Oakland's wealthiest neighborhoods have emerged as the primary financial backers of Kamala Harris and Joe Biden's presidential campaigns, contributing over $5.2 million since 2022. In contrast, Donald Trump has raised just $236,000 in the same zip codes, a mere fraction of his opponents' haul. This geographic pattern of campaign contributions reflects the political leanings of Oakland's hills residents, who have long been a reliable source of campaign cash in local elections.

Affluent Oakland Neighborhoods Fuel Democratic Dominance in Presidential Fundraising

Kamala Harris and Joe Biden Dominate Fundraising in Oakland

Since 2022, Oaklanders, along with residents of neighboring cities like Piedmont and Emeryville that share zip codes with Oakland, have contributed upwards of $5.2 million to the Kamala Harris and Joe Biden presidential campaigns. In contrast, Donald Trump has raised just $236,000 in the same zip codes, a mere 22 times less than the combined total for Harris and Biden.

Harris is benefitting most from contributors who live in Oakland's wealthiest neighborhoods. Her largest source of contributions is from the 94611 zip code, which overlaps with neighborhoods around Piedmont Avenue and Montclair, as well as much of the city of Piedmont. Residents of hills neighborhoods, from Rockridge to Dimond to Redwood Heights, and the neighborhoods just above Lake Merritt, provided her and Biden's other biggest geographic bases of support.

Similarly, most of the money Trump has raised in Oakland is from hills residents, but the zip code that's given him the most support actually covers Adams Point, Grand Lake, and Trestle Glen. However, even in this neighborhood, Harris and Biden have far more contributors, 3,114 to 61, and they've raised seven times the money.

Oakland's Affluent Neighborhoods Have Long Been a Reliable Source of Campaign Cash

These geographic patterns of campaign contributions aren't surprising. In local elections, the 94611, 94618, and 94610 zip codes have long been big sources of campaign cash, according to a 2020 report by the Public Ethics Commission.

The dominance of Kamala Harris and Joe Biden in Oakland's fundraising landscape reflects the political leanings of the city's affluent hills residents. These neighborhoods have consistently supported Democratic candidates in local, state, and national elections, providing a reliable source of campaign contributions to fuel their electoral success.

The stark contrast between the fundraising totals of the Democratic and Republican candidates in Oakland underscores the deep political divide that exists within the city. While the hills neighborhoods have emerged as a stronghold for the Democratic Party, other parts of Oakland have a more diverse political landscape, with pockets of support for Republican candidates.

Mapping the Geographical Patterns of Campaign Contributions

Oaklanders and residents of neighboring cities can view an interactive map of Harris/Biden and Trump campaign contributions for Oakland, the Bay Area, and the entire nation on the Washington Post's website. This tool provides a visual representation of the geographic patterns of campaign contributions, allowing users to better understand the political dynamics at play in the region.

The data gathered and analyzed by the Washington Post offers valuable insights into the fundraising landscape of the 2022 presidential election. By examining the geographic distribution of campaign contributions, researchers and policymakers can gain a deeper understanding of the factors that influence political engagement and support within a community.

As the 2024 presidential election cycle approaches, the data on campaign contributions in Oakland and the surrounding region will continue to be a crucial resource for understanding the political landscape and the factors that shape the electoral process. By closely monitoring these trends, we can gain valuable insights into the evolving political dynamics of the Bay Area and the nation as a whole.