When Seneca Scott announced for Mayor, few Oaklanders had ever heard of him. True, he’d run for City Council two years previously, but lost, and in the intervening period Seneca had very little public visibility.
But that doesn’t mean he was inactive. A self-professed neighborhood activist, Scott was growing his Neighbors Together nonprofit, was literally tending his community garden in the Lower Bottoms, and was involved with Oakhella, his entertainment company. He discovered the Coalition for a Better Oakland early and became, not only a member, but a financial contributor. And he also became my friend.
He lost his campaign for Mayor. But when we had lunch yesterday, with his charming parents, who are visiting from Ohio, Scott was in a happy mood. Relieved, I suppose, of the obligations of being a candidate always on-message, he was by turns funny and philosophical—but most of all, he was looking forward. For Seneca Scott is not one to wallow in the past.
I don’t know what Seneca’s specific plans are. Most likely, he doesn’t either. For a politician and activist, so much depends on rolls of the dice, how events conspire to unfold, of opportunities to be grasped and lessons learned to be applied. But I know this: Oakland hasn’t heard the last of Seneca Scott.
He ran an uphill campaign. One of his opponents, Thao, had all the union money in the world (not that it appears to have done her much good). Loren Taylor, whom Scott respects and likes, had name recognition and his own sources of money. The major media virtually ignored Scott, dismissing him as a minor candidate not worthy of attention. Some outlets, especially Oaklandside, seemed to launch personal attempts to undermine his candidacy.
But never did Scott flinch or back down. He continued to push his agenda: more cops, an implementation of the Encampment Management Policy, citywide Community Gardens run by a new Department of Agriculture, amending the City Charter to allow for a “strong mayor” who could veto the City Council, and in general combatting the disastrous “wokeism” that has been so destructive to public safely and order in Oakland. Scott always describes himself as “post-partisan,” meaning that he borrows the best ideas of both Left and Right, and this, I think, is exactly where a majority of Oaklanders are. It’s too bad he didn’t get the opportunity to implement his ideas.
I know that Seneca has a great deal of gratitude for the people who voted for him and believed in his vision. He’s thankful he had this opportunity of a lifetime. He had a great deal of fun (and it was fun being out there on the hustings with him, watching him work crowds). So to Seneca Scott, I say, Well done, sir. You fought the good fight, and lived to fight again!
Steve Heimoff