Oakland mayor candidates discuss crime and economic growth

The race for mayor of Oakland is heating up as the election date approaches. Two main candidates are competing in a special election on April 15. They spoke with ABC7 News about key issues like crime, homelessness, and the economy. Renia Webb is one of the candidates. She was a former staff member for the previous mayor, Sheng Thao. Webb is also a teacher and aims to focus on public safety, economic growth, affordable housing, and public health. Mindy Pechenuk, another candidate, has a controversial background. She supported the late conspiracy theorist Lyndon LaRouche and claims to be the only candidate who fully backed former President Donald Trump. Suz Robinson, who has been committed to Oakland's public safety since 2017, also joined the race. She has worked on community policing and has been involved with nonprofits supporting LGBTQ+ programs. Eric Simpson comes from the Socialist Workers Party. He advocates for a federal jobs program and better protection for workers’ wages, though he does not have a specific budget plan for the city. Elizabeth Swaney is known for competing in the 2018 Winter Olympics. She wants to revitalize the local economy and support essential city services and the arts. Peter Liu, a U.S. Army veteran, has experience as an insurance agent. He completed his education at the University of California and is among the candidates looking to lead Oakland forward. The candidates expressed their viewpoints in an effort to connect with voters, offering different visions for the future of Oakland.