Time for Change
We have a choice to make on March 5th, a choice based on who will best promote our common good in District 4. If re-elected, Nate Miley will continue to operate as he has for the last 24 years, without accountability. Jennifer Esteen is a nurse, community activist, and the first serious challenge to Miley's reign. Esteen lives in Ashland and knows firsthand the pressing issues we face in unincorporated areas, including the worsening crises in housing, mental health, and crime. Miley, who lives in Oakland, sides with big landlords over renters. His vote killed simple tenant protections that had already passed a first vote before the deaths of Supervisors Chan and Valle. Esteen cares about tenants and homeowners. She is endorsed by the Oakland Tenants Union and the California Democratic Renters Council. She will focus on preventative community-based mental health care diverting those in need from expensive emergency room visits and jail. Esteen listens to the needs of community members. Miley ignored the pleas of over two hundred District 4 residents to unite the unincorporated areas as well as the tri-valley areas during the 2021 redistricting process. Miley has opposed a county code of ethics and the creation of an independent commission to implement the redistricting process. He twice refused calls to establish an Ethics Review Board for the Board of Supervisors. Esteen will work to establish an Ethics Review Board immediately upon election.
Campaign donations matter. As of February 20th Miley has received over $550,000 in total campaign dollars. Miley's top contributors include the California Apartment Association (CAA) which gave $15,000 in campaign donations, nearly $60,000 for anti-Esteen ads, and $55,000 for pro-Miley ads. The CAA has spent millions to fight tenant protections. Special interest and corporate donors to Miley include housing developers, petroleum companies, and the County deputy sheriffs union. Corporate and special interest donors expect much more than access to discuss their issues. Esteen takes money from individuals, not from special interest groups. Hers is a grassroots campaign that continues to build momentum in numbers and energy.
After 24 years, it is time to pass the torch to the next generation, Jennifer Esteen!
–Deborah Yager, Castro Valley
