John Baulters
Candidate for Alameda County Supervisor
Currently on Emeryville City Council
Emeryville, California
What was the first major issue that got you into public service as a politician?
I’ve spent my career as a nonprofit professional, and through this work, I’ve witnessed our system fail
people when they need it most. As a former eviction defense attorney and homelessness services
provider — and someone who experienced housing insecurity as a young adult — I have both the lived
and professional experience necessary to rebuild these failing systems and address the root causes of
the issues facing Alameda County. Providing and protecting access to housing, along with homeless
services, was the first major issue that got me involved in public service.
Creating this systemic change drove me to run for Emeryville City Council, where I have served since
2016 — including three years as Mayor. I couldn’t be prouder of all that we have accomplished over
the past eight years. Lifting families out of poverty and creating more livable communities were at the
center of my vision, and our accomplishments reflect this goal. I spearheaded a $50 million affordable
housing initiative that helped make Emeryville one of the few Bay Area cities to meet its housing
goals. Thanks to concerted outreach efforts, Emeryville has reduced homelessness by 74% since 2020.
Together, I know we can expand this vision and record of results to the county level, ensuring all
residents of Alameda County benefit from safer, more equitable neighborhoods.
What is the core of your platform that represents you today?
As an LGBTQ+ leader, inclusion, acceptance, healing, empathy, and justice are the values that guide
how I lead. My platform is centered around these core values with the goal of building more affordable,
inclusive, and safe neighborhoods across Alameda County.
Alameda County is in the midst of a homelessness crisis. Drawing upon my experience in delivering
nonprofit homeless services, I’ll work to create more shelters with expanded services for mental health
and substance abuse so we can help people get the care they need. Affordable housing is another cornerstone of my platform. Building upon the work we have done in Emeryville to reach our affordable housing goals, I’ll continue to build housing for the homeless, foster youth, working families, seniors, and other vulnerable populations. Members of the LGBTQ+ community are disproportionately vulnerable to housing insecurity, and I will always work to ensure that they receive the support and resources they deserve.
What is the thing you are most proud of achieving thus far?
I am a strong proponent of creating safer and more efficient transportation options to build more livable
communities throughout the county. As a public transit rider and active travel commuter, I believe
strongly in the importance of safe, equitable transportation choices for all ages and abilities in our
community. As Chair of the Alameda County Transportation Commission and Council Member in the
City of Emeryville, this has been one of my greatest priorities and proudest accomplishments over the
past eight years in office. I championed the county’s first Race & Equity Action Plan in 2022, which
centers our actions around achieving just and equitable community participation, investments, and outcomes. Last year, I led the effort to adopt a Countywide Bikeways Plan — a 400-mile connected
network of safe bicycle infrastructure, the first of its kind for the county. I am nationally known as
“America’s Bike Mayor” for my work advancing safe streets in my community, and I partner with
community-based organizations around the country to elevate communication and dialogue about the
safety and health benefits of equitable transportation choices. I plan to bring this vision to the Board of
Supervisors, expand my current advocacy, and ensure all of Alameda County benefits from more
accessible and environmentally friendly transportation options and safer, more livable communities.
What goals do you still have to accomplish?
One of my priorities is to improve the hiring and retention of social workers, counselors, clinicians, and
behavioral health workers for low-income people. LGBTQ+ people are disproportionately represented
among this cohort, especially among those experiencing homelessness or living with substance use
disorders. One of the most important ways to serve the LGBTQ+ community — and others — is to
ensure that we have adequate, competent staff providing essential social services across the county.
This is an important part of my platform that will meaningfully impact the LGBTQ+ community.
What is the highest level you want to reach before leaving public office?
I’m not your typical elected official. I’m a former eviction defense attorney, homelessness services
provider, and victims’ advocate with the goal of enacting change on a systemic level. I’ve
accomplished exactly that on the Emeryville City Council by delivering affordable housing, improving
neighborhood safety, addressing homelessness, and more. I’m running for Supervisor to enact this
vision for change at the county level and plan to remain in public office as long as I am continuing to
deliver results for my constituents and community. I care deeply about human services, housing, and
healthcare, which are the primary responsibilities of the county government. I believe that this office is
where I can do the most good for my community.
Who inspires you to keep fighting even when the battles seem too much?
Youth. As an LGBTQ youth, I felt invisible. I felt that the government was not accessible and that
services and programs were not designed with me, my needs, and interests in mind. When I first ran for
office, I committed to prioritizing young people, including elevating their voices and needs. I regularly
face opposition from people defending street parking over safe and protected bike routes to school, or
“Community character” over new housing that would make housing more affordable and accessible to
young people, or those arguing against new laws or regulations that would address our climate
emergency and keep the planet livable for future generations. I am regularly challenged by those who
do not want to change the status quo. Youth are fighting for a livable future inclusive of them. I see
them, am inspired by them, and am reminded that a primary reason I pursued public service was to give
them a voice too.
Who is your role model from history in public service?
A person I deeply admire for their history of public service is former President Jimmy Carter. Public
service should, at its core, be about humanity, community-building, and humility. President Carter’s
dedication to community, his work helping house others, and his promotion of environmental justice
were so fundamental to who he was as a person that they transcended his role as President and
continued for many decades after he left office. He returned to his small Georgia community, taught
Bible school every Sunday, and was incredibly devoted to his wife and family. To me, his life is an
exemplary model of what it means to have a servant heart and one I try to emulate through my own
work, skills, talents, and efforts every day. For me, who you are as a human being is more important
than who you are as a politician when it comes to public service.
What advice do you have for the community to help make change happen, beyond voting?
While voting is critically important, there are innumerable ways to show up for your community every
single day. If there is a cause that you are particularly passionate about, I encourage you to get involved
with a local organization and community members working to tackle that issue on a local level.
I also believe that we need to work collectively to claim space for ourselves and for each other —
especially in the face of increased hate and discrimination toward the LGBTQ+ community. In 2018,
when a high school in Kentucky refused to allow Christian Bales the opportunity to read his
valedictorian speech because he was gender non-conforming, I arranged to bring him and his family to
our city, where he delivered his speech at a large city Pride celebration. We must always work together
to promote and support inclusivity, visibility, and safe space for LGBTQ+ people and their families.
