Learn how candidates differ and agree on Alameda’s future
Five people are competing for two four-year terms on Alameda’s City Council this November. Current Councilmember Malia Vella has served two consecutive terms and can’t run in this election, so her seat on the Council is up for grabs. Incumbent Councilmember Trish Herrera Spencer is eligible to run for a second term.
Clockwise from bottom center: Stephen Slauson, Michele Pryor, Thushan Amarasiriwardena, Trish Herrera Spencer, and Greg Boller. Photos from candidates’ respective websites and file photo (Slauson).
The Post reached out to the candidates and asked them for more information about themselves and their campaigns, which is summarized below. We have also included links to their websites so you can learn more about each candidate and who has endorsed them. City Council is a non-partisan office, so candidate’s party affiliations are not listed.
Thushan Amarasiriwardena is campaigning on a platform of what he describes as pragmatic, data-driven solutions to address the city’s most pressing issues, including housing affordability, economic development, and public safety. He believes Alameda’s future lies in embracing change while building on the city’s strengths.
“I believe the best version of our future isn’t built by holding back, but through making more of the best of this Island,” Amarasiriwardena said. “Change is a constant in a city like ours. Let’s lean into it.”
Amarasiriwardena’s professional background includes roles as a journalist at The Boston Globe , co-founder of an educational app startup, and product development at Google. He currently works on advancing beneficial uses of AI in the federal government. He has served on the Alameda Free Library Board, the Measure E campaign committee, the Love Elementary School Site Committee, and the board of the Alameda Post .
Amarasiriwardena stated that he recognizes the importance of community building in a post-pandemic world. He supports efforts to fill empty storefronts and streamline the process for starting or expanding businesses in the city.
“Our downtowns, pocket neighborhoods and small businesses are creating vital spaces for us to gather,” he said. “I’m interested in finding ways we can further support them.”
His stated priorities include delivering on the city’s existing housing plan, enhancing commercial districts to attract businesses and jobs, and creating safer neighborhoods through improved street design and adequately staffed public safety departments.
“I don’t think these issues can be tackled alone from the City Council,” he said. “It’ll take all of us.” His campaign website is https://www.thushanforalameda.com/ .
Greg Boller’s focus is on public safety, housing and city design, and economic development. He is currently a Deputy District Attorney in Alameda County DA Pamela Price’s office. His campaign prioritizes strengthening Alameda’s public safety infrastructure, including accelerating recruitment and retention of top professionals in police and fire departments. He is a former member of the City of Alameda Home Ownership Committee and served two terms as an Alameda County Public Health Commissioner.
Growing up in a working-class family of laborers and teachers, he attended Alameda schools, UC Davis, and Georgetown Law before returning to Alameda to start his legal career. He later earned a Master of Public Administration degree at Harvard Kennedy School.
“Ensuring the safety and well-being of Alameda residents is at the forefront of my campaign,” Boller declared. “I am the only City Council candidate with full-time public safety experience. In my 23 years as a prosecutor, I have gained a deep understanding of public safety issues.”
He plans to enhance crime prevention efforts through innovative neighborhood watch programs and technology, and to upgrade emergency services. He also advocates for a regional first-responder training center to improve training quality and generate revenue for the city.
Boller is prioritizing developing walkable neighborhoods zoned for residential, business, and recreational spaces. He would address traffic solutions and infrastructure upgrades to improve city navigation. Boller would like to expand healthcare resources for all residents by enhancing collaboration between city departments, medical services, and nonprofits.
“I am committed to preserving rent control laws to protect renters and ensuring affordable homeownership opportunities for residents,” Boller stated. “By fostering a thriving local economy, we can improve the quality of life for all Alameda residents.”
Boller proposes establishing a liaison with Alameda County Health System and partnering with the Alameda Unified School District to improve student health and nutrition programs. Boller intends to attract new retail and small businesses that align with residents’ needs, bring corporate tenants to business parks, and support small businesses through revitalization incentives.
To ensure equitable access to city services, Boller suggests building a community center at Alameda Point with a library, meeting spaces, and maker spaces. He also emphasized the need for adequate library funding and dynamic spaces that serve and strengthen the community. Boller’s campaign website is located at https://www.gregboller.com/ .
Michele Pryor is campaigning on a platform of collaborative problem-solving to address the pressing issues of affordable housing and climate change. She believes Alameda can tackle these challenges while maintaining its charm and vibrancy. Her vision includes a future with homes for various income levels, improved public transportation, safer streets, and a thriving local business community.
Her campaign emphasizes her track record of community involvement and advocacy. Pryor has fought for renter protections, supported the Wellness Center, and engaged in volunteer work. As a special educator, she participates in advocacy groups focused on increasing funding and promoting equity in education
Pryor sees room for improvement in the City Council’s collaborative efforts and efficiency. She plans to leverage her professional experience in creating and leading problem-solving teams to address this issue and she is committed to maintaining open dialogue with community members and stakeholders. She pledged to consider staff input seriously and to come prepared to collaborate with fellow Councilmembers.
“We deserve a City Council … willing to collaborate to meet these needs head on,” she said. “I also believe we can disagree effectively; good ideas can withstand scrutiny, and bad ideas can be set aside.” She said her union leadership experience has honed her skills in building “joyful solidarity” and organizing for better wages and working conditions.
She explained that Alameda faces challenges common to many urban areas in California. The housing crisis, exacerbated by the tech industry’s growth, has led to skyrocketing real estate prices and a shortage of affordable options for middle and low-income residents.
She added that climate change poses another significant threat to the city—Alameda is particularly vulnerable to sea-level rise and increased flooding risks associated with global warming.
Pryor is in favor of solutions that balance growth with preservation of the city’s character. Her vision includes developing housing for various income levels, enhancing public transportation to support growth, and implementing measures to create safer streets. Her website is located at https://www.michelepryor.com/ .
Stephen Slauson. File photo.
Stephen Slauson
Stephen Slauson is focused on preserving the city’s character, supporting education, and enhancing public safety. He was born and raised in Alameda and graduated from Alameda High , as did his children, and now his granddaughter is an AHS student.
Slauson stated he will continue to preserve Alameda’s historic single-family neighborhoods. As a member of the Board of Directors for the Alameda Citizens Taskforce and the Alameda County Taxpayers Association, he brings his knowledge of local governance and fiscal oversight to the campaign.
“I am familiar with the workings of City Hall and have participated in many Council meetings,” Slauson stated. He also highlighted his experience as a contractor for AUSD school renovation projects and other work for Alameda Municipal Power and the City .
He supports the development of affordable housing in Alameda’s redevelopment areas, such as the former shipyard off Clement Avenue. He campaigned for the enactment of Alameda’s Measure A in 1973 and opposed subsequent efforts to overturn it, demonstrating his stance on controlling development. He supports the installation of a Veterans Center at the former Navy base.
Education is a key priority for Slauson, whose wife worked for the School District and whose son is currently a teacher there. “I will continue to support the excellence of our school systems,” he wrote. “I campaigned for the passage of every school bond.” He also pledged his continued support for athletic programs like little league baseball and soccer.
Public safety is another major concern for him. “My van has been broken into eight times over the years and I caught four of the criminals.” He intends to ensure the Police Department is adequately staffed. He is advocating for the repeal of Proposition 47 and supports mandatory incarceration for repeat offenders. “I will continue to support the Police Department’s efforts to keep the riff-raff out of Alameda,” he wrote.
Slauson emphasized maintaining Alameda’s quality of life. “I have a vested interest in keeping Alameda’s high quality of life a priority,” he states. “This includes your right to safe shopping centers, business districts, and streets without fear of being mugged or shot.” He does not have a campaign website, but additional information about him may be found at https://ballotpedia.org/Stephen_Slauson .
Trish Herrera Spencer is well known as the City of Alameda’s first and only Hispanic mayor and as a current Councilmember. She is running for re-election to City Council with a focus on public safety, responsible growth, and transparent governance. She also previously served as an AUSD board member, in other volunteer positions, and has expertise as an attorney.
Spencer advocates for fully staffing the Alameda Police Department with the latest, safest tools to enhance community protection. She successfully championed the partnership between Alameda Family Services ( AFS ) and Alameda Fire Department ( AFD ), resulting in the award-winning non-police crisis program, the CARE team . Eight years as mayor and Councilmember has provided Spencer with a deep understanding of AFD’s Community Paramedics Program, which was piloted during her time as mayor.
“As your elected representative, my primary goal is to improve our City’s governance for the benefit of everyone in our community,” she stated. “My first priority is public safety—it’s essential that we are safe in our community.”
Spencer’s platform includes support for necessary traffic solutions, climate change conservation efforts, and responsible growth, including middle/workforce and affordable housing. “To address these challenges, government must be transparent, fiscally responsible, and responsive to the community’s needs,” she stated.
Throughout her career, Spencer has championed various community efforts, including saving Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter, Corica Park Golf Complex, Jean Sweeney Open Space Park, and Jim’s on the Course. She also played a role in naming Svendsen Maritime Park, resolving Fernside dock owners’ safety issues, and protecting public health with regulated cannabis dispensaries. She remains committed to partnering with local artists, businesses, and organizations to meet the diverse needs of all Alamedans.
Spencer said her background allows her to connect community members with necessary resources and services. “Many do not know how to navigate City Hall and government for services. It is because of my unique background that I usually can help them connect the dots,” she explained.
She stressed the importance of job growth, particularly in light of the Naval Air Station closure, which eliminated approximately 16,000 military and civilian jobs. She views meaningful job growth as crucial for providing living-wage jobs and generating revenue for important city services.
“If it were easy, it would have been done by now,” Spencer said. She believes her years of leadership and history of supporting community efforts position her well to address these challenges. She aims to work collaboratively with the Council, residents, and other stakeholders to move Alameda forward. “Together, we can build a safer, stronger, and more vibrant Alameda,” she said.
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