Brent For Berkeley

11/12/2024

I’m so honored that my neighbors in District 6 have elected me to represent them on the Berkeley City Council!

While final votes are still being counted, the results are clear — and I’m humbled by the strong support we received.

This morning, Andy Katz graciously reached out to congratulate us on our successful campaign. I appreciate Andy’s leadership and his dedicated service to the East Bay, and I look forward to collaborating in the weeks and months ahead to address the challenges facing Berkeley.

Thank you to everyone who supported our campaign — by knocking on doors, hosting a house party, donating, spreading the word to friends and neighbors, and so much more. And thank you to my campaign team, advisors, and friends who helped us execute a campaign plan that engaged all 10,000 voters in District 6. We couldn’t have done it without all of you.

This week, I’ll be meeting with our Councilmember Susan Wengraf to begin the transition process. Susan leaves big shoes to fill, but I’ll work my hardest every day to live up to the standard that she and Betty Olds both set for District 6. Susan’s legislative aide Laurie McWhorter has already agreed to stay on, so I’m hopeful we won’t miss a beat.

At this challenging time for our country, local leadership is more important than ever. I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting things done for my neighbors in District 6 and all of Berkeley.

I can’t wait to get started!

11/10/2024

Quick update: With nearly half the vote tallied, we’ve expanded our solid lead in our race for Berkeley City Council!

I’m so appreciative of the strong support I’ve received from my neighbors in District 6 so far. But I’m also eager to ensure that every vote is counted. We should know much more in the next few days, so stay tuned.

Thank you so much for all of your support throughout this campaign. I couldn’t have done it without you!

11/04/2024

Getting in a few last door knocks to reach a final set of undecided voters before Election Day. Get out there and vote, everyone!

11/02/2024

Less than 100 hours to go. Time to reach any last undecided voters! So we’re out knocking doors with this great crew!

10/30/2024

Thanks to The Mercury News and East Bay Times for endorsing my campaign for Berkeley City Council!

“It’s Blackaby who has a strong reading of Berkeley problems, recognizing the dysfunction and dissention challenging city government and vowing to bridge the divides. Blackaby is the fresh candidate the council needs.”

Full endorsement below:

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“Councilmember Susan Wengraf will retire after 16 years representing Berkeley hills residents.

“Her departure set off a two-person race between Brent Blackaby, a relative political newcomer for Berkeley who is deeply engaged and rooted in the district, and Andy Katz, a long-time East Bay politician who moved to the district after Wengraf announced her retirement.

“Blackaby, the co-founder of a digital privacy startup and of digital marketing companies to assist political campaigns, serves on the Berkeley Police Accountability Board and the Berkeley school district safety committee, and he chairs the Cragmont Elementary School Site Council.

“Katz has served on the East Bay Municipal Utility District board since 2006. In five elections, he’s never had an opponent. He ran unsuccessfully for City Council in 2002 and garnered just 5% of the vote when he ran for state Assembly in 2018.

“The two candidates hold similar positions on most policy issues. But while Katz boasts about being a policy wonk, it’s Blackaby who has a strong reading of Berkeley problems, recognizing the dysfunction and dissention challenging city government and vowing to bridge the divides. Blackaby is the fresh candidate the council needs.”

For change, Terry Taplin, Deborah Matthews, Todd Andrew and Brent Blackaby are best picks to refocus City Council

10/28/2024

Over the past few months, I've knocked on more than 4,000 doors in North Berkeley while campaigning for Berkeley City Council.

I've met many neighbors and heard loud & clear about the issues that matter to you: fire safety & home insurance, repairing our streets & sidewalks, public safety, saving Alta Bates, reducing homelessness, and building affordable housing outside high fire hazard zones.

Your priorities will be my priorities at City Hall.

The future of North Berkeley is personal to me. I've lived here 20 years, started two businesses here, and I'm raising my kids here.

I'm ready to bring my track record of solving problems & getting things done to City Hall so we can tackle Berkeley's biggest challenges -- together.

I hope to earn your vote!

10/28/2024

I'm honored to be endorsed for City Council by our long-time Councilmember Susan Wengraf because she knows our district, our neighbors, and our unique issues better than anybody.

Susan has been a strong advocate for our district, a consensus builder and voice of reason on the council, and a leader on wildfire safety and prevention. We owe her a huge debt of gratitude.

She leaves big shoes to fill -- but I'm going to fill them to the best of my ability. I'll fight every day for you and for all our neighbors in North Berkeley.

Will you add your name to my online thank-you card and join me in thanking Susan for everything she's done for us -- and continues to do?

You can sign the card here: https://www.BrentForBerkeley.com/susan

10/28/2024

Thanks to Senator Nancy Skinner, Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, Councilmember Susan Wengraf, the Berkeley Fire Fighters Association, and the Berkeley Democratic Club for supporting my campaign for Berkeley City Council!

They know I'll work hard, every day, on fire safety, street & sidewalk repair, public safety, housing affordability, and homelessness as your next councilmember.

I'd be honored to have your support and your vote, too.

10/28/2024

I'm honored to be endorsed by Councilmember Susan Wengraf and the Berkeley Fire Fighters -- because they know I'll fight every day to keep North Berkeley safe.

But the most important endorsement of all is your vote.

I would be honored to represent you on the Berkeley City Council. I hope to earn your vote!

10/28/2024

I'm out knocking on doors and reaching out to as many voters as possible before Election Day.

Have you voted yet? Make sure you drop your ballot off at the nearest drop box, mail it back, or bring it to your polling place on Election Day.

I hope to earn your vote and have the privilege of representing you on the Berkeley City Council!

10/28/2024

I voted! Make sure you drop off your ballot, mail it back, or vote in person on Election Day. Let’s go !

10/17/2024

Honored to be endorsed by Planned Parenthood Advocates Mar Monte! I’m proud to stand with Planned Parenthood, today and every day. I’ll always be a champion for reproductive freedom, women’s health, and the right to make one’s own healthcare decisions.