The City of Oakland has a special election coming up on April 15, and SEIU 1021 members are showing up to support candidates and policies that will protect jobs and services. On Saturday, February 1, 1021 members came out to support the candidate we’ve endorsed for Oakland’s District 2 city council seat: Kara Murray-Badal.

In attendance to show support was City of Oakland Chapter President Antoinette Blue, a 911 dispatcher. She said, “I am proud we’re endorsing Kara Murray-Badal for Oakland’s District 2 council seat. I believe she embodies what Oakland needs: someone who is grassroots to the core and passionate about serving the Oakland community. Oakland is going through a very tumultuous time and needs someone to represent the community who understands labor’s role in providing essential services to that community. Kara is going to bring fresh perspectives and is a proven leader, which are qualities my union siblings and I can get behind.” 

Another member who came out to help elect Kara Murray-Badal was B-Rod Beteta, who works for the Regional Center of the East Bay as an intake coordinator. They said, “I’m out here today because housing is a huge issue in D2 and everywhere in Oakland. As members and as a union, housing should be a main focus for us, and looking at the candidates for this special election, Kara Murray-Badal is the candidate who will be best for housing.”

If you want to get involved, you can visit Kara Murray-Badal’s website here.

Other major priorities for working people in Oakland in the special election are electing Barbara Lee for mayor and passing a half-cent sales tax to fund services for Oaklanders and protect good city jobs. Stay tuned for updates!