Voters in Berkeley's District 7, the council district that takes in the UC Berkeley campus and the Southside neighborhood, will pick between two candidates on Nov. 3: Syrak Micael and Aidan Hill. The seat is open because Councilmember Cecilia Lunaparra, elected in 2024 while still an undergraduate, is not seeking another term.
The candidates
Micael, 23, graduated from UC Berkeley in 2025 with a degree in economics and public policy and works as community engagement liaison for the Oakland Roots soccer club, according to his statement filed with the city clerk. He sits on the city's Housing Advisory Commission and is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America. Lunaparra has endorsed him, as have Mayor Adena Ishii, Councilmember Ben Bartlett and Alameda County Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas. Berkeleyside reported that city campaign finance records show Micael has outraised Hill by more than 5 to 1.
Hill, 33, is a medical case manager and Southside resident who ran for this seat in 2018, losing to Rigel Robinson, and ran for mayor in 2020. Hill has served as vice chair of the Berkeley Homeless Commission and is a longtime advocate for People's Park, and has criticized Lunaparra for not pushing back harder on the university's housing project there. Hill's endorsers include Albany Councilmember Robin Lopez, former Berkeley Councilmember Cheryl Davila, and the Peace and Freedom and Forward parties of California.
Where they agree
The two share more than a district. Both came to UC Berkeley as community college transfer students, Berkeleyside noted, and both say the city's housing plan should put preserving existing affordable units and protecting tenants alongside new construction. At a City Hall press conference on Tuesday, both came out against the Berkeley Police Department's use of automated license plate reader cameras. Micael's statement calls housing a human right, while Hill's pledges to protect rent-controlled housing and prioritize sidewalks, lighting, sanitation and disability access.
How to vote
Ballots went out the week of Oct. 5. Berkeley has eight vote centers, two opening Oct. 24 and the rest Oct. 31, according to The Berkeley Scanner. Registration details and drop box locations are available from the Alameda County Registrar of Voters.