Supervisor Keith Carson endorses John Bauters in Alameda District 5 election

Alameda County District 5 Supervisor Keith Carson announced his endorsement of John Bauters on Thursday, putting his stamp on the race to replace him after a 32-year tenure.

Carson’s support is considered one of the most valuable endorsements in the District 5 race between Bauters, an Emeryville city council member, and his opponent Nikki Fortunado Bas, an Oakland city council member. Carson was first elected to the Board of Supervisors in 1992.

In his endorsement, Carson asserted that Bauters has a record of combatting unaffordable housing in Emeryville through effective and equitable resource allocation.

“John Bauters’ leadership and unwavering commitment to serving the poor, unhoused, and challenged communities are qualities I’ve deeply admired throughout his career,” Carson wrote in his endorsement. “John’s collaborative spirit and dedication to social justice will serve him well on the Board of Supervisors, and I’m proud to support him.”

District 5, which encompasses Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, Piedmont and North and East Oakland, had not had an open seat until Carson announced his intention to retire in December of 2023, opening the door for a new face to represent Alameda’s Fifth District.

Bauters praised Carson’s stewardship of District 5 over the past 32 years in a press release responding to the endorsement, saying he will make Alameda County more “equitable and just” through collaboration and thoughtful management of the county’s resources.

“Keith Carson’s leadership in Alameda County has been a beacon of integrity and inclusivity,” Bauters said in a statement. “I am honored to have his support as I seek to build on his work, ensuring that our county remains a place where everyone is valued and every voice is heard.”

Bas has received endorsements from numerous labor groups, including the Alameda Labor Council AFL-CIO, the National Union of Healthcare Workers and Teamsters Local 70. She has also received support from political organizations like the East Bay Democratic Socialists of America, the Alameda Green Party and California’s Working Families Party.

Bauters has also received backing from local and state politicians such as State Senator Scott Wiener and former mayor of Berkeley Tom Bates. In addition, he has the approval of various housing advocacy organizations like California YIMBY and environmental nonprofits like the Sierra Club. The East Bay Times editorial board, which is independent from the newsroom, has also endorsed Bauters.

The District 5 Supervisor race is neck-and-neck between Bauters and Bas, who are in a statistical tie according to polls from the Bauters campaign.