie62

Kevin Blackburn is assistant vice president for Legislative & Regulatory Affairs at the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco. At present, he does not have a website, but he is interviewed on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dou6hoq1Nps

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Related Topics:City of Oakland District 2 election gentrification Oakland Oakland City Council Pat Kernighan

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Alameda County

The Marin City Flea Market Is Back

The Marin City Flea Market returns on May 23, offering arts, crafts, vintage items, and collectibles. The market aims to uplift local vendors and celebrate cultural diversity.

Published

24 hours ago

May 15, 2026

Oakland Post

Customers shopping in Marin City Flea Market. Photo courtesy of marincityflea.org.

By Godfrey Lee

After a long absence, Marin City will once again hold its flea market. The market will have its grand opening on Saturday, May 23, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the St. Andrew Presbyterian Church parking lot on 101 Donahue St. It will be held every fourth Saturday of the month

The market will be free to the public

There will be arts, crafts, vintage, collectibles, and other items on sale at the market. Interested vendors can contact info@marincityflea.org or text (415) 484-2984 for more information.

“The Marin City Flea Market’s mission is to uplift local vendors, celebrate cultural diversity, and provide an accessible community space where creativity, entrepreneurship, and connection can thrive,” says their website, marincityflea.org.

The flea market is sponsored and run by the Rotary Club of Marin City.

For more information, contact info@marincityflea.org. Or text to (415) 484-2984

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Amsterdam News

School District Extends Supt. Dr. Denise Saddler’s Contract for a Second Year

The Oakland Board of Education has extended Superintendent Denise Saddler’s contract through June 2027, promoting her from interim to permanent superintendent with a salary of $367,765.45 per year.

Published

1 day ago

May 15, 2026

Oakland Post

Supt. Dr. Denise Saddler. File photo.

By Post Staff

The Oakland Board of Education voted this week to extend Superintendent Denise Saddler’s contract for another year, from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027.

Under the new agreement, Saddler’s job title will become “superintendent”; she will no longer be called “interim.”

Along with the new title, she will receive full superintendent benefits and salary at $367,765.45 per year, according to the employment agreement.

The vote to approve the new contract passed 5-2 at Wednesday night’s board meeting.

Saddler’s original interim contract was for one year. The school board was planning to select a permanent superintendent by the fall but earlier this year decided to delay the search.

The new contract reflects the Board of Education’s “determination that continuity in executive leadership is in the best interests of the district as Oakland Unified continues implementation of its fiscal stabilization strategies, academic priorities, labor relations initiatives, and operational improvements,” the employment agreement reads.

In November, the board approved a $150,000 contract with a consulting firm to carry out that search, but Board President Jennifer Brouhard told KQED last month that the process never got off the ground.

“No work was done, no money has been paid for the work (to) the search firm for the superintendent search,” Brouhard said. “Hopefully, we’ll be resuming that in the early part of the fall.”

Dr. Saddler was born and raised in Oakland, attended local schools, and has dedicated more than 45 years of her career to serving Oakland students and families.

She began her career in 1979 as a teacher of students with disabilities. Over the years, she has served as a teacher, principal, district leader, and teachers’ union president.

While working in OUSD, she has served as principal at Chabot Elementary, area auperintendent, and executive leader for Community Engagement and Educational Transitions. She has also supported schools as a principal coach and substitute principal and taught at UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Education.

Dr. Saddler holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Mills College and master’s degrees in special education and in Staff Development and Administration.

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Activism

Mayor Barbara Lee Joins National Public Safety Leaders to Advance Proven Violence Reduction Strategies

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee attends a two-day meeting with other mayors and public safety leaders to discuss violence reduction strategies; Oakland has seen a 39% drop in homicides.

Published

1 day ago

May 15, 2026

Oakland Post

Oakland was one of four cities participating in a public safety convening. Courtesy image.

By Post Staff

Mayor Barbara Lee this week joined Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker and public safety leaders from Oakland for a two-day meeting focused on advancing cutting-edge public safety strategies, including focused deterrence and violence reduction.

The meeting brought together civic and public safety leaders from Oakland and Indianapolis to locations in Baltimore and Philadelphia to share lessons learned and identify innovative approaches to crime prevention, intervention, and enforcement.

The participating cities are widely recognized for pioneering community-centered public safety models that prioritize prevention, accountability, and sustained investment in neighborhood-based solutions

Oakland’s delegation included Department of Violence Prevention (DVP) Chief Holly Joshi, Oakland Police Department Assistant Chief Casey Johnson, and Ceasefire Director Annette Jointer.

Oakland’s participation underscores its continued leadership in advancing evidence-based violence reduction strategies and building a public safety system that integrates law enforcement with community intervention and prevention programs.

Oakland continues to see historic reductions in violence, reflecting coordinated efforts across the Department of Violence Prevention, Oakland Police Department, Ceasefire, and community-based partners, including:

Violent crime down 22%
Homicides down 39%
Lowest homicide total in nearly 60 years

These gains reflect sustained investment in focused deterrence strategies, real-time intervention, and expanded community violence interruption programs.

“Public safety is not achieved by any one agency alone—it requires coordination, trust, and a shared commitment to prevention and accountability,” said Lee. “We are proud to stand alongside cities like Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Indianapolis that are proving what works. We are seeing real progress in reducing violence in our communities, and we remain committed to building on that momentum through strategies that center prevention, intervention, and strong partnerships with residents.”

“Oakland’s progress shows what is possible when cities invest in focused deterrence and wraparound supports that reach people most at risk,” said Joshi. “Our work is grounded in building trust, responding quickly to emerging conflicts, and connecting individuals to services that interrupt cycles of violence. This convening was an opportunity to strengthen that work through shared learning with peers who are advancing similar strategies nationwide.”

Said Johnson, “Effective public safety requires a balanced approach that combines accountability with deep collaboration across agencies and communities.”

“We are seeing meaningful reductions in violent crime because of strong partnerships between law enforcement, DVP, Ceasefire, and community organizations,” said Johnson. “Engaging with peer cities allows us to refine and improve the strategies that are making Oakland safer.”