Candidate Profile: Majdi Gaith Abuhamdieh
Age: 37
Occupation: Policy analyst & business owner
Office Running For: Berkeley City Council, District 4
Main Message
“I am running because working families, tenants, students, and small businesses deserve better.”
Background
Majdi Gaith Abuhamdieh grew up between San Francisco and Napa Valley and relocated to Berkeley to attend UC Berkeley, where he has lived for about ten years. He is a renter, small business owner, and father, deeply invested in the Berkeley community.
Qualifications
- Over a decade of experience in trust and safety policy with a focus on community safety and civil rights.
- Served on the Berkeley Peace and Justice Commission.
- Owns a family coffee business, Jaffa Coffee Roasters, providing insight into the city’s bureaucratic challenges.
Unique Selling Points
- Non-Career Politician: Unlike his opponent, the Deputy Mayor, Majdi does not accept big developer donations, prioritizing grassroots support.
- Civic Engagement Focus: He emphasizes realistic promises and effective communication with constituents, rather than political rhetoric.
Key Issues & Solutions
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Housing:
- Strengthen and extend the vacancy tax for empty homes and storefronts.
- Support community land trusts and tenant rights.
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Small Business Survival:
- Create a digital one-stop shop for permits and licenses to simplify the process for business owners.
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Public Safety:
- Reintroduce mobile crisis teams for mental health situations.
- Strengthen police accountability while opposing surveillance measures.
Future Vision for Berkeley
- Business Development: Introduce a digital portal to assist entrepreneurs with navigating governmental processes, aiming to support local commerce.
- Community Accessibility: Commit to holding office hours in various neighborhoods, ensuring constituents have direct access to their council member.
Campaign Financing
- Plans to spend between $60,000 and $70,000 by election day, supplemented by public matching funds.
Final Thoughts
Majdi positions himself as a leader who listens to his constituents and advocates for actionable solutions to the challenges facing District 4. He aims to represent the voices of all residents and foster a more inclusive, responsive government.
Campaign Website & Social Media
See complete election coverage on The Berkeley Scanner.
