Watch CBS News

Oakland Mayor Quan Files Papers For Re-Election Bid

OAKLAND (CBS SF) -- Oakland Mayor Jean Quan filed papers Wednesday seeking re-election to a second four-year term, saying, "Our city is rising overall."

Surrounded by a group of supporters at a news conference on the steps of City Hall, Quan said she has developed "momentum" in improving Oakland's economy and reducing its crime rate and would like to "finish the job."

Quan, who previously served on Oakland's City Council and its school board, surprised many political observers by winning a close election in 2010. She faces a difficult task in the November election, in which 16 candidates have taken out papers to challenge her. The filing deadline is Aug. 8.

The best-known of the other candidates who are challenging Quan in the November election are City Councilmembers Rebecca Kaplan and Libby Schaaf, political science professor and former television commentator Joe Tuman, who finished fourth in the 2010 election with 12 percent of the vote, City Auditor Courtney Ruby, former Port of Oakland commissioner Bryan Parker and civil rights attorney Dan Siegel.

Quan said of her campaign, "We're pretty confident we can win because we have the best ground game" in terms of having a large group of volunteers from throughout Oakland.

Quan said, "I've learned a lot" since being elected mayor.

She said she has improved the city's finances by erasing a $58 million deficit and has brought its crime rate down "in a sustainable way" by working with police Chief Sean Whent to change the Police Department so that it complies with court-ordered reform measures and works "within the Constitution."

Among those who joined Quan today to endorse her are the Rev. J.  Alfred Smith of Allen Temple Baptist Church in East Oakland, school board member Rosie Torres and Andreas Cluver of the Alameda County Building and Construction Trades Council.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.