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Stating that now is not the time, Oakland Vice Mayor Jane Brunner dropped her bid for Dion Aroner’s 14th District Assembly seat this weekend.  

Brunner’s campaign suffered a blow when the state Assembly redrew its district lines in September. The realignment excluded her Rockridge house of 25 years from the 14th District by less than two blocks.  

“The simple fact that my home and most of my council district were gerrymandered out of the 14th Assembly district contributed to my conclusion that this is not my time,” Brunner said in a prepared statement. “However, my highest priorities at this time are the revitalization of downtown Oakland, building affordable housing, promoting the restoration of our parks and creeks, continuing the improvement of Oakland schools and improving fire safety. These are issues best solved at the local level.” 

The race for the Democratic nomination is now wide open. Former Berkeley mayor Loni Hancock and Oakland attorney and Richmond resident Charles Ramsey are both running. Berkeley City Councilmember Kriss Worthington bowed out of the race to support Hancock. 

Aroner is also supporting Hancock. Former Alameda County supervisor Warren Widener, along with former Berkeley councilmember Mary Wainwright is supporting Ramsey.