The last time the Oakland Tribune weighed in with endorsements in a local election, they had zero impact: people just don’t read the newspapers like they used to and the Tribune’s multi-media effort is non-existent. Still, there’s nothing wrong with recording and reporting who the Tribune endorsed this time out.
For District One Oakland City Council Race, the Oakland Tribune endorsed a name that didn’t even come up on the last most recent poll of candidates for that area: Craig Brandt, who “recognize the seriousness of the city’s finances and the need for tough decisions.” What’s the Trib smoking? Did they talk to Amy Lemley? It would not seem so.
For District Three, the Tribune picked Sean Sullivan – good choice. Trib says “He understands city finances are precarious, leaders need to make tough decisions, and economic growth alone will not solve the problem.”
Wait. Why doesn’t the Trib editor run for office?
For District Five, Mario Juarez would have been the Tribune’s pick, save for the real estate disagreements he had that were spread over the media (Mario talks about them below). Instead, the Trib backs Noel Gallo – they could have said “no endorsement.”
For District Seven it’s Oakland City Council President Larry Reid. I don’t see where that’s a hard choice. But the crack that Larry should be “better informed” about city finances was unnecessary.