Len Raphael is one of two candidates for City Auditor in 2014, running against Brenda Roberts. The incumbent, Courtney Ruby, is currently running for Mayor and has not filed for re-election as auditor.
See Political Positions here.
Bio
Raphael is a CPA with his own accounting business in Oakland since 1986. He is a frequent commentator and participant in civic issues in Oakland. He mounted an unsuccessful campaign for City Council District 1 seat in 2012. In 2011 he was chair of the "No On Measure I" group; Measure I proposed a new parcel tax for Oakland home-owners and was ultimately defeated. He is a co-organizer of SaferTemescal.org, which has organized un-armed private security patrols for the Temescal neighborhood. He is a member of the Coalition for Police Accountability.
Raphael graduated from UC Berkeley Haas School of Business with a BS in Accounting, and from Golden Gate University with an MS in Taxation. He is a resident of Temescal and has two kids who both went to Oakland Technical High School.
Zennie Abraham's Len Raphael Interview: Len Raphael: Oakland City Auditor Race Candidate Interview
2014 Auditor Election
Raphael filed for the city auditor 2014 race in early August 2014, noting no party affiliation. His official candidacy statement from his website (http://www.lensforchange.com/)
"If elected, I will:
- hold City Hall to the highest standards of open government
- alert you to the fiscal impact of City Hall decisions affecting your daily life
- audit the efficiency of all of the City's departments
- efficiently audit the compliance of major outside vendors with our contracts
- give employees confidence that their whistle blowing is followed up; not filed away.
I would be honored to serve as your City Auditor. "
External Links
Website for City Auditor 2014 race: http://www.lensforchange.com/
Facebook page (for City Auditor 2014 race): https://www.facebook.com/lensforchange
Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/lenraphaelcpa
YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/lenraphael
Recent twitter conversation between Len and Pamela Drake regarding Oakland budget and pensions, 8/8/2014: https://storify.com/RedwoodGirl/oakland-pensions-and-budget.
