A victory for truth, progress, and the people.
Congratulations to the Honorable Barbara Lee on her historic and inspiring election as Mayor of Oakland. Her victory marks a turning point for our city—a moment of collective relief, renewed hope, and a powerful stand for justice, unity, and democratic values.
For progressives and people with common sense across Oakland, this outcome is more than a win—it’s a second chance. And fittingly, it arrives during Second Chance Month, reminding us that our city has the power to reject hatred, racism, misogyny, and division.
In 2023, a wave of misinformation and toxic rhetoric swept through Oakland. I witnessed firsthand how my image was weaponized in efforts to undermine Hon. Barbara Lee’s campaign with falsehoods. For those still confused—or for the folks in the back—let me be crystal clear: Hon. Lee did not endorse my campaign for District Attorney in 2018 or 2022, and she did not endorse the Protect the Win campaign in 2024.
What she did was stand up for democracy and the right of the people to choose their leaders. That matters.
There was a time when the two Brendas were respected community advocates. Unfortunately, in 2023, they allowed themselves to become the token Black women spokespersons for a racist and misogynistic campaign targeting the first Black woman District Attorney. And in 2025, they were once again front and center—working against the election of the first Black woman Mayor of Oakland, something we’ve been striving toward for more than 30 years since Hon. Dezie Woods-Jones first ran for mayor. Thankfully, Oaklanders saw through the loud noise, and their second misinformation campaign failed.
Behind that campaign were powerful backers. While Isaac Abid now offers quiet apologies for financing the efforts of the Brendas, Carl Chan, and Seneca Scott, the reality is that he and Philip Dreyfuss empowered them to carry out a cynical and divisive agenda for Oakland.
We must also remember that in 2022, Mario Juarez launched his “Bad Pam” website without widespread condemnation. Likewise, Steve Tavares and Shawn Wilson spent an entire podcast episode referring to me as “that fu–king Pamela Price” without any meaningful public pushback. And for years, the inflammatory and violent rhetoric of Seneca Scott went largely unchecked after his losses in the 2020 District 3 City Council race and the 2022 mayoral race.
Yet by 2024, these same figures had somehow been elevated as “credible messengers” in the media.
This is what happens when good people stay silent—misinformation thrives, and hate takes hold.
But in 2025, Oakland stood up.
We chose hope over fear, unity over division, and progress over regression. I am so proud of our city for seeing through the noise, rejecting the lies, and standing firmly with the Hon. Barbara Lee. This time, we spoke for Barbara Lee.
Now, it’s time to support our new Mayor as she leads us forward—building bridges, fostering healing, and working for all who believe in a better, stronger, and more just Oakland.