30 things you might not know about Berkeley’s election
How much have real estate groups poured into the election? How about firefighter unions? Which candidates is the actor Danny Glover backing?
How much have real estate groups poured into the election? How about firefighter unions? Which candidates is the actor Danny Glover backing?
Berkeleyans have donated over $5.4 million to the two presidential campaigns, 98.5% of which is to one candidate, and over half of which has come from two of the city’s zip codes.
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.
Critical information about who is paying for campaign materials is missing, the complaints state.
There is a full slate of five property owner-oriented candidates running for the Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board — and real estate interests are backing them big time.
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.
With public matching funds, Wayne Hsiung has almost as much to spend as the mayor.
Supporters have contributed $44,000 to Measure FF. It would raise property taxes to improve 911 service and help prepare Berkeley for disasters, they say. Opponents contend there are no controls on the fund.
In a new graphic nonfiction book, ‘Unrig: How to Fix Our Broken Democracy,’ Daniel Newman, founder of Maplight, says people can be the change.
Campaign finance reports show 2020 races for mayor, City Council and more are heating up. Plus, there are three school measures on the March primary ballot.
Incumbency and fundraising ability still mattered as the two sitting council members won reelection. However public financing allowed candidates to spend more time talking to constituents.
Public financing was used for the first time in Berkeley during the November 2018 election and the Fair Practices Campaign Commission is still dealing with violations from various races.
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