“My objective was to make people say, ‘Oh, look at this guy. He put all his [positions] on paper. I’m going to demand that from everybody else.'"

Schaaf argues that she's the only candidate who can coordinate region-wide solutions to the housing crisis and homelessness.

“I’m running because I want to help stop what’s happening to Oakland," the candidate says.

A single-issue candidate, activist Jesse A.J. Smith is running to draw attention to reforming the Oakland Police Department.