> ## 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. # Who is Berkeley City Council candidate Syrak Micael? - URL: https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/2026/09/25/elections/berkeley-city-council-candidate-syrak-micael/ - Published: 2026-09-25T23:30:33.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-25T23:30:32.000Z - Description: "Locally and in the UC system, we must serve disenfranchised residents and make our community accessible." - Author: Guest Contributor - Tags: Elections, City Council, Community, #articles **Name:** Syrak Micael **Age:** 23 **Occupation:** Community engagement liaison **What office are you are running for?** Berkeley City Council, District 7 **What is the main reason you are running?** As a Black Berkeleyan and lifelong Berkeley resident, I’ve seen the number of people who look like me shrink as I grew older. Locally and in the UC system, we must serve disenfranchised residents and make our community accessible. I’m running to represent students and longtime residents in District 7, which includes campus and most of Southside. As an organizer and student advocate, I’m committed to making the City more affordable for all. **Why are you qualified?** I have lived my whole life in Berkeley and am running to build on the work that I am already doing in my community. In my role in the Associated Students of the University of California (ASUC), I was able to work alongside the “Black Triad,” a collective of Black organizations on campus, to help underserved populations on campus and in the community. As the ASUC Transfer Representative and now Housing Advisory Commissioner, I have fought to prioritize resources for the underserved, and I’ve pushed back on mass surveillance and militarized policing with Berkeley Cop Watch. **What sets you apart from other candidates?** I am a lifelong Berkeley resident. I am the progressive consensus candidate in this election, endorsed by incumbent Councilmember, Cecilia Lunaparra, Berkeley Mayor Adena Ishii, County Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas, and dozens of community leaders and progressive organizations. In this 95% student district, I am the only candidate to be endorsed by elected student leaders or student organizations. **How and when did you end up in Berkeley?** I have lived my entire life in Berkeley! I am a product of public education, having attended BUSD schools and Berkeley City College before transferring to UC Berkeley, where I received my BA in Economics with a Minor in Public Policy in December 2025\. I grew up in the old bounds of District 7 and I am excited be running to represent that same District. **What are the three biggest challenges for Berkeley in the next five years?** Internally, I believe the biggest challenge is our budget deficit. I want to identify progressive sources of revenue so we don’t have to balance our budget on the backs of working people. Externally, I believe the biggest challenges facing our City are: - Cost of living: Rent, food and other necessities go up every year, but wages don’t keep pace. - Affordable housing: Our City has built more housing, but has fallen behind on our affordable housing goals. - Civil liberties: We face an existential threat with Flock cameras and police militarization, which erode our rights without making us safer. **How would you begin to address them?** - Budget deficit: Identify progressive revenue sources. That could include progressive business taxes, a commercial vacancy tax, taxing untaxed parking lots, and other taxes on larger corporations. - Cost of living: Raise the minimum wage to a living wage and do so as part of a coordinated regional strategy. Work with organized labor to ensure dignified working conditions for all. - Affordable housing: Direct investments in affordability, including an affordable housing bond. Strengthen co-ops and land trusts. Defend the Small Sites program from cuts. - Civil liberties: End the City’s contract with Flock Group, which wastes City resources and makes us less safe. Maintain the City’s ban on military grade weapons. Uphold our Sanctuary Status. Preserve strong use of force policies. **What is one new idea you'd like to bring to Berkeley?** I want to push for a commercial vacancy tax so that we can design the City we want to see. Often, landlords price out local businesses and face no penalties for the vacant storefronts that result. Many commercial corridors, especially in Downtown, have had long-term commercial vacancies that detract from the vibrancy of Berkeley. Voters already approved a residential vacancy tax to discourage unwanted behavior from residential landlords. Let’s use this approach for commercial properties. **How will you be accessible to constituents?** Come and talk to me! I will frequently attend community events throughout the District and throughout the City. I will hold regularly scheduled listening sessions and office hours to connect with constituents. I will also hold these at varying dates and times to maximize accessibility. I want to engage in co-governance, which means regular and engaged conversation with the unions, progressive community organizations, and residents that put me in office. **Are you using public financing?** Yes **How much money do you expect to spend on your campaign?** I expect to raise and spend around $61,000, which includes the maximum amount of public financing funds. To date, I am over 80% of the way to that goal. **A final thought?** I have fought to uplift my Berkeley community my entire life. From my experiences mentoring youth soccer, empowering transfer students, and fighting for truly affordable housing, I know what it takes to be a progressive leader. I believe it is crucial that District 7 is represented by someone who has the experience necessary to make concrete change for students and long term residents alike. **Campaign website:** [syrakforsouthside.com](https://www.syrakforsouthside.com/?ref=berkeleyscanner.com) | [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/syrakforsouthside/?ref=berkeleyscanner.com) | [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@syrakforsouthside?ref=berkeleyscanner.com) | [Bluesky](https://bsky.app/profile/syrakforsouthside.bsky.social?ref=berkeleyscanner.com) *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.