Blog entry by Pamela Drake.
Last updated at Wed, 25 Aug at 2:32pm.

If you can spare a couple of hours on a wintry evening in spring, why not go have a “conversation” with Don Perata who’s running for mayor in November? That’s what I did last week.

Blog entry by Rena Ragimova.
Last updated at Wed, 25 Aug at 2:32pm.

(Editor’s Note: The deadline to declare candidacy for Oakland’s next Mayor hasn't even passed, but just like Christmas decorations in October, the campaigns are already off to a running start.) 

Article by Susan Mernit.
Last updated at Wed, 25 Aug at 2:31pm.

Asked why she decided to start the process of moving toward a mayoral candidacy at this moment, Rebecca Kaplan has some explanations right at hand.

"Over the next few years, we are going to have incredible challenges in Oakland, particularly around the financial crisis, but at the same time there is a great opportunity to fix the functioning of City Hall," she says. "It seemed clear that we are going to not only have incredible challenges over the next few years, particularly around the financial crisis, but that we have a window of opportunity to fix city government--much of the city workforce will be retiring and we have a chance to reformulate how we align people and their jobs with the realities of the future."

Blog entry by Ryan Van Lenning.
Last updated at Wed, 25 Aug at 1:49pm.

You ever wonder what exactly marks the beginning of a political race?  Is it when Oakland's candidates for mayor begin raising and asking for large amounts of cash? Is it when the filing deadline arrives (August)? Is it when local media starts to talk about dollar amounts raised and the editorializing and framing begins?

Article by Oakland Local edi....
Last updated at Sat, 17 Jul at 9:08am.

A group of concerned community organizations have banded together to invite Oakland’s 2010 mayoral candidates to a forum to discuss their views, perspectives and remedies – specifically in regards to issues related to public safety in this time of financial crisis.