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Rowena Brown
2025 - Present
2029
0
Rowena Brown is an at-large member of the Oakland City Council in California. She assumed office on January 6, 2025. Her current term ends on January 8, 2029.
Brown ran for election for an at-large seat of the Oakland City Council in California. She won in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Brown completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Elections
2024
See also: City elections in Oakland, California (2024)
General election
General election for Oakland City Council At-large
The ranked-choice voting election was won by Rowena Brown in round 9 . The results of Round are displayed below. To see the results of other rounds, use the dropdown menu above to select a round and the table will update.
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Total votes: 144,857 |
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 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
Endorsements
To view Brown's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Brown in this election.
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Rowena Brown completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Brown's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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As a Black and Queer woman who lost both of her parents by the age of 17, Rowena knows firsthand why Oaklanders need healthcare, safety, affordable housing, the right to a clean neighborhood, and why a thriving small business and local economy is essential for all.
That’s why Rowena has been leading efforts to address blight and illegal dumping, fix potholes, shut down drug hot spots, and secure Oakland’s fair share of State resources to fight human trafficking, reduce gun violence, and protect the clean air we all breathe.
- The safety of every Oaklander means every neighborhood must be free from gun violence. At the same time, we must address homelessness, expand affordable housing, and mental health services. As your At-Large City Councilmember, I’ll bring people together locally, regionally, and statewide to insert new energy, fresh ideas, and political commitment to solving these problems and securing our fair share of State and other resources to realize Oakland’s potential.
- Addressing Homelessness: We must do a better job coordinating local, county, and state resources to get women, children, and seniors transitioned into housing and services. Expanding mental health services and ensuring culturally competent service delivery should be foundational to our strategy. Ending Gun Violence: “I support a neighborhood and business district-based policing model where residents and business owners are building trust, accountability, and partnerships with law enforcement, coupled with trained mental health professionals and prevention programs addressing other nonviolent safety needs.”
- Cost of Living: The cost of living and doing business in Oakland threatens our fabric and historical diversity. I’ll continue to fight to protect renters, cut red tape for small businesses and innovators, and expand housing that our families and workforce can afford.
I recently worked on AB2851, a bill that was based on the decades of serial polluters impacting West Oakland. This bill will work to regulate the metal shredding industry, an industry that has resulted in my toxic fire polluting our neighborhood. I am proud to say that after a year of work, the Governor signed this legislation on 9.27.24
Vice President Kamala Harris, I attended the same Law School as her UC Hastings.
Congresswomen Barbara Lee, as a teenager when 9/ 11 happened her courage, is one that I've always looked up to. That is why I attend Mills College
A Promised Land, Barack Obama - we learn about the tough decision that leaders need to make and the constant need to make the public aware and also build trust with multiple stakeholders.
Renegrade for Justice and Peace - Congresswoman Barbara Lee - this book resonates with me since my family are from a small town in Texas. She is a Mills College Alumnae, like myself. We learn about her over apprehension of the political structure but overall being drawn to a life of public service because of her love for COMMUNITY. Barbara Lee is a hero of mine. I would love to serve the community in the same way as her.
A Fierce Heart by Spring Washam, this book is grounding. As somone who lost both of my parent before I turned 17. This book helps to heal you. Healing our past traumas is the clear path to transforming our neighborhoods, cities and states - imagine a world that we took time to heal. This book lays out the path. *also stories of Oakland inside.
My lived experience of overcoming challenges and internal perseverance equips me with the tools to overcome Oakland's disheartening situation of increased crime, homelessness, and economic insecurity.
My time working for local and state government has been marked by moments that required all staff to meet the moment, to provide the community with resources in the wake of uncertainty.
I currently work across governmental agencies to address issues that arise, I’ve worked on legislation to improve civics education in schools, improve air quality regulations, support victims of human trafficking, and legislation to streamline school districts to build on unused property.
I have a strong work ethnic, while also inspiring others in the work.
Maintaining the City of Oakland's Budget and bringing in new industry and revenue into the City.
Bring all community stakeholders to the conversation to brainstorm solutions and create action plans, while building consensus.
And, once we have an action plan, put it into action with time measurements for achieving the desired results.
I will be focused on results and accountability. I will prioritize transparency and collaboration.
I will also re-emphasize the need for community engagement in the process, therefore ensuring accountability.
I recognize that you can work hard advocating for resources and advancing key legislation but if the community is not involved or kept in the loop - it can give the appearance that nothing is happening.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
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Candidate Oakland City Council At-large |
Personal |
Footnotes
| Political offices | ||
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| Preceded by Rebecca Kaplan |
Oakland City Council At-large 2025-Present |
Succeeded by - |
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