Exclusive: Berkeley City Councilmember Lori Droste won’t seek a third term
“I feel like I’ve served with the seriousness and integrity that the voters deserve,” Droste told Berkeleyside in an exclusive interview. “My family needs me now.”
Berkeley City Council elections
Top Stories
Berkeley school board considering move away from at-large elections
A private legal memo — inadvertently posted on a school board meeting agenda — advised the board on the legal risks of keeping its at-large election system.
Campaign finance
Independent expenditure campaigns spend big to influence rent board, District 2 city council race
By law, independent expenditure campaigns must act independently of the candidates they are backing. They can’t communicate or even coordinate with those running for office.
With 4 City Council seats up for grabs in Berkeley, here’s who’s donating
Those participating in the city’s public financing program can only get $50 from any donor, but Berkeley matches that six-to-one, or $300 per donor.
Mayoral elections
Election 2020: Mayoral candidates answer Berkeleyside questions
Meet your mayoral candidates in Berkeley’s November 2020 election.
Donors pour $125K into mayor’s race, with Jesse ArreguĂn raising about 3x more than opponents
With public matching funds, Wayne Hsiung has almost as much to spend as the mayor.
Election 2020: Who is Jesse ArreguĂn?
Meet Jesse ArreguĂn, one of four mayoral City Council candidates in Berkeley’s November 2020 election.
Election 2020: Who is Aidan Hill?
Meet Aidan Hill, one of four mayoral City Council candidates in Berkeley’s November 2020 election.
District 2
District 2 challengers joust with Davila for her West Berkeley council seat
On Election Day, West Berkeley residents in District 2 will have to decide whether they are happy with Cheryl Davila’s leadership or would prefer a new council member at the helm.
Election 2020: District 2 candidates answer Berkeleyside questions
Meet your District 2 City Council candidates in Berkeley’s November 2020 election.
Election 2020: Who is Alex Sharenko?
Meet Alex Sharenko, one of four District 2 City Council candidates in Berkeley’s November 2020 election.
Election 2020: Who is Cheryl Davila?
Meet Cheryl Davila, one of four District 2 City Council candidates in Berkeley’s November 2020 election.
Election 2020: Who is Timothy Carter?
Meet Timothy W. Carter, one of four District 2 City Council candidates in Berkeley’s November 2020 election.
District 3
4 years of experience or a fresh start: What do South Berkeley voters want?
South Berkeley voters will have to decide whether they are happy with the leadership of four-year incumbent Ben Bartlett, or whether they want something new.
Election 2020: District 3 candidates answer Berkeleyside questions
Meet your District 3 City Council candidates in Berkeley’s November 2020 election: Ben Bartlett, Deborah Matthews and Orlando Martinez.
Election 2020: Who is Ben Bartlett?
Meet Ben Bartlett, one of three District 3 City Council candidates in Berkeley’s November 2020 election.
Election 2020: Who is Orlando Martinez?
Meet Orlando Martinez, one of three District 3 City Council candidates in Berkeley’s November 2020 election.
District 5
Affordable, transit-oriented housing is key issue in District 5 race, where newcomers challenge Sophie Hahn
The three candidates align on many issues, like affordable housing and public transit, but have different methods to accomplish these goals.
Election 2020: District 5 candidates answer Berkeleyside questions
Meet your District 5 City Council candidates in Berkeley’s November 2020 election.
Election 2020: Who is Todd Andrew?
Meet Todd Andrew, one of three District 5 City Council candidates in Berkeley’s November 2020 election.
District 6
In Berkeley Hills council race, wildfires, housing and disaster response are the hot topics
Incumbent Susan Wengraf and challenger Richard Illgen both have decades of experience, but differ on the best approaches to address Berkeley’s challenges.
Election 2020: District 6 candidates answer Berkeleyside questions
Meet your District 6 City Council candidates in Berkeley’s November 2020 election: Richard Illgen and Susan Wengraf.
Election 2020: Who is Richard Illgen?
Meet Richard Illgen, one of two District 6 City Council candidates in Berkeley’s November 2020 election.
