Currently in his second term on the City Council, Oakland Councilmember Dan Kalb is known as a hard-working, committed public servant and community advocate, always looking to make life better for the people of Oakland.
Throughout his distinguished career, Dan has worked as a policy director; environmental, public interest, and social justice advocate; progressive reformer and faithful community service volunteer. In his seven years on the Oakland City Council, Dan has earned his reputation as a proactive and effective Councilmember. For example, Dan:
-
Secured millions of dollars in annual funds for affordable housing;
-
Authored the city's Tenant Protection Ordinance and other anti-displacement laws;
-
Authored the charter ballot measure to create a civilian Police Commission;
-
Wrote the ordinance to ban the storage and handling of coal in Oakland;
-
Created an innovative City-OUSD partnership to reduce chronic absenteeism in our public schools.
In 2020, Dan is running for re-election to the City Council to continue building on the progress we’ve made and to address our city’s real challenges head-on.
He was chosen by his colleagues to be the President Pro Tempore of the City Council. In addition to his work on the Council, Dan serves as the City's official representative to StopWaste—Alameda County's Recycling and Waste Authority, and is the Chairperson of the East Bay Community Energy (EBCE) authority. He also serves on the boards of the League of California Cities (including the League's Housing Committee) and the Local Government Commission.
From 2003-2012, Dan was the full-time California Policy Director with the Union of Concerned Scientists. In this capacity, Dan led efforts on climate change, renewable energy, air quality, green jobs, and clean transportation issues. Dan also worked in partnership with trade unions to jointly sponsor climate change legislation, putting greater focus on local benefits, particularly for workers and those living in disadvantaged communities, thereby putting environmental justice at the forefront of climate action.
Previously, Dan was a Chapter Director of the Sierra Club, where he worked to protect open spaces, fight for environmental health and justice, and protect our precious San Francisco Bay.
As a past staff member for California Common Cause, Dan fought to reform our campaign finance laws and enhance transparency in local and state government. He continues to be a strong supporter of 'clean money' elections, and has in years past worked for stronger consumer protections.
Dan worked for over five years at a Bay Area community college as a campus staff administrator, helping students and faculty troubleshoot issues that arose on campus. Dan knows that our community colleges in the East Bay are a critical part of our public education system.
With a deep background in social and environmental justice, Dan is committed to promoting data-driven solutions to the toughest problems facing our communities, including resolving the Oakland’s housing affordability and homelessness crisis, enhancing wildfire prevention and disaster resiliency, acting locally to combat climate change, investing seriously in public safety, police reform and rehabilitation, and setting the table for our youth. Dan as the proven policy-making and institutional budget experience to continue as our champion at City Hall.
Over the years, Dan served on the Jewish Community Relations Council board of directors and co-led the Isaiah Project, which brought together young adults in the African American and Jewish communities to advance social justice and enhance cultural understanding. Additionally, Dan served on the Youth Leadership and Community Safety Strategic Planning Task Force in 2012 for the Oakland Fund for Children and Youth (OFCY). Dan also volunteers with Rebuilding Together Oakland.
Dan received a Baccalaureate of Science degree in Conservation of Natural Resources from U.C. Berkeley and a Masters of Public Administration from the University of San Francisco. He also has ten years experience as a community mediator resolving neighborhood disputes.
Dan was named the Best Good Government Politician in 2014 by the East Bay Express, and received the California Public Library Advocates’ 2015 Outstanding Elected Official award for advocacy on behalf of Oakland public libraries. In 2020, Dan was honored by East Bay Housing Organizations (EBHO) as an Affordable Housing Champion.
Dan is committed to serving the public with dedication and integrity—something he learned from his father, Marcus. Dan's mother Charlotte Levine lived in Oakland until passing away in 2015. Dan and his wife Valarie, a State Public Defender, enjoy hiking in our beautiful East Bay Regional Parks in their free time.
