Carole Ward Allen, a third contender for the seat says the city is tired of “status quo” leaders. Allen is an administrator at Laney College and former president of the Oakland Port Commission. If elected, she says she will focus on education. Allen adds that the city needs to get more community input before decisions are made

But Miley says during the time he has represented District 6, there has been an increase in community involvement among residents.

Miley has taken a number of controversial stands during his tenure on the city council. He is a supporter of Oakland Cannabis Buyer's Co-op. And as chairman of the city's Public Safety Committee, Miley took the lead in creating a new Oakland law allowing police to seize cars of suspected drug dealers and people who solicit prostitutes — even without a criminal conviction. It was the first municipal law of its kind in California.

“We haven't been successful in stopping drug dealers, so we're trying to dry up the market,” says Miley

The first suit challenging the law has been filed, and the American Civil Liberties Union says the ordinance overreaches California law. But Miley says Oakland will continue the program unless the state forced it to stop.

“I've tried a lot of things the community didn't like or the city council didn't support or that were challenged in court,” Miley says. “My philosophy isn't to sit back and twiddle my thumbs.”

Miley says Eastmont Town Center, which he has called his “Achilles' heel,” is among the host of problems that have plagued his district since before he was a council member. What used to be a bustling shopping center is now a dreary, partially-filled mall, anchored by a dollar store.

During his last term, Miley secured $18 million in funding for the mall. AC Transit is now planning to build a new bus transfer station here. DeVries says he plans call for transforming Eastmont Town Center from a retail mall into a community center. The hope is that an increase in foot traffic will help boost the mall's faltering stores.

Sidebotham disagrees with Miley's approach. She says the district requires more tax revenues, which the new tenants aren't likely to provide. The new people attracted to the mall by county services aren't likely to have the shopping dollars the mall needs, she argues.

If he is re-elected, Miley says his other priorities will include housing and transportation issues Though the long hours of running a campaign make spending time with his son and daughter difficult, Miley says his long-term goal is to stay in office.

He says one day he might even run for mayor.