Former Emeryville mayor scores big endorsements, donations in race to fill Alameda County supervisor seat

Endorsements and donations have started to flow in the race to fill Keith Carson’s 5th district seat on the Alameda County Board of Supervisors. And although there is no current polling in the nine-candidate field, former Emeryville mayor John Bauters appears to be off to a hot start.

In the weeks since Carson’s surprise retirement, Bauters campaign has reported raising over $100,000, and has earned the backing of dozens of local elected officials in the East Bay. That broad support includes the mayors of Albany, Alameda, Hayward, Livermore, Piedmont, Pleasanton, and Dublin, as well as more than half of Berkeley’s city council.

In addition to local support, Bauters has received endorsements from statewide representatives, such as State Senator Scott Weiner and Assemblymembers Buffy Wicks and Mia Bonta.

Bauter’s was elected to the Emeryville City Council in 2016, and has built a reputation as an advocate for public transportation and affordable housing. He serves on the Alameda County Transportation Commission and is known as a bicycle enthusiast.

The Housing Action Coalition, a local affordable-housing nonprofit, has also thrown its support behind Bauter’s candidacy, and on Tuesday, the Alameda County Firefighters Local 55 chapter announced their endorsement.

“With years of partnership together, we are confident that the future of public safety in Alameda County is best served with John as county supervisor,” the group wrote in a statement.

The endorsements are a promising sign for Bauters, who aims to win a seat that hasn’t been without an incumbent in 30 years. After a three decade stint in the position, Supervisor Carson decided not to run for re-election at the last possible moment due to a series of personal and professional challenges. Carson has yet to announce support for a candidate.

Meanwhile, Oakland City Council president Nikki Bas–widely considered a strong candidate–has been endorsed by State Senator Nancy Skinner, who some county observers thought would be the favorite if she had chosen to run for Carson’s seat. Bas has also garnered support from Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. None of the candidates besides Bauters have disclosed their current fundraising numbers.

Without polling, endorsements only tell part of the story. But, in a statement, Bauters expressed confidence that the public support was the first step to winning the race.

“I’m honored and grateful for the support from so many friends and neighbors who believe in our campaign,” said Bauters in a statement. “We are going to build the coalition we need, not only to win this seat, but to build more affordable housing, invest in transportation and infrastructure, create good-paying union jobs, protect our environment, and create safer communities. Because Alameda County deserves nothing less.”