Campaign headquarters was at Everett & Jones barbeque on Broadway in Oakland. The party was set and ready to go at 8 p.m. Green and purple balloon clusters and “Rebecca Kaplan for Mayor” signs decorated the room. There was a diverse crowd of people – hipsters, young people, old people, African Americans, Caucasians, Asians, professionals, and average voters.
The supporters enjoyed great food, ribs, links, baked beans, green salad, potato salad and also drinks from the bar while the DJ kept the records spinning.
I had a chance to meet D’wayne Wiggins from the music group Tony Toni Tone, a band that started in Oakland. He stated that he was a Kaplan supporter and felt positive about her being elected. He also stated he had produced an ad in support of her campaign.
At about 9:30 p.m., Kaplan entered the room and she was greeted with lots of cheers from her supporters, her wife, and her parents. Kaplan’s campaign manager, Jason Overman, took the microphone first. He welcomed and congratulated Kaplan on her efforts. ” I want to give a huge personal thank you to everyone who volunteered, who endorsed our campaign, who donated money so our volunteers could have nutrition while they made phone calls,” Overman said. “Thanks to everyone who’s written a Facebook status to spread the word about our campaign, to those who starred in our television ads. Thank you to every single one of you.”
Next Rebecca Kaplan took the microphone. “From Lower Bottoms to Upper Rockridge, from San Pablo to Seminary, every person in Oakland deserves a safe, healthy and vital future.,” she said. “So tonight the voting is over, the vote counting is not yet over, but more importantly, the work to build a stronger future for Oakland needs to be uplifted and continued in every form. I am incredibly honored to have this opportunity with all of you tonight because we build beautiful things together.”
She went on for a little bit about ensuring housing for all, repairing infrastructure, and working with sports teams. Kaplan ended her speech saying, “This is a moment to honor what we have been doing and what we will be doing. This is a celebration, eat! Let’s go Oakland! Let’s go Oakland! Let’s go Oakland!”
These were Kaplan’s last words of the night. She ate and mingled with supporters for a short while and then slipped out of the door before 11 p.m.
My name is Le'Ana Powell; I was born and raised in Oakland California. I am a bartender, student, advocate, domestic violence survivor, and a single mother of a 10-year-old son, JaRae Rutledge. I love music, dance, and many other forms of creative art. I also have certificates of completion in electronic assembly and as an EMT. I volunteer with numerous non-profit organizations addressing a wide range of poverty issues of Californians. One of my most immense accomplishments was in mid-2013 when I testified to the Senate Budget Committee and it voted unanimously to restore DentiCal benefits to low-income adults, effective May 2014.
Good quotes!