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Charles Ramsey may face an uphill battle for the 14th District Assembly seat — especially in Berkeley, where his opponent Loni Hancock (former Berkeley Mayor) is almost a household name. But no one would have guessed it from the turnout and enthusiasm at the Democratic candidate’s reception on Saturday morning.  

Present at Ramsey’s University Avenue campaign headquarters were both Mayor Shirley Dean and Vice-Mayor Maudelle Shirek — the endorsements of both showed his appeal transcended traditional political divisions, he said. 

Dean introduced Ramsey to about 50 enthusiastic supporters, most of whom were heading out to go on precinct walks on behalf of the candidate. 

“This is going to be a tough campaign,” Dean said. “Loni Hancock is well-known in Berkeley. That’s why we have to turn out every single vote — children, the dead, everyone.” 

“We’ve been told that Ms. Hancock, if elected, is going to be involved in local politics. She’s going to be on the side that — doesn’t include me,” Dean added. 

Ramsey was born at Herrick Hospital and attended Berkeley schools throughout childhood. But even still he had given up on campaigning in Berkeley assuming it would automatically go to Hancock — due to her long tenure in Berkeley city politics. But Dean convinced him not to give up. 

“I’ll be damned if we let Berkeley go to someone other than us!” Ramsey shouted, to great applause. 

Later he said endorsements by Dean and Shirek were telling of his political vision. “I’m going to unify Berkeley,” he said. “I’m going to bring all different kinds of people together to the table.” 

He said one of his top priorities was education, and that his well-regarded service on the board of the West Contra Costa Unified School District was the foundation of his campaign. 

“We’re going to take it from the schoolhouse to the statehouse,” he said. 

Ramsey also used the occasion to announce the key political endorsement of Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante. 

Among those in attendance Saturday morning were Councilmember Betty Olds, Planning Commissioners Susan Wengraf and David Tabb, Berkeley School Board president Shirley Issel, Zoning Adjustments Board member Mike Issel and Jerome Wiggins, Alameda County Board of Education trustee. 

Wiggins, who said that he had “dual-endorsed” Ramsey and Hancock, also drove up to the hills to attend the Hancock fundraiser later that afternoon. 

Issel said that while both candidates have strong education credentials, her sensibilities were more in line with Ramsey’s. 

“I think that Berkeley needs to leave the 60s and move into the 21st century,” she said. “Ramsey’s the guy to take us there.” 

Hancock is a founding member of Berkeley Citizens Action, the principal “progressive” political club in the city, which was formed in the early 70s. 

Several Ramsey supporters thought it unjust that the Northern California delegation in Sacramento has no black members. 

“The so-called progressives in Berkeley are always talking about diversity,” said Olds. “Well, here’s there chance to support it.” 

Frank Davis, Jr., president of the Berkeley Black Property Owners Association, said that he supported Ramsey “not because he’s black, but because he’s fair.” 

“He’s not bogged down with this crazy left-wing, rent control thing,” Davis said. 

Reverend Mark Wilson, pastor of the McGee Avenue Baptist Church said that he has seen how important personal relationships are to Ramsey. 

“Political leadership has to do with the way you connect with people,” he said.  

The 14th Assembly District includes Berkeley, El Cerrito, Richmond, Orinda, Moraga, Lafayette and parts of Oakland. The primary election will be held on March 5.