TL;DR: A provocateur to distract you from the actual race

Introduction

In 2020, Seneca Scott ran for the D3 Council seat. During his campaign, he didn’t participate in any candidate forums that we could find, and his website did not contain platform details.

2022 Seneca Scott is a totally new candidate, who’s learned from his past performance how to truly distinguish himself in a wide field of competitors. 2022 Seneca Scott has a singular focus in his campaign strategy: attention.

Today Scott puts his most divisive and incendiary views on full display, especially in social media. He is an extremely active Twitter user, which he uses to shame, name call, and belittle in the name of strong leadership.

Background

Scott has lived and worked in Oakland for the past 20 years. He worked for SEIU Local 1021, where colleagues still recall his transphobia. He co-founded Oakhella, a consultancy which publicly denounced Scott’s transphobia. He also co-founded Bottom’s Up Community Garden and its off-shoot Bottom’s Up Cafe, where he allegedly brandished a firearm at two people.

Official platform

Increase OPD sworn officer numbers to 900 Sweep the encampments, it’s the only compassionate thing to do Take Oakland mayor powers from “strong mayor city” to “authoritarian mayor city” (https://www.facebook.com/ArpbOaklandRealtist/videos/4617072975063174/ 25:43) Increase fines for illegal dumping (but couple with decreased dump fees) Make Oakland an agricultural center that grows food (we’re not sure what this means or where this would happen)

Scott equates being unhoused with criminality:

I’ve sued the City for not following the encampment management policy [i.e., and evicting people who don’t have other places to go]. Oakland has such a favorable situation for homeless people that we get drug tourism. We solve homelessness by enforcing the law, and by fighting for resources from the County.

Source: Association of Real Property Brokers, April 5, 2022 Mayoral Candidate Forum

Stance on policing

Despite the intense competition for the title, Seneca Scott is self-promoting as The “Law and Order” Candidate.

Step aside, 2020 Seneca Scott.

Screenshot of Scott tweet from Sep 18 2020: “We can no longer afford to spend 45% of our budget on OPD while comparable cities spend 25%-35%. We need to reallocate a significant portion of OPD’s budget into areas that address the most urgent needs of the homeless population.”

https://twitter.com/Seneca4Mayor/status/1307138306782695424

2022 Seneca Scott is here now:

Screenshot of Scott tweet from Sep 4 2022: “It’s because there are not enough staff, or police to cover them all. 20% of calls are going unanswered. If you DO get an answer, it takes 19 min for someone to pick up. We have lost rule of law and people act like it’s a joke. Irresponsible leadership all around.” https://twitter.com/Seneca4Mayor/status/1566592991841570816

Stance on the Howard Terminal A’s Stadium

In his own words “[e]veryone knows I’m a YES for the A’s at Howard Terminal.”

Stance on public relations

Screenshot of Scott tweet from Sep 2 2022: “She really is pathetic. But she’s also a useful idiot who has given me tons of free publicity.” https://twitter.com/Seneca4Mayor/status/1565903577859510272

Screenshot of Scott tweet from Sep 2 2022, replying to @CatsCommentary: “I’m sorry. Is this idiot feline speaking about me? You and APTP are a joke. Pure clown show.” https://twitter.com/Seneca4Mayor/status/1565724985452158976

Screenshot of Scott tweet from Sep 2 2022, replying to @CatsCommentary: “You already lost. You a ghost in these Oakland streets. And black people don’t like you. You don’t speak for us, as hard as you try too.”

https://twitter.com/Seneca4Mayor/status/1565829499337420801

Screenshot of Scott tweet from Aug 23 2022, replying to @ShengForOakland: “Kinda late. You are so full of crap.” https://twitter.com/Seneca4Mayor/status/1562299201328861185

There’s more of the same in this thread… but maybe it’s time to pay attention to the real race?

Seneca Scott

Mayor of Oakland

CONTACT INFO:

OFFICE & DISTRICT