Public Ethics Commission Special Meeting: LPF Fund Determination, August 14, 2026
Public Ethics Commission Special Meeting: LPF Fund Determination, August 14, 2026
On Friday, August 14, 2026, at 6:30 p.m., the Oakland Public Ethics Commission (PEC) held a special meeting to determine the distribution of funds under the Limited Public Financing (LPF) Act for the November 2026 City Council district elections. The commission unanimously found that the election campaign fund contained sufficient money to provide the maximum allowable amount ($48,000 per candidate) to all four eligible candidates, marking the first time since the program’s inception in 2010 that full funding was possible. The meeting also included an open forum and a welcome to the new program manager.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Jesse Lucas (founder of Fused Gaming, creator of DTravel) introduced himself during open forum, noting his background in technology and his skills that could complement candidates’ campaigns. He expressed interest in procurement opportunities and stated he would prepare bids in the future.
Discussion Items
- Limited Public Financing Act Program 2026 (Item 4): Staff presented that five candidates had qualified for the ballot in Districts 2, 4, and 6, but the candidate in District 4 was unopposed and therefore ineligible per LPF Act requirements. The four remaining eligible candidates (two in District 2, two in District 6) would each be eligible for up to $48,000 (30% of the $160,000 voluntary expenditure ceiling). The total available for distribution after administrative costs was $210,437, which exceeded the $192,000 needed if all four opted in. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the fund’s history (typically ~$150,000 per cycle) and noted a discrepancy between the LPF Act version in the packet and the amended version in the guide. Staff acknowledged the outdated Muni Code text but confirmed the correct sunset provisions were in the guide. The commission discussed the importance of public financing in leveling the playing field, especially after the postponement of the Democracy Dollars program.
Key Outcomes
- Unanimous vote (6-0): The commission determined that the election campaign fund is adequate to provide the maximum amount of money to all potentially eligible candidates. Commissioners present: Luke Apfeld (aye), Tanya Bayeva (aye), L. Lawrence Brandon (aye), Angi Fisher (aye), Ryan Micik (aye), and Chair Francis Upton IV (aye). Vice Chair Karun Tilak was absent. The decision allows candidates to opt in by August 24, 2026, to receive up to $48,000 in public financing reimbursements for qualified campaign expenditures.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, K Top, can we start recording? Welcome everyone to this special meeting of the Oakland Public Ethics Commission. The meeting has started at 6 30 p.m. I'm Commission Chair Francis Upton. I will be presiding over today's meeting. As a reminder to those in attendance, the Public Ethics Commission is an independent agency of the city of Oakland that works to promote more inclusive, representative, and accountable democracy in Oakland and to promote fairness, openness, and honesty integrity in city government. We'll begin with item one taking the role. Commissioners can please indicate if you're here as I call your name. It's not here. Commissioner Apfeld. Present. Commissioner Baeva. Present. Commissioner Brandon. Present. Commissioner Fisher. Here. Commissioner Mitchik. Here. And I'm here. So we have a quorum. I also note that the following staff are present. Our program manager and new program manager, Karina Liu. Is that how you say it? Liu. Liu, thank you. Ethics analyst Jelani Killings and Ethics Analyst Um Wana Chaudari and our counsel, uh, Deputy City City Attorney Luby. Um, are there any staff or commission announcements? Just to the chair, you just announced it, but just definitely want to welcome our new colleague, uh, Karina as the new program manager with the commission. Um definitely want to give an opportunity just for her to say hello to the commission. Oh, perfect. Thank you. Thank you, Jay Lani. Um hi, it's nice to all meet you all. Thank you so much for being here on a Friday night. I'm excited to work with you all on Democracy Dollars implementation. So look forward to it. Thank you. Thank you. Any other staff? I'm just welcome. Thank you for being here. Other announcements. Okay, we will now move to item three, open forum. Before we start, I want to go over the public comment process so that we all know what to expect. Member of the public may speak on any item appearing on the agenda. If you wish to speak during open forum on an item that is on our agenda tonight, please stay seated until that item is called, and when I open the floor for public comment on the item to come come to the podium. Tonight, we will also be accepting comment public comments from participants joining via Zoom and by phone. When an item is called that you wish to comment on, please use the raise hand feature on Zoom or press star nine if you're participating by phone. When it is your turn to speak, staff will call your name and unmute your line.
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