Carla Woodworth · Parker · D8 Council Member (Ret)
Michael Wallman for Berkeley City Council, District 8
Berkeley City Council · District 8
Change is on the way.
As a lifelong Berkeley resident, I can say decisively that our city needs urgent change, grounded in common sense policy and leadership that truly delivers results.
What I'm focused on
Housing: Welcoming new neighbors while preserving what makes Berkeley special
I support more affordable housing and thoughtful development that respects our neighborhoods in Elmwood.
Public Safety and Privacy: Advancing both
We can improve public safety while protecting privacy and civil liberties.
Claremont Avenue: Designing improvements with the community
I support safer, more accessible streets for everyone who walks, bikes, drives, or visits local businesses.
Budget and Taxes: Building a stronger partnership with UC Berkeley
Renegotiating the City’s agreement with UC Berkeley is a priority!
Technology: Making City services work better
I will draw on my engineering experience to help simplify permitting, improve access to services, and use public resources effectively—making City government easier to navigate for residents and local businesses.
With targeted upzoning, this is what the Elmwood would look like at 7 stories. And remember, buildings can go even taller if developers use California's State Density Bonus Law.
A District 8 candidate endorses Michael
Fred Feller left the race.
He's backing Wallman.
“My supporters and I whole-heartedly endorse Michael Wallman for District 8. We suggest ranked-choice voting for Michael Wallman as #1 and Mari Mendonca as #2.”
Fred FellerAttorney · Former District 8 candidateAbout Me
Berkeley is central to my story.
My parents — a Lebanese mother and Finnish father — met as graduate students at the International House. Born in Oakland, they brought me home as a newborn to a small apartment on Dwight Way. Soon after, we moved near Lawrence Hall, where my two sisters arrived. My mother worked as a librarian for the City of Berkeley and for the Berkeley public schools, and my father was a scientist and lecturer at Cal. Lacking any extended family in the U.S., our immediate neighbors and local community became my family.
I attended all of Berkeley's public schools, community college, and UC Berkeley, earning a degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, and Material Science. While in college, I worked as a lab tech in downtown Berkeley and in the restaurant industry. Since graduating, I have helped found Berkeley-based startups and worked in big tech.
Today, my wife — a first-generation Mexican-American from East Oakland — and I are raising our two children on Panoramic Hill. We care for my mother-in-law in our home, while my mother and stepdad live near Monterey Market. Caring for this community is deeply personal to me.
Why I'm Running
Berkeley needs better.
For years, we have endured long and uncoordinated road and sidewalk closures, blocks of vacant storefronts, littered streets, failing infrastructure, unbalanced budgets, and leadership that is out of touch with local realities.
Despite adding thousands of housing units, rents remain high; meanwhile, BART and AC Transit ridership, along with school district enrollment, have all declined. While our leaders promised a car-free future supported by bikes and transit, the reality is a wave of ride-share and delivery drivers, sidewalks cluttered with electric scooters, crumbling roads, and a decade of development that has failed to lower costs in any meaningful way.
To build an equitable and vibrant Berkeley, we must reject this trajectory. The city needs representatives who understand new AI technologies, who rely on verified data for decision-making, who listen to their constituents, who can create local jobs, and who speak out against injustice, wherever it may lie. If you support this vision for our future, I ask for your vote.
Rank Wallman 1st.
Rank Mendonca 2nd.
District 8 uses ranked-choice voting. On your ballot, fill in the 1st-column oval next to Michael Wallman and the 2nd-column oval next to Mari Mendonca — and leave the rest blank.
Why Mari Mendonca
“I'm supporting Mari because of her unrelenting commitment and dedication to Berkeley and its people.”
Your second choice never hurts your first: it only counts if your first choice is eliminated. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3.
Moonshots
Big ideas for all of Berkeley
These reach beyond District 8. They're long shots that would take real partnership to pull off — and they'd make the whole city better.
Frequently Asked
Quick answers about the race
Who is Michael Wallman?
Michael Wallman is a lifelong Berkeley resident and engineer running for Berkeley City Council, District 8, in the November 3, 2026 election.
What district is Michael Wallman running for?
Berkeley City Council, District 8.
When is the election?
Election Day is November 3, 2026.
Who is Michael Wallman running against?
Michael Wallman is challenging incumbent District 8 Councilmember Mark Humbert.
What are Michael Wallman's top priorities?
Small business, housing that stays affordable, and holding UC Berkeley accountable as a neighbor — plus protecting tenants from displacement, wildfire safety in the hills, and smarter, privacy-respecting policing.
How can I donate to Michael Wallman's campaign?
Online via ActBlue or by check at wallmandistrict8.com/donate. Berkeley residents giving $10–$60 can have their contribution matched 6-to-1 through the city's Fair Elections program.
How can I volunteer for the campaign?
Sign up at wallmandistrict8.com/join.
How do I contact the campaign?
Email info@wallmandistrict8.com or use the contact form at wallmandistrict8.com/contact.
Look It Up Yourself
Official sources for District 8 voters.