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ALAMEDA -- With more than half the city's precincts reporting, Councilwoman Beverly Johnson appears tonight to be the next mayor of Alameda, despite last minute accusations that a group of developers may have illegally contributed to her campaign. Updated: Nov. 6, 12:30 am
Johnson had 46 percent of the vote as of 11:45 tonight. Former-mayor Bill Withrow had 27 percent. Barbara Kerr had 22 and Denise Ranish had 3.
"I think the campaign went very well, despite the work of Bill Withrow, which got disgraceful and disgusting," said Johnson, who on Friday was the subject of a controversial Withrow-circulated flier Friday charging that she was improperly influenced by developers on the island.
Vying for the mayor's seat are former Mayor Withrow, political newcomer Denise Ranish, and city councilwomen Beverly Johnson and Barbara Kerr. Johnson has the endorsement of the East Bay establishment, and is an open rival of Kerr, a self-styled political maverick. Withrow lost in 1994 after one term to former Mayor Ralph Appezzato, Johnson's mentor and a popular politician who committed suicide this fall after being diagnosed with colon cancer.
The election took an unexpected turn this Friday when the Oakland Tribune reported that a political action committee had circulated some $16,000 worth of mailers on Johnson's behalf. The group had not properly reported its activities, and included among its members Centex Homes, one of the major developers on the island.
Johnson, who was endorsed by Assemblywoman Wilma Chan, D-Alameda, and State Senator Don Perata, D-Oakland, said she knew nothing about the group's mailing.
Since the Centex contribution was made public, the company has withdrawn its $25,000 donation to the PAC. Centex did not return requests for comment.
Jim Ferguson, the president of political watchdog Common Cause, said the PAC reporting flap highlights a disturbing trend in Alameda and East Bay cities, where more money is coming into local races under the radar. "In a local elections these independent groups are harder to track," Ferguson said. "But it's certainly intended to have a big effect. Money talks."
Some voters agreed. "I had my ballot all filled out and ready, then I saw the paper," said Joann McKray. "Obviously these interests are manipulating the system to keep voters in the dark. I resent it, and switched my vote for mayor."
McKray did not say whom she was supporting, and which of Johnson's opponents might pick up these defectors is not clear.
Since the Navy abandoned its Alameda base five years ago, the city has experienced rapid economic and demographic changes, and is anticipating a period of growth. The new mayor will be charged with setting the course of cleanup and development on the former base, the economic revitalization of the West End and the preparing the city to absorb more diverse population.
Councilwoman Barbara Kerr campaigned as political outsider, trying to slow the pace of new development in Alameda. Kerr only spent some $6000 on her campaign and found her base of support in senior citizens and those concerned that Alameda may be losing its small town character.
"I think she cares about Alameda," said Ed Ramirez, 48, who cast his vote for Kerr at a polling place on the island's West End.
Like Johnson, Withrow emphasized during his campaign that Alameda's small-town and blue-collar economic base was out of date. The former mayor ran on a pro-business platform, saying he would try to lure high-tech companies to the city. Withrow downplayed ideological differences, but criticized his opponents for not demonstrating leadership on the city council.
Johnson and Kerr were frequently rivals on the city council. Johnson consistently voted with her political mentor Appezzato and never voted against the majority. Kerr took on the role of council critic, and was the lone voice of dissent on dozens of votes. Kerr opposed the city's plan to build a new library, rejected the city's settlement with a housing advocacy group that sued the city for not meeting affordable housing goals, and has continued to oppose plans for build a new mall on the island.
Johnson has pushed for the construction of a new retail center on the island's south shore, and a twelve-screen cineplex and library downtown. She opposes a ballot measure that would force the city to convert a deserted railway into open space.
While close council watchers may keep track of the candidates' records on affordable housing and development, most voters are interested in the basics, said Withrow's campaign consultant Larry Tramutola. Most Alamedans are concerned with schools, traffic and bringing better retail to the city, Tramutola said.
These basic issues are what are prompting voters like Liz Warmerdam, a 34-year-old former city employee, who cast her vote for Johnson. "She gets it," Warmerdam said. "She's got kids. She's a professional. I trust the kinds of decisions she'll make."