OakPAC endorses candidates for the June election

OakPAC, the largest political action committee in Oakland representing the business community, announced its endorsement of candidates in local and state election contests to be held June 3. The OakPAC endorsement is critical to many candidates and has been credited with making the difference in past elections.

Five seats on the Oakland City Council are being contested this year but only the At-Large position lacks an incumbent. Henry Chang, Jr. recently decided to step down after 14 years in that office, leaving the field wide-open. “The OakPAC Board was greatly impressed with the enthusiasm and ideas presented by all the candidates,” said OakPAC Executive Director Scott Peterson.  OakPAC chose to endorse Clinton Killian, an attorney. Killian is also a former Planning Commissioner and Director of the AC Transit Board. Commenting on the endorsement, OakPAC Chair Michael Colbruno noted, “Killian knows the issues facing Oakland and the East Bay and how to get things done.” Other challengers for the At-Large seat include OUSD Director Kerry Hamill and AC Transit Director Rebecca Kaplan as well as Charles Pine, a neighborhood activist and retiree.

The District 3 race has two challengers to incumbent Nancy Nadel, assuming Greg Hodge prevails in his challenge to have his name on the ballot. OakPAC is endorsing political new-comer Sean Sullivan. For over 10 years he has run Covenant House, which provides job training and life skills to homeless youth. “Sullivan has a solid understanding of the different neighborhoods and displayed a sincere willingness to represent the entire District,” said Colbruno. OakPAC members were impressed with his record of working with different factions in the community and believe that will serve him well as a Councilmember.

OakPAC dealt with other incumbents differently. Council President Ignacio De La Fuente and District 7 Councilmember Larry Reid are both receiving the OakPAC endorsement. In City Council District 1, OakPAC sent a signal by not endorsing the incumbent, Jane Brunner, or her challenger, Patrick McCullough.

Four candidates are running to replace Loni Hancock to represent Assembly District 14. Hancock is termed out and seeking to replace Don Perata in Senate District 9. Hancock was endorsed by OakPAC over former Assemblymember Wilma Chan. Richmond City Councilmember Tony Thurmond can face his opponents with the OakPAC endorsement.

OakPAC is an independent political action committee comprised of Oakland and regional businesses.
OakPAC is ensuring that the business community is recognized by the political community.
OakPAC is organizing businesses to be actively involved in the political process.

Note: In order to receive an endorsement by OakPAC, a candidate for office must complete an application, possibly be interviewed in person by the OakPAC board, and then be selected.