Welcome
Dear Friend,
I love Oakland. I love Oakland because I have a deep connection to our city’s diverse communities. We are a city with a rich history of activism, a thriving arts and culture scene, and a growing green jobs movement.
It is only in Oakland where someone like me, a grassroots organizer with a fresh new perspective, can have the opportunity to run for City Council to represent those who have lost faith in their government.
I know and understand the sense of urgency we are facing – I see it when I talk to parents about their struggles raising kids in Oakland. I see it when I talk to small business owners who face the threat of going under. I see it when I talk to young people who are seeking a chance to pursue their dreams and develop their talent.
We, as Oaklanders, have had enough. Our city is wrought with deep rooted problems and it’s time we start investing in the future of Oakland.
We need to invest in Oakland by bringing fresh solutions, a bold vision, and new leadership into City Hall. We need to make local government work effectively with community members to improve the quality of life for ALL Oakland residents. We need to make fiscally and socially responsible investments in Oakland neighborhoods, jobs, and residents.
Investing in Oakland means we need to solve our budget crisis, address the root causes of crime, implement a sustainable strategic plan for land use and zoning, and create stronger partnerships to build a healthy vibrant Oakland.
It is our time to think differently in this new decade of change. As we fight to regain economic stability and bring hope to our communities, we have a unique opportunity to invest in Oakland by using this election to be vocal, reshape our vision, and aggressively pursue the fundamental changes we deserve.
We all know we can do better for the city we love. If you love Oakland like I do, I ask you to re-invest in our community by joining my campaign for City Council.
Together we can,
Jennifer Pae
Campaign News
With Deepest Gratitude
November 5th, 2010
I apologize for taking some time to myself before sending this to you. I took some time to do what was long overdue – spend time with my family. It is my family that I would like to thank first. I spent the day after the Election, a sunny autumn day, with my mother and sister. It helped put things into perspective. I am truly blessed to have a loving family and I could not have gone on this endeavor without them.
When I began this campaign, I knew this was going to be an uphill battle. If you had told me a first time candidate was running against an incumbent, I would have been very hesitant of the task ahead of them. But somehow, I found myself in that very position. Throughout the race, our campaign was met with many obstacles. People didn’t believe that a young woman of color could do what I had set out to do. But I knew I had your support. It gave me the energy to continue. For that, I am truly grateful.
While the end results of this election was not what we had hoped for, our work is not over. There is certainly a lot that needs to be changed in Oakland and we cannot let one election stand in our way. Over the past year, I’ve spent hundreds of hours listening to the fears, dreams, and hopes of parents, business owners, and community leaders. I will never forget their stories and I will carry with them with me throughout my career. The folks in City Hall still need to regain the public’s trust and pursue a vision for the future that will lift our families up in these struggling economic times. If we are to restore Oakland, we must first restore trust in City Hall.
I promise to never give up the pursuit to change how our local government works and I hope you will too. Do it for whatever reason motivates you. For me, it was my families’ strength that allowed me to pursue a better future not only for myself, but for my community. It’s also the many conversations I’ve had on the streets of Oakland. We all share a common thread and we must never forget how we can strengthen each member of our community because in the end, it strengthens Oakland.
I can’t tell you how proud I am of our campaign. With the help of a dedicated group of volunteer canvassers and phone bankers, we made 26,825 contacts over the phone and at the doors. Over two hundred of you volunteered your time, energy and talents to walk precincts, host house parties, send emails, make calls, and distribute literature. 474 of you made a contribution with 74% giving $100 or less to reach voters in every neighborhood. Everyone who volunteered, contributed, or voted for me made a huge difference, not only for this campaign, but for the future of Oakland.
Thank you for giving me the confidence to step up and challenge the status quo, for that I am truly grateful. Although this campaign was not easy, it is because of your support we were able to run a professional campaign with integrity. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your commitment, creativity, and dedication to bring fundamental change in Oakland. This has been an unforgettable journey and we’re not done yet. The work is far from over – it’s only just begun!
With deepest gratitude,
Jennifer Pae
Proudly Voted
November 1st, 2010
As I marked my absentee ballot today, I felt an upswell of pride. I was voting for Jennifer Pae for Oakland City Council and it marked an exciting campaign coming to a completion.
What makes me proud about making this vote wasn’t because I was voting for a friend. It wasn’t because I was the campaign director and she was my candidate. It wasn’t because I wanted to win this campaign.
Ever since Jennifer told me she was thinking of running for Oakland City Council, I knew it would be a tough competition but one well worth it. In the past four months of working on this campaign, it proved to be one of the more difficult campaigns. Even though my mission was to get Jennifer Pae elected into City Council, my personal goal was to make Jennifer the type of candidate I would be proud to vote for.
Over the course of the campaign I’ve seen her change from a community organizer into a leader ready for City Hall. She has her feet firmly planted in her progressive beliefs while able to work with people across the political spectrum. She understands thoroughly the economic struggles we are experiencing and how it relates to public safety being the number one issue for this community. She recognizes the complexities of negotiating public policy issues with local politics and has the knowledge to bring the best strategic plan to the table.
The campaign has prioritized surveying every person we talked to and empathizing with their priority issues for Oakland. We have highlighted people and stories from District 2 throughout our campaign. We didn’t just talk at voters, we listened to voters and shared their stories. This campaign reflects what Jennifer Pae is all about – it is about walking the talk. It’s time that Oakland has a candidate that is willing to step up to the plate and do just that.
Tomorrow, I will drop my ballot off at my polling place before heading to campaign headquarters for a full day of campaigning. I will do it confidently because Jennifer Pae is the type of candidate I would be proud to vote for.
I voted for Jennifer Pae. On Tuesday I’m asking you to vote for Jennifer Pae.
Please also ask your friends with an e-mail, Facebook note, text message or phone call to vote for Jennifer Pae.
Thank you. Together we can do this.
Taz Ahmed
Campaign Director
P.S.
There’s still time to make a campaign donation! Make a contribution today.
ELECTION DAY PARTY!
November 1st, 2010
Join Us For a Celebration on Election Night!
We are eternally grateful for all of the love and support this past year. We have run a first class grassroots campaign and made significant accomplishments in the community throughout this election season. It has been an incredible journey and now it’s time to celebrate!
Come watch live election results in great company
with food, drinks and music by dj fflood!
Tuesday, November 2nd
8:30pm
Kingman’s Lucky Lounge
3332 Grand Ave
Oakland, CA 94610
Check out the facebook event page.
Last Day of Getting Out the Vote
November 1st, 2010
This is a very close race. We still have a large percentage of undecided voters that need to be persuaded and a community of voters that need to be reminded of where their polling place is. Help us in the next 24 hours to get out the vote!
Phone Calls:
There’s still time – help us talk to voters! Voters need to know what time the polls are open, where their polling place is and just how simple it is to place their vote. Help us call voters tonight and throughout the day tomorrow. To sign up for our virtual phone bank system, please contact Taz Ahmed at vote@jenniferpae.com or call at 510-852-9728.
Poll Checking:
Tomorrow is Election Day and we need volunteers spread throughout the district assigned to particular polling locations to keep track of the votes coming in. We preferably need voters for full day shifts starting as early as 8am until 8:30pm. We also have shifts available to make phone calls to voters out of our campaign headquarters at 3231 Grand Ave.
Please contact Taz Ahmed at 510-852-9728 to sign up.
Questions About Voting:
Do you know where your polling place is? Check out www.smartvoter.org for personalized information about what you are voting on tomorrow. If you have additional questions, give our HQ a call at 510- 852-9728 or give the Alameda County Registrar of Voters a call at 510-272-6973
Your Voice, Your Vote
October 29th, 2010
Looking back over the past year, it’s been amazing to see what we’ve accomplished and how far we’ve come. Being a part of this campaign has truly been an adventurous journey from the point where I decided to run for the seat of City Council in District 2 all the way to today, where we are on our last weekend of the campaign and getting out the vote.
Political insiders from the start challenged me by letting me know that it couldn’t be done. It would be too difficult, impossible even. How would a 28 year old young woman be able to run an effective campaign to challenge the incumbent?
We have done just that.
We have proven our viability by running a competitive grassroots campaign with 465 donors that have invested in our campaign, over a 100 volunteers that have signed up for shifts, a fully functional campaign headquarters, and nearly 80 major endorsements.
Most importantly, we have engaged residents in District 2. For almost all, it was the first time they’ve gotten involved with a City Council race. I’d like to thank our Super Volunteers with whom we couldn’t have done without: Ajai, Alex, Angelica, Chris, Eric, Hatty, Jessica, Lai-San, Lila, Nadia, Navneet, Tavae and Vanessa.
We have talked to thousands of Oaklanders and it’s clear that we have made a significant difference in our community. Time and time again, I hear the fear and frustration in our neighborhoods. This campaign was never about me, but is about the voices of these people. This campaign is about Jaime and Steve who are trying to run their small businesses but are not getting adequate City support. It’s about Chris with the hidden recording studio making some of Oakland’s finest music and about Lai-San making a difference as a community activist. It’s about Jaynelle and Lupita who are working to start up their own business and provide new opportunities in our city. It’s about Ingrid and her family wanting a quality education but having no faith in the City to provide it. And finally, it’s about Deborah and Raymen. A strong woman who wants her grandchildren to be safe on her front steps without fear of gunshots again and a young 17 year old boy who was taken away from us much too early.
These voices are what make Oakland and it is their voices that I carried with me throughout this campaign. If elected, it is these voices I will carry with me into City Hall.
We are now only 4 days away from Election Day and in the final stages of the campaign. We need your help now more than ever. Once again, I’d like to ask for your help and vote. Together we will win on November 2nd and make history.
Together we can,
Jennifer Pae
Ask Your Neighbors to Vote Jennifer Pae
October 29th, 2010
Studies show that peer to peer outreach is one of the most effective way to mobilize and organize. We know that you have an extensive network of friends and family in Oakland. Would you be willing to send an e-mail, Facebook note, tweet and a letter appeal on behalf of the Jennifer Pae campaign?
It’s easy, just draft up a short message about why you support the campaign. Post it, tweet it, blog it and send it to your networks. In the message just share your personal story about why you will be voting for Jennifer Pae and ask your friends to join you and vote for Jennifer Pae. We even have a template that you can use!
Please contact Taz at vote@jenniferpae.com for a template.
Final Get Out the Vote for Jennifer Pae
October 29th, 2010
It is time. As you probably know, these last few days before Election Day are absolutely critical to getting our message out to District 2 voters in Oakland. We need all the help we can get to help us win on Election Day.
Saturday, October 30th:
10:00am – 11:30am Lakeshore Annual Halloween Parade and Festival (meet at HQ)
11:30am – 2:30pm Trick or Treating for Votes
1pm – 4pm Trick or Treating for Votes
5pm – 6pm Poll Checking Training
6pm – 10pm Visibility at Halloween Events
10am – 6pm Phone Banking (Virtual or HQ)
Sunday, October 31st:
10am – 2pm Trick or Treating for Votes
10am – 2pm Busy Work at HQ
1pm – 4pm Trick or Treating for Votes
2pm – 6pm Bella Vista Park Neighborhood Halloween Party
4pm – 8pm East Bay Young Democrats hosted Trick or Treating for Votes
6pm – 10pm Visibility at Halloween Events
10am – 8:30pm Phone Banking (Virtual or HQ)
Monday, November 1st:
10am – 5pm Visibility in District 2 of Oakland
4:00pm – 8:30pm Phone Banking (Virtual or HQ)
10am – 11pm Busy Work at HQ
Tuesday, November 2nd – ELECTION DAY!!!:
8am – 8pm Poll Checking
noon – 8pm Visibility
noon – 8pm Phone Banking (Virtual or HQ)
Please sign up for a shift! Contact Taz Ahmed at vote@jenniferpae.com or 510-852-9728. Campaign Headquarters are located at 3231 Grand Ave.
It will most likely be raining this weekend, so please remember to dress warmly, bring your umbrella, and wear your rain boots! DON’T FORGET YOUR COSTUMES!
Lawn Signs Are Here!
October 29th, 2010
It’s time to see more of our signs in the district!
Do you have a patch of grass at a busy intersection? We have a lawn sign for you!
If you would like a lawn sign or would like to help us distribute lawn & window signs, please contact us at vote@jenniferpae.com.
Election Day Actions
October 29th, 2010
On November 2nd, we will need your help covering the district with Jennifer Pae supporters.
Poll Watching:
On Election Day we will need volunteers assigned to particular polling locations to keep a track on the votes coming in. We preferably need voters for full day shifts starting as early as 8am until 8:30pm but would love at least one 4 hour shift during the day.
A poll watching training will be conducted on Saturday, Oct 30th at 5:00pm at 3231 Grand Ave, Oakland CA.
Visibility:
Help us distribute buttons and flyers about Jennifer Pae as voters make their way to the polls. We need volunteers all day throughout the district – sign up today to let your neighbors know about Jennifer Pae!
Election Night Party:
Save the date and join us for a celebration at Lucky Lounge on Election Night! Party starts at 8pm. More information TBA.
Radio Interview
October 29th, 2010
Jennifer Pae was interviewed on Viewpoint On More Public Radio with Eddrick Osborne. Check out her interview with Eddrick by clicking on the following link.
The broadcast will be aired tomorrow on Saturday (Oct 30th) at 9am on 88.1FM or 97.7FM in the East Bay. There is also a webcast at 9am which you can access here:
www.morepublicradiointernational.org
Calendar
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Campaign Office
3231 Grand Ave
Oakland CA 94610