“Now we have to work to overturn the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act at the state level in order to have truly effective renter protections,” Vann said.
In the race for the at-large City Council seat, Kaplan won with 53.25 of the vote, defeating challengers Peggy Moore (19.58 percent), Bruce Quan (16.67 percent), Matt Hummel (6.60 percent) and Nancy Sidebotham (3.73 percent).
Kaplan released a statement, thanking “voters and supporters for your confidence in my work and endorsement of my progressive vision. We had a large field of candidates this election cycle and to receive such a clear victory means the world to me.”
Alluding to Donald Trump’s election victory, Kaplan said, “We are waking up with the tough realization of what happened nationally last night. While this is a tough blow, it’s important that we continue to fight for a more progressive world.”
Measure LL, which won with 82.12 percent of the vote, will establish an independent Police Commission led by Oakland residents to oversee the department.
Congresswoman Barbara Lee said, “Establishing a civilian controlled Police Commission in Oakland is a necessary first step.”
Rashidah Grinage, a leader in the Measure LL campaign coalition, praised those whose efforts made the victory a reality.
“We put together an amazing coalition,” she said. “It was labor, it was nonprofits, it was community leaders and other folks. An incredible team of people worked their hearts out, and we did it on almost no money at all,” she said.
Grinage emphasized that the effort to create effective police oversight “is just beginning.”
“For the commission to deliver on its promise, many things need to happen,” she said. “We have to establish the commission as a credible body that is serious about the work of holding the police accountable.”