Dear Friends & Colleagues,

I’m writing to let you know that our campaign for a seat in the CA State Senate has fallen short. With a highly competitive field of serious Democratic candidates, I came in 3rd place just a few thousand votes shy of being in the “top two” for the general election.

It would be a huge understatement to say I am disappointed. Many of you believed fully that I could accomplish many great things at the state level were I fortunate enough to be elected. Alas, it is not to be. Nevertheless, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to each of you who had supported my candidacy, had faith in my skills, and helped me along the way during this challenging campaign. Your steadfast support kept me going through this election season’s twists and turns.

The Primary results are all too reminiscent of the close third place finish six years ago in the State Assembly Primary. As Yogi Berra said, “It’s like Déjà vu all over again.”

I am honored by the level of support my campaign received. With your help, we spoke with thousands of voters and received financial donations from nearly 900 individual donors. This was truly a worthwhile effort engaging with East Bay residents to share and advance my environmental and public interest agenda to the state level. But we fell short in getting the magnitude of institutional support necessary to win in a such a large district.

I want to acknowledge each of my fellow State Senate candidates for running serious campaigns that reflect the progressive nature of our East Bay region. I congratulate Mayor Jesse Arreguin and AC Transit Director Jovanka Beckles for garnering the support necessary to advance to the November General Election. And I also recognize candidates Kathryn Lybarger and former Assemblymember Sandré Swanson for their serious efforts and tremendous good work over the years.
 

I will cherish your support and continue to work in our community every week addressing key issues. I have a lot of work to do over the weeks and months ahead to retire my campaign debt [https://lnkd.in/gJdufCKe - please help if you can] and to finish my term as an Oakland City Councilmember. I am working on housing affordability, environmental and public safety challenges locally.

Warm thanks and appreciation to my team: Alix, Alex, Michael, and Jay for all their hard work and dedication, and to Ben T., my pollster, as well. Thank you also to my many endorsers, event hosts, and contributors, and to all my volunteers over the past year. In particular, warm thanks to all-star volunteers Davis B. and Reid F. for their tremendous efforts. And big thanks to the many people in the solar energy industry, clean tech, and environmental communities who supported my candidacy.
 

I wish you all the very best and I am looking forward to re-connecting while we work collaboratively to resolve the myriad of local and regional issues facing our communities.
 

With appreciation,
-Dan

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I work hard every day to solve challenges that some feel are almost impossible to overcome. That’s what leadership and commitment mean to me. That’s why I’ll never give up taking on the big issues to make life better for you, your family and everyone in our communities.

I know that there is no such thing as waving a magic wand to make positive change — it takes determination, skill and hard work to move government in ways that truly address the big issues we face today and tomorrow. That’s the kind of work I’m very good at!

If you know me well, you know that I am not afraid to lead the charge for change. That’s why I am doubling down on my commitment for positive change by running for the CA State Senate.

I have spent my entire professional career in the Bay Area as an environmental and social justice advocate and public servant, leading efforts to protect our environment and combat climate change, increase affordable housing, reduce gun violence and increase neighborhood safety, fight for clean money elections, support our public libraries, create livable, walkable neighborhoods, and promote social justice, access to good-paying jobs and universal access to health care.

For over 30 years I have served as a public interest advocate—most of that as an environmental champion with groups such as the Sierra Club and the Union of Concerned Scientists engaging full-time for the existential battle that is upon us: the climate crisis. Because we can’t wait anymore — future generations are counting on us to combat climate change and protect our precious environment for generations to come.

Together, we can make a difference in the lives of residents of the East Bay and beyond. Please join me.