Below are CBO's endorsements in the June 7th primary. We have chosen these carefully and with special consideration towards who and what will be best for Oakland, especially with regards to reducing crime, increasing public safety, and enforcing Oakland's encampment laws. We haven’t endorsed candidates in each category on the ballot, many of which are more or less irrelevant to our concerns. Please vote!
STATE
Governor = Shellenberger / Newsom split
Some of us think Newsom is doing his best under very challenging circumstances. Others think the results have been sufficiently disappointing to warrant giving someone else a chance. Shellenberger has fresh ideas on helping the homeless. Newsom has the benefit of extensive understanding of homelessness, dating back to his days as a San Francisco Supervisor and Mayor. It seems likely that, whoever is elected, homelessness will continue to plague California for some time.
Treasurer = Guerrero, NOT Fiona Ma
Attorney General = Anne Marie Shubert, NOT Bonta
Anne Marie Shubert, an Independent candidate, has served well as D.A. of Sacramento where she has established herself as a tough prosecutor who does not claim to be ferreting out the “root causes” of crime. Instead, she squares off against criminals charged with serious crimes. That is the DA’s job. Nothing else.
ALAMEDA COUNTY
District Attorney = Jimmie Wilson and especially NOT Pamela Price
Jimmie is the candidate backed by all law enforcement associations, and importantly is the only candidate to point out that fewer police officers means less policing. That the other candidates won't speak to this makes them seem beholden to the criminal advocates that direct the agenda of Chesa Boudin.
Sheriff = Ahern
Sheriff Ahern has served the county for many years and with many accomplishments.
https://www.alamedacountysheriff.org/about-us/sheriff-bio Both challengers have serious flaws: Ms. Joann Walker has never before held executive authority which would be required to command a 1500-person workforce and a $186 million budget. Yesenia Sanchez does have some experience managing the county jail, but by most accounts poorly having many lawsuits.
CITY OF OAKLAND
Measure C - VOTE NO
Measure C, so-called “library tax”—VOTE NO. It’s not about libraries, it’s about the Mayor and City Council’s financial double-dealings. The current library tax will not expire until 2024, so a “no” vote will NOT cause our libraries to lose any money, despite false claims by proponents. The East Bay Times also says vote “no.” Our detailed message will follow.
Steve Heimoff, on behalf of the Officers of the Coalition for a Better Oakland