John Bauters

John J. Bauters is an American politician, attorney, and nonprofit policy director. He is a city council member for the city of Emeryville, California. From 2021 to 2023, he was mayor of Emeryville.

Early life and education
Originally from South Bend, Indiana, Bauters spent most of his childhood in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He got his B.A. in Government & International Studies and Psychology from the University of Notre Dame and a J.D. from Boston College Law School.

Career
Before his political career, Bauters was disaster relief coordinator, a public policy advocate, and a legal aid attorney.

Bauters began most of his political work in 2012, when he moved to Emeryville. After his time in the nonprofit sector, he worked on the Housing Planning Commission, citing it as an issue he is sensitive to. Bauters also has worked on the Housing Committee in Emeryville, as the policy director at Housing California, and at the CalWorks Housing Support Program, specializing in care for homeless mothers.

Bauters ran for a city council position in 2014, but lost by under 200 votes. When running for city council in 2014, Bauters stated that one of the main issues that he wanted to work to address would be affordable housing. He ran for city council again in 2016 and was elected. The city of Emeryville uses a council–city manager system, so its council is the main legislative body. Every year, one mayor and one vice mayor are chosen from, and by, the members of the council.

From 2021 to 2023, Bauters held the position of mayor. He was the first Emeryville city councilmember to serve two consecutive mayoral terms since Ken Bukowski served in both 1997 and 1998. As mayor and member of the council, Bauters has helped create the city's budget and policies, while also being appointed to both city and regional advisory committees.

In 2021, under a new state program, Emeryville sought a "pro-housing city" designation which would allow them more access to state housing funds. As mayor, Bauters supported intergenerational and affordable housing, including public housing projects. He hosted several town halls per month to discuss housing developments with constituents. On social media, Bauters has often been critical of other cities in the Bay Area and their refusal to build more housing.

In April 2023, Bauters, alongside other mayors, was voted into The Mayors Institute on Pedestrian Safety, which is partnered with AARP and Smart Growth America. Emeryville, the city which Bauters represents, has the smallest population of any city represented by the Mayors Institute on Pedestrian Safety. Milwaukee mayor Cavalier Johnson praised the addition of Bauters. The mayors meet monthly to discuss solutions to pedestrian safety hazards in cities.

In September 2023, Bauters visited Ann Arbor, Michigan for a bike ride in which residents were invited to participate. A few days later, Bauters spoke as a guest at the Ann Arbor mobility summit, along with Christopher Taylor. When he goes on group bike rides, Bauters says he discusses "people-oriented infrastructure and community safety" with local community members.

In October 2023, Bauters lobbied for funds to improve biking, walking, and bussing conditions in Emeryville as part of the 40th Street Multimodal Project. The project, which some business owners opposed, would add two-way bike lanes, bus-only lanes, and improved pedestrian features to the area. City council ultimately approved the project 4–1.

On December 6, 2023, Bauters was replaced by Vice Mayor Courtney Welch as mayor of Emeryville. Emeryville rotates its mayoral position amongst its city council members, with the Vice Mayor typically promoted the next year. While Bauters is no longer mayor, he retains his position on the council and continues to be a part of each advisory committee. Bauters also announced his intent to run for a third term as councilmember in 2024.

This YouTube video shows highlights of affordable housing and bike paths in Emeryville, in a video tour by John Bauters.

Advocacy
In addition to being a councilmember of Emeryville, Bauters currently holds multiple positions for different political and social organizations and committees. He is a state director for Alliance for Safety and Justice, a board director for California Association of Councils of Governments, a chapter executive committee candidate and member of Sierra Club, board chair of the Alameda County Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, and board member for the Alameda-Contra Transit Interagency Liaison Committee. Bauters has also advocated for more usage of bikes by organizing bikes with groups of local politicians in order to bring attention to the importance of bikes in cities.

Emeryville City Council
Bauters was first elected to the Emeryville City Council in 2016; he was one of the candidates competing for 3 available seats that year. Emeryville residents elect five city council members to four-year terms. City council elections are held in alternating even-numbered years, with three members being elected in one election and two members elected in the following election. Every year, Emeryville's city council selects a mayor and vice-mayor from the council.

Personal life
Bauters is gay. He and his partner Aaron chose to move to Emeryville in 2012 because they sought a smaller, civically-engaged city that valued public transit. As mayor, Bauters was one of the few gay mayors in California. He is known to be an animal lover, bicyclist, and outdoors enthusiast.