I'm the only corporate free candidate in this race, and here's why that matters.

You’ve probably heard me say that I’m the only corporate-free candidate in this race.

That means my campaign does not accept campaign donations from corporations, real-estate developers, or police unions and their PACs.

Just like when you and I decide to give cash to a political cause, corporations donate to candidates they think will support their best interests. But a corporation’s best interest is always profit, and making a profit often clashes with what’s best for our community.

This corporate-free commitment does not mean rejecting economic development opportunities for Oakland. In fact, my 1,000 City Jobs platform is about making Oakland a better place to live, work, and do business. Filling potholes, fixing streetlights, keeping our streets clean and safe, and delivering reliable city services makes our neighborhoods places where people want to walk around, shop, eat, and spend their money—and where small businesses can thrive.

We can support a thriving local economy without giving corporate interests an outsized say in how our city is run. That’s what being corporate-free means to me.

And rejecting corporate money means we must do the hard work of building a true movement. Hundreds of our neighbors have volunteered for this campaign and helped us knock on 10,000 doors across District 2. That’s the kind of political base I want to govern with: residents who help shape policy and hold me accountable.

In short, the corporate-free commitment is about who I’ll be accountable to if I’m elected. I want our community to know that I’ll turn to you, not corporate donors or big real estate, to help shape the decisions I make as your representative.

See you around the neighborhood!

Nate Adams, Candidate for Oakland City Council, District 2