Candidate for
Mayor; City of Oakland

Fellow Oaklanders,

Over the past year and a half, I've talked with thousands of neighbors at 200 house parties, hundreds of community festivals and events, and at doorsteps in every neighborhood across town asking what you want to see from your next Mayor and for Oakland in the next 4 to 8 years.

Public safety, jobs and support for our youth top the list of priority issues, and you understand that these are related. We cannot have safer streets without building our local economies and supporting excellent schools and programs for our youth.

Over the past 8 years as a Councilmember, I have stabilized and revitalized the Dimond and Laurel business district neighborhoods by supporting small businesses, organizing neighbors to be active in making change on their block, developing smart growth housing, and implementing community policing where officers get out of their cars and get to know residents and merchants to build stronger communities. I believe that we can do this in every neighborhood, so that we can safely shop and thrive in our own neighborhoods.

I authored Measure Y, which has funded violence prevention programs and community policing that has helped reduce violent crime by 40% over the past 4 years, by working with the youth most in need and supporting parolees to successfully re-enter into the community. I worked with State Assemblymember Sandre Swanson to return our schools to local control and to de-criminalize sexually exploited minors and help them transition to better lives.

Oakland is hungry for a Mayor who will show up for our city, be accessible and work hard in the trenches. You want and deserve an ethical and honest Mayor who will represent our city with dignity and hold up the talent, treasures and potential of Oakland to realize our dreams for this place, where my family has called home for over 100 years.

The most important promise I will make to you is that I will be there, in both our toughest and proudest moments as a city, and you know that is not just campaign rhetoric because I have always been working right beside you in my last 20 years serving Oakland, as well as during this campaign, in the streets and not hiding away or in backrooms.

I would be honored to have your #1 vote on November 2nd. I would be honored to work with you over the next 4 years to improve the quality of life for all residents and to build a better future for our children.

Jean Quan