Former Oakland city council staffer, former city councilmember join mayor's race

OAKLAND, Calif. - Former staffer for ousted Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao Renia Webb and former City Councilmember Loren Taylor plan to run for the open seat. 

They are among a growing list of candidates who are throwing their hat in the ring. 

At least seven people have filed paperwork stating their intention to run for Oakland mayor, which essentially launches their fundraising campaigns over the next four months.

"I'm going to lead our city in partnership, to make sure your tax dollars actually serve you," Webb told a room full of supporters at her campaign kickoff event at Town Fare restaurant.

Webb served as the recalled mayor's chief of staff when Sheng Thao was a city councilmember. Webb currently works as an educator at Crocker Highlands Elementary School. She's also a gun safety advocate.

"My family has called Oakland home for over a hundred years, my family has served as police officers, firefighters, educators," Webb said. "It's just ingrained in who I am - to serve. And I serve with honesty, with integrity, and that's what the city needs right now."

Webb, who describes herself as a moderate, said on this day two years ago, she was approached by an FBI agent alerting her that Thao was under investigation. She resigned three weeks later, when she said she uncovered pay-to\-play schemes during Thao's campaign for mayor and after she won.  

Thao has maintained that she has done nothing illegal. 

"I know right now people are feeling a little hopeless. I really want to show them that when you have a leader that actually cares about the people, there's going to be transformative change," Webb said. 

Webb said public safety and fiscal responsibility would be her top priorities. That to-do list is shared by Taylor, who intends to make another run for mayor. 

He lost to Thao in the 2022 election by 677 votes. Taylor said he is a pragmatic progressive.

"Business as usual has not worked, it's not just about how much a mayoral candidate cares about the city, is connected to the city, they've got to be able to do the job," said Taylor. "My background and experience in City Hall, my background and experience outside of City Hall in corporate America, within community... that's what we need in City Hall."

The special election for Oakland mayor is scheduled for April 15th, 2025.

"Safety, safety is most important," resident Brenda Johnson said of what she wants her next mayor to tackle first. "I want to be able to leave my home and not be in fear."

"It seems to me that we've had a series of really awful mayors, there's no other way to put it," said resident Billy Allen. "Competence, integrity."

The official window to file paperwork to run for mayor opens December 23rd and closes January 17th, 2025. 

Thao's last day in office will be December 17th.

Current Council President Nikki Fortunado Bas will serve as interim mayor until January 6th. She was elected to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors. By that time, the council will have selected a new council president who will become interim mayor until the special election results are certified. 

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Former Oakland City Council staffer Renia Webb to run in mayoral election

Renia Webb, a former staffer for ousted Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, has filed papers with the city about her intention to run in the election to replace her.