A bit of an Oakland shocker until you think about it: Oakland Councilmember Jane Brunner just landed the endorsement of the Oakland Police Union called the Oakland Police Officers Association. Here’s what Jane told those on her email list:
I am excited to announce that the Oakland Police Officers Association (OPOA) has endorsed my campaign for City Attorney.
In their announcement, Barry Donelan, President of OPOA, stated that “Jane Brunner is Oakland Police Offices’ choice for City attorney. She is experienced at analyzing complex issues and cutting through bureaucracy to get things done. In America’s 4th most dangerous city, our police and our citizens need leaders like Jane Brunner who are experienced problem solvers.”
I look forward to working with the police union and community activists to make sure our City is safe. I am honored to have the OPOA’s endorsement.
Yours,
Jane Brunner
That’s a huge body-blow to the candidacy of Barbara Parker, the incumbent Oakland City Attorney. From a purely political perspective, it should not come as much of a shock as it appears to be at first glance, because Jane is a more experienced campaigner than Barbara is.
It kind of backs Ms. Parker into a corner – she needs another huge endorsement and can’t come out and get Oakland Mayor Jean Quan to back her, as that would be the kiss of political death.
But that said, Parker has a good list of backers, including Oakland Councilmembers Larry Reid, Rebecca Kaplan, Pat Kernighan, and Libby Schaaf.
Stay tuned.