Olivia Chen, Author at 350 Bay Area Action

2026 Endorsee

East Palo Alto at Large: Deborah Lewis-Virges

Deborah Lewis-Virges has long been a local leader, both in the congregation she serves as pastor, and in East Palo Alto at large, around issues of social and environmental justice. Running for a seat on the City Council, she wants to apply her experience engaging and motivating community members to the tasks of making housing more affordable, strengthening the local economy, and improving the quality of life for all East Palo Alto residents.

Olivia Chen September 30, 2026

Silja Paymer forMountain View City Council. Woman in t-shirt standing in a field with flowers behind her. Photo credit: Silja Paymer, used with permission.

2026 Endorsee

Mountain View City Council At Large: Silja Paymer

As an engineer, mom, and 12-year high school science teacher, Silja Paymer sees every day how deeply climate change impacts our youth and working families. Recognizing that the city is at a pivotal moment in planning for its future, her decision to run for city council is rooted in the vision of Mountain View as “a vibrant model of ecological resilience, climate justice, and car-free multimodal transit.”

Olivia Chen September 30, 2026

Aysha Pamukcu for South San Francisco District 1. Woman wearing fuchsia-rose blouse, smiling. Photo credit: Aysha Pamucku, used with permission.

2026 Endorsee

South San Francisco City Council District 1: Aysha Pamukcu

Aysha Pamukcu’s career as a public interest lawyer has always revolved around equity and fairness. While her campaign for the South San Francisco City Council centers housing and affordability as her top priorities, she sees a direct link between a healthy, vibrant community and climate issues. “I think of clean energy within a broader vision of a generative economy, where climate resiliency, including energy solutions, is seen as essential to public health and our economic future of shared prosperity.”

Olivia Chen September 30, 2026

2026 Endorsee

Berkeley City Council District 1: Ross Bernet — rank #1

350 Bay Area Action is pleased to endorse Ross Bernet for Berkeley City Council’s District 1.

Ross’ climate plan starts with how Berkeley grows and moves. He wants denser infill housing that relieves the pressure to develop open space, cuts the energy needed to heat and cool homes, and lets people live closer to jobs, transit, and daily needs. As he notes, California’s largest source of emissions is transportation — so Ross wants to reduce vehicle miles traveled by making it safe and easy to get around on foot, bike, or public transit, including building out safe-street infrastructure for Berkeley’s most vulnerable road users.

Olivia Chen September 30, 2026

2026 Endorsee

Antioch City Council District 4: Monica Wilson

We are happy to endorse Monica Wilson for Antioch City Council, where she is running for her fifth term. Monica is a clear and expansive thinker and a proven leader. As a community organizer and a long-time public servant, Monica has worked to build a better, stronger, and more sustainable Antioch.

Olivia Chen September 24, 2026

Chris Herrod for Healdsburg district 4. Man in black shirt sitting, arms folder, warm glint in his eyes. Photo credit: Chris Herrod, used with permission

2026 Endorsee

Healdsburg City Council District 4: Chris Herrod

350 Bay Area Action is proud to endorse Chris Herrod for Healdsburg City Council, District 4. Over the last four years, Chris has been on the city council and has led with a strong commitment to climate action. He played an important role in adopting initiatives such as the Healdsburg Climate Mobilization Strategy in 2023, and the city’s Active Transportation Plan in 2024.

Olivia Chen September 24, 2026

Mathew Lopez for Healdsburg City Council district 2. Young man in cap looking at camera. Photo credit: Mathew Lopez, used with permission.

2026 Endorsee

Healdsburg City Council District 2: Mathew Lopez

350 Bay Area Action is proud to endorse Mathew Lopez for Healdsburg City Council, District 2. Over the last four years, Mathew has volunteered extensively with local climate organizations such as Climate Action Healdsburg. He has participated in initiatives such as the development of the Healdsburg Climate Mobilization Strategy and the City’s Active Transportation Plan.

Olivia Chen September 23, 2026

2026 Endorsee

San Ramon City Council District 2: Richard Adler

350 Bay Area Action is happy to endorse Richard Adler in his run for a full term on the San Ramon City Council. He was appointed in January 2025 to fill the remainder of Mayor Mark Armstrong’s council term.

Olivia Chen September 23, 2026

2026 Endorsee

San Anselmo Town Council at large: Steve Burdo

Having first been elected to San Anselmo’s Town Council in 2019, and currently serving as Mayor, Steve Burdo is justifiably proud of the town’s commitment to climate action. “Our town’s Climate Action Plan goes far beyond what most towns/cities have, if they even have one.” The plan lays out specific measures to achieve a 54% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2045, including transportation electrification and renewable-energy expansion, while incorporating adaptation measures for wildfires, flooding, and heat waves.

Olivia Chen September 17, 2026

Charlene Wang for Oakland City Council district 2. Charlene is smiling at the camera, a blurred background of China Town, Oakland. Charlene Wang, used with permission.

2026 Endorsee

Oakland City Council District 2: Charlene Wang

Charlene Wang brings a wealth of public service experience along with the perspective of an East Bay native to her campaign for reelection to Oakland’s city council. After graduating from Columbia University—with a degree in environmental engineering—and Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, she stayed on the East Coast for some time, crafting health care, transportation, and housing policy for local elected officials and the federal government; this period also included a stint at the Environmental Protection Agency, where she worked in pursuit of environmental justice.

Olivia Chen September 17, 2026