> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Election 2026: Who is running for Berkeley Council District 1? - URL: https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/2026/09/24/community/election-2026-who-is-running-for-berkeley-council-district-1/ - Published: 2026-09-24T23:34:47.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-25T00:26:44.000Z - Description: We posed a dozen questions to all five candidates running for the Berkeley City Council District 1 seat in November 2026. - Author: Emilie Raguso - Tags: Community, Elections, City Council, #articles Five people are vying for the District 1 seat on the Berkeley City Council in November, with [Rashi Kesarwani](https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/2026/04/09/community/rashi-kesarwani-berkeley-city-council-will-not-run-again/) stepping down. In ballot order, they are Steve Kromer, Daria Wrubel, Laura Babitt, Ross Bernet and Moni Gangopadhyay. We sent each candidate the same set of questions. Here's what they said. [Who is Berkeley City Council candidate Steve Kromer?“I’d like to help get past the problems and enjoy planning the future.”![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8e/3b/8e3bb516-9b88-46c2-aa85-566ed9c3647c/content/images/icon/The-Berkeley-Scanner_Icon_Color-aa9c1ed6-cabb-4f75-8860-3e537c347f1a.jpg)The Berkeley ScannerGuest Contributor![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8e/3b/8e3bb516-9b88-46c2-aa85-566ed9c3647c/content/images/thumbnail/Steve-Kromer-extended-jsk-1-f1f394a7-244f-447c-9d89-959beca7f250.jpg)](https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/2026/09/24/elections/berkeley-city-council-candidate-steve-kromer/) [Who is Berkeley City Council candidate Daria Wrubel?“Now more than ever, Berkeley needs to stand strong as a place of hope, resistance, and community.”![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8e/3b/8e3bb516-9b88-46c2-aa85-566ed9c3647c/content/images/icon/The-Berkeley-Scanner_Icon_Color-f5416fbe-2cd5-4949-bc95-d8036dd6b8cf.jpg)The Berkeley ScannerGuest Contributor![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8e/3b/8e3bb516-9b88-46c2-aa85-566ed9c3647c/content/images/thumbnail/Daria-Wrubel-7fb20033-b059-40c6-8d12-f790fe65dd68.jpg)](https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/2026/09/24/elections/berkeley-city-council-candidate-daria-wrubel/) [Who is Berkeley City Council candidate Laura Babitt?“I’m ready to bring my governing and financial experience to City Council to turn our priorities into results.”![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8e/3b/8e3bb516-9b88-46c2-aa85-566ed9c3647c/content/images/icon/The-Berkeley-Scanner_Icon_Color-de9de72b-c69f-4d99-93fb-4ac544b99be1.jpg)The Berkeley ScannerGuest Contributor![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8e/3b/8e3bb516-9b88-46c2-aa85-566ed9c3647c/content/images/thumbnail/Laura-Babitt-Berkeley-School-Board-Photo-4883d4a4-5eaa-48ee-a195-2b9da3ec7a21.jpg)](https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/2026/09/24/elections/berkeley-city-council-candidate-laura-babitt/) [Who is Berkeley City Council candidate Ross Bernet?“I’m running to make Berkeley more affordable, create safer streets, grow our tax base, and provide efficient city services.”![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8e/3b/8e3bb516-9b88-46c2-aa85-566ed9c3647c/content/images/icon/The-Berkeley-Scanner_Icon_Color-f2c35231-81c9-4e15-be66-e5fd2eb105b1.jpg)The Berkeley ScannerGuest Contributor![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8e/3b/8e3bb516-9b88-46c2-aa85-566ed9c3647c/content/images/thumbnail/Ross-Bernet-family-landscape-7d6d6e21-cb19-4b1c-ad5c-2077667fc06d.jpg)](https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/2026/09/24/elections/berkeley-city-council-candidate-ross-bernet/) [Who is Berkeley City Council candidate Moni Gangopadhyay?“We should not balance our budget on the backs of working people and the financially vulnerable.”![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8e/3b/8e3bb516-9b88-46c2-aa85-566ed9c3647c/content/images/icon/The-Berkeley-Scanner_Icon_Color-3c6f227d-0252-4cd1-abff-ce094bb49d91.jpg)The Berkeley ScannerGuest Contributor![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8e/3b/8e3bb516-9b88-46c2-aa85-566ed9c3647c/content/images/thumbnail/Moni-Campaign-Photo-Sunset-082726-fdd1b483-d2ed-42eb-a693-e3a33cf415d5.jpg)](https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/2026/09/24/elections/berkeley-city-council-candidate-moni-gangopadhyay/) ## When is the next Berkeley City Council candidate forum? The [League of Women Voters of Berkeley, Albany and Emeryville](https://www.lwvbae.org/?ref=berkeleyscanner.com) will hold Berkeley City Council events Sept. 28 (Districts 1 and 4) and Sept. 30 (Districts 7 and 8). [**Register online**](https://www.lwvbae.org/league-news/candidate-forums-2026/?ref=berkeleyscanner.com) ## Election 2026: When can we vote? Early voting starts Oct. 5 and [vote-by-mail ballots go out that week](https://www.facebook.com/CaliforniaSOS/posts/ca-voters-counties-will-begin-mailing-ballots-no-later-than-october-5th-you-can-/1498263055674501/). Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. ## How do I register to vote? Get full details from the [Alameda County registrar of voters](https://acvote.alamedacountyca.gov/voting/register-to-vote?ref=berkeleyscanner.com) (ROV). ## Where and how can I vote? Berkeley has [eight vote centers](https://alamedacountyca.gov/rov%5Fapp/vcalist?electionid=260&ref=berkeleyscanner.com#pollingLocationDiv%5FBerkeley). Two open Oct. 24 and the rest open Oct. 31. See a list of other [vote centers](https://alamedacountyca.gov/rov%5Fapp/vcalist?electionid=260&ref=berkeleyscanner.com) and [ballot drop boxes](https://alamedacountyca.gov/rovapps/maps/ballotdropbox%5Fmap.htm?ref=berkeleyscanner.com). Learn more from the [secretary of state](https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/where-and-how?ref=berkeleyscanner.com) (SOS). ## How many registered voters does Berkeley have? Berkeley has 75,944 registered voters, according to the ROV. *See complete* [*election*](https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/topic/elections/) *coverage on The Berkeley Scanner.* ## Sign up for The Berkeley Scanner Authoritative public safety and politics news coverage in Berkeley, CA Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.