Supervisor, District 5

Board of Supervisors, District 5

Candidate with majority vote wins seat. If no candidate reaches majority, top two candidates advance to runoff in general election.

Nikki Fortunato Bas34%
27,597 votes
John J. Bauters20.7%
16,783 votes
Ben Bartlett16.6%
13,518 votes

Updated at 7:02 PM PT on April 1, 2024
Alameda County

Why does this race matter? 

Supervisor Keith Carson’s decision to step down from his District 5 seat after eight terms has launched one of the most contested elections in the Bay Area this year — at least, in terms of the number of candidates running. Eight are vying for the seat that represents all of Berkeley, Albany, Emeryville, Piedmont and part of Oakland.

What does a county supervisor do? 

Supervisors govern county programs and departments and approve the county budget. Their largest area of spending is traditionally health care and human services. Supervisors are also responsible for local jails and elections, and they make decisions on law enforcement and housing in unincorporated areas of the county. If a supervisor candidate receives over 50% of the vote in the primary, they take office for a four-year term. Otherwise, the top two candidates face off in the November general election. 

Key Candidates

This list represents the most notable candidates running for the seat.
Ben Bartlett
Ben BartlettCity Council Member, Berkeley
Nikki Fortunato Bas
Nikki Fortunato BasCity Council President, Oakland
John Bauters
John BautersCity Council Member, Emeryville
Ken Berrick
Ken BerrickTrustee, Alameda County Board of Education
Gregory Hodge
Gregory HodgeStrategic Consultant
Chris Moore
Chris MooreRetired Business Executive

Key Supporters

This list represents notable organizations and individuals who have taken a position on the ballot measure or candidate, or who are funding campaigns in support or opposition. This list is not exhaustive, and may be updated.

For Bartlett

  • Jesse Arreguín, mayor, Berkeley
  • Elihu Harris, former Oakland mayor and state Assembly member
  • Leslie Katz, former supervisor, Alameda County
  • Ian Calderon, former state Assembly majority leader
  • Kevin Jenkins, City Council member, Oakland

For Fortunato Bas

  • Nancy Skinner, state senator
  • Sheng Thao, mayor, Oakland 
  • Liz Ortega-Toro, state Assembly member
  • Hank Levy, treasurer, Alameda County
  • Alameda Labor Council
  • AFL-CIO

For Bauters

  • Mia Bonta, state Assembly member
  • Buffy Wicks, state Assembly member
  • Scott Wiener, state senator
  • Alameda County Firefighters — Local 55
  • Housing Action Coalition

For Berrick

  • Alysse Castro, superintendent, Alameda County Office of Education
  • Libby Schaaf, former mayor, Oakland 
  • Len Edwards, retired judge
  • Will Lightbourne, former director, state Department of Health Care Services
  • Dion Aroner, former state Assembly member

For Hodge

  • Surlene Grant, former City Council member, San Leandro 
  • Arnold Perkins, former director, Alameda Public Health Department
  • Robert Phillips, CEO, West Oakland Health Center
  • Selena Wilson, executive director, East Oakland Youth Development Center
  • Rev. Lisa Rankow, founder, One Life Institute

For Moore

  • N/A
 

Positions on Key Issues
Candidate summaries are based on interviews with the candidates, questionnaires, statements made at debates and public events, and past news coverage.

What is your plan to address the state of emergency on homelessness in Alameda County?

Bartlett says his plan “involves building upon our successes in Berkeley by leading a multifaceted approach, including expanding affordable housing, increasing mental health and substance abuse services, and providing job training and employment opportunities.” He says he also supports rapid rehousing and permanent supportive housing efforts, and “investing in community-based solutions that address the root causes of homelessness. Key to this is the creation of a strong health district with finance and policy powers.”
Fortunato Bas says the county “has the resources through the health care system and housing system to have the biggest impact, and our solutions must be grounded in advancing racial equity.” She says she has “led the charge for stronger tenant protections,” including authoring and passing California’s strongest city-level COVID-19 eviction moratorium in March 2020 and co-authoring Oakland’s Fair Chance Housing ordinance.
Bauters says that during his many years working with the unhoused populations, he’s found that offering services at shelters is an effective way of “quickly connecting people to state and federal resources.” While permanency is the goal, “We need to recognize that leaving people on the streets renders their treatment plan ineffective,” he says, noting that his priority is “optimizing our current service delivery system,” especially to aid individuals with severe mental health issues.
Berrick says the county and its cities “should immediately partner to build as many shelter beds and housing units as possible,” with mental health services and other resources provided through those venues. He also says he’d push to develop supportive long-term housing sites throughout the county, as opposed to centralized transitional housing programs. “This is critical,” he adds. “Unhoused residents deserve stability in their housing.”
Hodge says, “As a 40-year resident of West Oakland, I understand the urgency of addressing the homelessness crisis in Alameda County, given its particularly acute impact on the Black residents in my community.” He says his strategy “rests on five core pillars”: prioritize prevention, rapidly increase shelter and temporary housing capacity, invest in permanent supportive housing’ address the root causes of homelessness, and foster community collaboration.
Moore says that street encampments are not safe for the people living in them, or for the community members around them. “These inhumane conditions of our unhoused are unacceptable and have become a magnet for open-air drug dealing, human trafficking, vandalism, and theft,” he says. He also wants to “get aggressive” about opening shelters throughout the county that offer 24/7 wraparound social services “to ensure our most vulnerable residents get the care they need.”

How would you help increase the amount of affordable housing in the county?

Bartlett says he would advocate for “leveraging public-private partnerships, revising zoning laws to facilitate more affordable housing developments, and utilizing public land for affordable housing projects, driving more public funding sources.” Additionally, policies that incentivize developers to include affordable units in new developments is “crucial,” he says, touting the success of such policies in Berkeley during his time on the city council.
Fortunato Bas says that while serving on the Oakland City Council, she worked to create a $14 million fund to help housing-insecure tenants purchase their homes, “making these homes permanently affordable and taking them off the speculative market.” She adds that on the board of the Association of Bay Area Governments, she is currently working on a regional bond measure to raise up to $20 billion for 80,000 affordable homes.
Bauters says that while on the Emeryville City Council, he championed a 2018 ballot measure for a $50 million affordable housing bond that leverages state funding to produce and preserve local affordable housing. “Coupled with the tenant protection and just cause eviction ordinances Emeryville adopted, we have created an environment where affordable housing production flourishes, making our community socio-economically diverse and accessible,” he says.
Berrick says the county is not the primary government body tasked with developing affordable housing in Alameda County, and that it should support cities with their housing development initiatives, while also promoting housing development in unincorporated regions. “The county should provide logistical and financial support to ensure projects [take] advantage of our ability to connect state and federal sources of funding to local developers and nonprofit organizations,” he says.
Hodge says as a homeowner in West Oakland for more than 30 years, “I understand intimately the housing crisis gripping our community, especially the Black community. This issue is not just about finding a place to live, it's about building a foundation for generational stability, wealth creation, and a sense of belonging.” His “two-stage approach” would focus on stabilization and development, “with a particular emphasis on stabilizing the well-being of the Black and brown community.”
Moore says he would advocate for a full inventory of options to be researched and brought to the Board of Supervisors for consideration. That includes continuing to increase “minimum zoning” near transit, speeding up the housing approval process, expediting approvals and financial incentives for affordable and workforce housing. He says he would also push to unlock public land for affordable housing and grow and stabilize the “construction labor force.”

How would you address what many consider another emergency in the county: fatal drug overdoses?

Bartlett says that the fatal drug overdose crisis requires a comprehensive public health approach. “This includes expanding access to treatment and recovery services, increasing the availability of overdose-reversal drugs like naloxone, and implementing harm reduction strategies,” he says. “It's also important to collaborate with health care providers, law enforcement, and community organizations to create a coordinated response to this crisis.”
Fortunato Bas says she co-authored an Oakland resolution that would allow the city to create overdose prevention programs proven to work elsewhere. She says she also supports programs the county is already pursuing, including clean-syringe services, naloxone distribution and training, fentanyl testing, and peer support programs. She adds that “Alameda County has an opportunity to expand programs and innovate solutions with the anticipated $40 million from settlement of opioid lawsuits.”
Bauters says success involves better coordination between health departments at the federal, state, county and local levels. He would also push the county to acquire and distribute more naloxone and launch a targeted outreach campaign utilizing wastewater testing to identify areas with the most prevalent fentanyl use. He also advocates for a dedicated team of wraparound service providers who can also address the needs of children and families impacted by drug overdoses.
Berrick says he wants to focus on “data-driven, compassionate solutions.” That includes community-based mobile response teams stocked with Narcan, as an alternative to police interaction. “There needs to be a significant expansion in mental health and substance-use programs and services,” he says. Community health and intervention workers should be equipped with these resources, he adds, “and the state's progress on establishing hotlines to act as supports show promise.”
Hodge says he’s witnessed the devastating impact of the overdose crisis firsthand. “We need to move beyond the outdated ‘War on Drugs’ rhetoric and embrace harm reduction as a cornerstone,” which means expanding access to naloxone, scaling up syringe-exchange programs, and investing in medication-assisted treatment, he says. “People who hope for a better future are less likely to turn to drugs. We need to invest in initiatives that create pathways out of poverty.”
Moore says that more resources need to be allocated for prevention and education about “how deadly the new street drugs are.” He adds, “We must learn from those who have [done] the hard work to rid their lives of addiction and have the real life experience,” and emphasize that without mandatory treatment “they would not be here to support and provide help to those who are currently experiencing this crisis.”

What would you do to address the county’s rising crime rates, and where do you stand on the related effort to recall District Attorney Pamela Price and hire a new Oakland police chief?

Bartlett says he would focus on the underlying issues contributing to rising crime rates rather than on individual leadership changes. That includes addressing systemic factors such as economic disparities and mental health issues, as well as “a concerted effort to bolster law enforcement response capabilities.” As for Oakland’s police chief search, Bartlett says, “The new chief should have a strong record of reducing crime while respecting civil liberties and building trust within the community.”
Fortunato Bas says, “Relitigating a recent election through a costly special election recall, while blaming the incumbent for issues that pre-date her recent tenure, is not something I support.” Rather, she says, she would champion prevention and support programs with proven track records, like Operation Ceasefire and the mobile crisis response unit. “I will focus on prevention, crisis response, community policing and addressing the root causes of poverty and violence.”
Bauters says he’s “committed to restoring safety and security to our community’s retail spaces.” He would push to provide law enforcement with advanced technologies and improve coordination with local businesses. He says the lack of “decisive action” in hiring a new police chief has disrupted law enforcement efforts and stoked public anxiety. He adds that, “Effective leadership is judicious, recognizing the need to address systemic inequities while maintaining a fact-based evaluation of each case.”
Berrick says it’s crucial to address the root problems that incite crime, including poverty and institutionalized racism. On Price, he says that although she was elected “on a groundswell of public support around a more progressive approach,” he also thinks that the “animosity” between her and her staff has weakened public trust in the district attorney’s office. “Alameda County residents have the right to a second referendum,” he says.
Hodge says that although he may not agree with some of Price's decisions, he believes she is committed to criminal justice reform and working with the community to make the county safer. “Recalling her would only disrupt progress and further politicize a critical issue,” he says. Instead, he urges voters to demand comprehensive public safety solutions and for all branches of government to collectively “build a safer Alameda County for everyone, not just through recalls.”
Moore says he supports the effort to recall Price. “I came to this very difficult decision after meeting families of victims that felt that they were suffering another crime with the DA office,” he says. He also says Oakland urgently needs a competent police chief to fill the leadership vacuum. “In particular, not having a police chief in a moment of unprecedented crime in Oakland for over a year is unacceptable.”

What do you feel should happen next with the Oakland Coliseum and the 155 acres it sits on?

Bartlett says the site “represents a significant opportunity for development.” His vision for it includes a mixed-use development that can provide affordable housing, commercial space and recreational facilities. “It's important that any development plan involves community input and provides tangible benefits to the residents of Alameda County,” he says.
Fortunato Bas says that as a transportation hub and an “opportunity zone,” the site can be a model of “equitable economic development and regional pride.” She notes that she has worked closely with the parties involved on this project and supports developing the city’s portion of the site with facilities that accommodate sports, entertainment, retail, housing and education. Doing so “would create a path for economic equity for the Black community,” she says.
Bauters says a comprehensive plan for the site should “include a commitment to dense, sustainable and affordable housing that is thoughtfully integrated into regional transportation systems.” He says there is also an opportunity for Oakland to attract an innovative company or industry “that will diversify the region’s economy while introducing green industries.” The site should also provide space for “prospective sports franchises, concerts, nightlife and cultural events that are unique to Oakland.”
Berrick says that developing a transit-oriented development around the BART and Amtrak Stations, and with airport access, “holds the potential for thousands of new units of housing and thousands of jobs.” He also supports a proposal to establish a “City Hall East” at the site, and is keen to see the county work to draw in or maintain sports teams like the Oakland Roots, Oakland Soul, or a WNBA team.
Hodge says he envisions “not the top-down impositions of the past,” but rather a Community Land Trust as “the beating heart of this ecosystem” to ensure “Black voices shape every step of the way.” He would push for the site to have ample affordable housing that “rises like beacons of hope, offering families a secure haven to build their dreams.” The site should also host new health care facilities and schools, he says.
Moore says the Coliseum should be rebuilt as “an efficient state-of-the-art facility.” Any new site development, he says, should directly benefit the residents who live there, and who for decades have been neglected. “I would be in favor of new development of affordable housing, but it also needs retail and other services that will provide the much needed jobs and revenue,” he says.

More Alameda County Results

U.S. House of Representatives, District 10

Top two candidates advance to general election.

Mark DeSaulnier (D)(incumbent)65.5%
121,265 votes
Katherine Piccinini (R)18.8%
34,883 votes
Nolan Chen (R)10.5%
19,459 votes

Race called at 5:02 PM PT on March 8, 2024
99% of votes countedAssociated Press
This percentage is an Associated Press estimate of how much of the vote in an election has been counted. It is informed by turnout in recent elections, details on votes cast in advance and – after polls close – early returns. The estimate may fluctuate as election officials report additional results and AP learns more about how many voters have cast a ballot.

U.S. House of Representatives, District 12

Top two candidates advance to general election.

Lateefah Simon (D)55.8%
85,905 votes
Jennifer Tran (D)14.9%
22,964 votes
Tony Daysog (D)11.1%
17,197 votes

Race called at 5:22 PM PT on March 15, 2024
99% of votes countedAssociated Press
This percentage is an Associated Press estimate of how much of the vote in an election has been counted. It is informed by turnout in recent elections, details on votes cast in advance and – after polls close – early returns. The estimate may fluctuate as election officials report additional results and AP learns more about how many voters have cast a ballot.

U.S. House of Representatives, District 14

Top two candidates advance to general election.

Eric Swalwell (D)(incumbent)66.7%
83,989 votes
Vin Kruttiventi (R)17.5%
22,106 votes
Alison Hayden (R)9.4%
11,928 votes

Race called at 5:51 PM PT on March 11, 2024
99% of votes countedAssociated Press
This percentage is an Associated Press estimate of how much of the vote in an election has been counted. It is informed by turnout in recent elections, details on votes cast in advance and – after polls close – early returns. The estimate may fluctuate as election officials report additional results and AP learns more about how many voters have cast a ballot.

U.S. House of Representatives, District 17

Top two candidates advance to general election.

Ro Khanna (D)(incumbent)62.9%
73,941 votes
Anita Chen (R)26.8%
31,539 votes
Ritesh Tandon (D)4.8%
5,728 votes

Race called at 5:50 PM PT on March 7, 2024
99% of votes countedAssociated Press
This percentage is an Associated Press estimate of how much of the vote in an election has been counted. It is informed by turnout in recent elections, details on votes cast in advance and – after polls close – early returns. The estimate may fluctuate as election officials report additional results and AP learns more about how many voters have cast a ballot.

State Senate, District 5

Top two candidates advance to general election.

Jim Shoemaker (R)43.6%
74,935 votes
Jerry McNerney (D)33.2%
57,040 votes
Carlos Villapudua (D)23.1%
39,648 votes
Race called at 1:07 PM PT on March 13, 2024
99% of votes countedAssociated Press
This percentage is an Associated Press estimate of how much of the vote in an election has been counted. It is informed by turnout in recent elections, details on votes cast in advance and – after polls close – early returns. The estimate may fluctuate as election officials report additional results and AP learns more about how many voters have cast a ballot.

State Senate, District 7

Top two candidates advance to general election.

Jesse Arreguín (D)32.1%
61,837 votes
Jovanka Beckles (D)17.6%
34,025 votes
Dan Kalb (D)14.9%
28,842 votes

Race called at 5:58 PM PT on March 15, 2024
98.78% of votes countedAssociated Press
This percentage is an Associated Press estimate of how much of the vote in an election has been counted. It is informed by turnout in recent elections, details on votes cast in advance and – after polls close – early returns. The estimate may fluctuate as election officials report additional results and AP learns more about how many voters have cast a ballot.

State Senate, District 9

Top two candidates advance to general election.

Tim Grayson (D)
Marisol Rubio (D)
Race called at 8:00 PM PT on March 5, 2024
Associated Press
This percentage is an Associated Press estimate of how much of the vote in an election has been counted. It is informed by turnout in recent elections, details on votes cast in advance and – after polls close – early returns. The estimate may fluctuate as election officials report additional results and AP learns more about how many voters have cast a ballot.

State Assembly, District 14

Top two candidates advance to general election.

Buffy Wicks (D)(incumbent)73.5%
78,678 votes
Margot Smith (D)17%
18,251 votes
Utkarsh Jain (R)9.4%
10,068 votes
Race called at 6:30 PM PT on March 14, 2024
99% of votes countedAssociated Press
This percentage is an Associated Press estimate of how much of the vote in an election has been counted. It is informed by turnout in recent elections, details on votes cast in advance and – after polls close – early returns. The estimate may fluctuate as election officials report additional results and AP learns more about how many voters have cast a ballot.

State Assembly, District 16

Top two candidates advance to general election.

Joseph Rubay (R)
Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D)(incumbent)
Race called at 8:00 PM PT on March 5, 2024
Associated Press
This percentage is an Associated Press estimate of how much of the vote in an election has been counted. It is informed by turnout in recent elections, details on votes cast in advance and – after polls close – early returns. The estimate may fluctuate as election officials report additional results and AP learns more about how many voters have cast a ballot.

State Assembly, District 18

Top two candidates advance to general election.

Mia Bonta (D)(incumbent)84.9%
73,040 votes
Andre Sandford (AIP)5.3%
4,575 votes
Mindy Pechenuk (R)5.1%
4,389 votes

Race called at 7:13 AM PT on May 2, 2024
99% of votes countedAssociated Press
This percentage is an Associated Press estimate of how much of the vote in an election has been counted. It is informed by turnout in recent elections, details on votes cast in advance and – after polls close – early returns. The estimate may fluctuate as election officials report additional results and AP learns more about how many voters have cast a ballot.

State Assembly, District 20

Top two candidates advance to general election.

Liz Ortega (D)(incumbent)
Race called at 8:00 PM PT on March 5, 2024
Associated Press
This percentage is an Associated Press estimate of how much of the vote in an election has been counted. It is informed by turnout in recent elections, details on votes cast in advance and – after polls close – early returns. The estimate may fluctuate as election officials report additional results and AP learns more about how many voters have cast a ballot.

State Assembly, District 24

Top two candidates advance to general election.

Alex Lee (D)(incumbent)68.3%
45,544 votes
Bob Brunton (R)22.4%
14,951 votes
Marti Souza (R)9.2%
6,148 votes
Race called at 4:23 PM PT on March 14, 2024
99% of votes countedAssociated Press
This percentage is an Associated Press estimate of how much of the vote in an election has been counted. It is informed by turnout in recent elections, details on votes cast in advance and – after polls close – early returns. The estimate may fluctuate as election officials report additional results and AP learns more about how many voters have cast a ballot.

Superior Court Judge, Office 5

Top candidate wins seat.

Terry Wiley(incumbent)100%
200,601 votes
Updated at 7:02 PM PT on April 1, 2024
Alameda County

Superior Court Judge, Office 12

Top candidate wins seat.

Mark Fickes55.2%
133,009 votes
Michael P. Johnson44.7%
107,844 votes
Updated at 7:02 PM PT on April 1, 2024
Alameda County

Board of Education, Trustee Area 2

Top candidate wins seat.

Angela Normand(incumbent)79.3%
26,637 votes
John Lewis20.6%
6,943 votes
Updated at 7:02 PM PT on April 1, 2024
Alameda County

Board of Education, Trustee Area 5

Top candidate wins seat.

Janevette Cole(incumbent)51.1%
13,338 votes
Guadalupe "Lupe" Angulo28.8%
7,521 votes
Joe Orlando Ramos19.9%
5,213 votes
Updated at 7:02 PM PT on April 1, 2024
Alameda County

Board of Education, Trustee Area 6

Top candidate wins seat.

Eileen McDonald(incumbent)67.6%
20,875 votes
John Guerrero32.3%
9,989 votes
Updated at 7:02 PM PT on April 1, 2024
Alameda County

Board of Supervisors, District 1

Candidate with majority vote wins seat. If no candidate reaches majority, top two candidates advance to runoff in general election.

David Haubert(incumbent)100%
41,038 votes
Updated at 7:02 PM PT on April 1, 2024
Alameda County

Board of Supervisors, District 2

Candidate with majority vote wins seat. If no candidate reaches majority, top two candidates advance to runoff in general election.

Elisa Márquez(incumbent)100%
31,034 votes
Updated at 7:02 PM PT on April 1, 2024
Alameda County

Board of Supervisors, District 4

Candidate with majority vote wins seat. If no candidate reaches majority, top two candidates advance to runoff in general election.

Nate Miley(incumbent)60.7%
34,607 votes
Jennifer Esteen39.2%
22,400 votes
Updated at 7:02 PM PT on April 1, 2024
Alameda County

Board of Supervisors, District 5

Candidate with majority vote wins seat. If no candidate reaches majority, top two candidates advance to runoff in general election.

Nikki Fortunato Bas34%
27,597 votes
John J. Bauters20.7%
16,783 votes
Ben Bartlett16.6%
13,518 votes

Updated at 7:02 PM PT on April 1, 2024
Alameda County

Flood Control & Water Conservation District Director, Zone 7, Full Term

Top three candidates win seat.

Catherine Brown25.6%
34,519 votes
Laurene K. Green22.5%
30,343 votes
Kathy Narum(incumbent)17.7%
23,833 votes

Updated at 7:02 PM PT on April 1, 2024
Alameda County

Oakland Auditor

Top candidate wins seat.

Michael Houston(incumbent)100%
59,227 votes
Updated at 7:02 PM PT on April 1, 2024
Alameda County

Measure A

Alameda County. Civil service. Passes with majority vote.

Yes59.4%
167,903 votes
No40.5%
114,432 votes
Updated at 7:02 PM PT on April 1, 2024
Alameda County

Measure B

Alameda County. Recall rules. Passes with majority vote.

Yes64.4%
182,200 votes
No35.5%
100,483 votes
Updated at 7:02 PM PT on April 1, 2024
Alameda County

Measure D

Oakland. Appropriations limit. Passes with majority vote.

Yes75%
59,852 votes
No24.9%
19,945 votes
Updated at 7:02 PM PT on April 1, 2024
Alameda County

Measure E

Alameda Unified School District. Parcel tax. Passes with 2/3 vote.

Yes76.1%
17,280 votes
No23.8%
5,412 votes
Updated at 7:02 PM PT on April 1, 2024
Alameda County

Measure F

Piedmont. Parcel tax. Passes with 2/3 vote.

Yes75.6%
3,673 votes
No24.3%
1,182 votes
Updated at 7:02 PM PT on April 1, 2024
Alameda County

Measure G

Albany Unified School District. Parcel tax. Passes with 2/3 vote.

Yes78.8%
4,651 votes
No21.1%
1,247 votes
Updated at 7:02 PM PT on April 1, 2024
Alameda County

Measure H

Berkeley Unified School District. Parcel tax. Passes with 2/3 vote.

Yes88.2%
29,418 votes
No11.7%
3,913 votes
Updated at 7:02 PM PT on April 1, 2024
Alameda County

Measure I

Hayward Unified School District. School bond. Passes with 55% vote.

Yes64.5%
14,151 votes
No35.4%
7,778 votes
Updated at 7:02 PM PT on April 1, 2024
Alameda County

Measure J

San Leandro Unified School District. School bond. Passes with 55% vote.

Yes63%
7,784 votes
No36.9%
4,554 votes
Updated at 7:02 PM PT on April 1, 2024
Alameda County