Non competitive endorsements.

As a candidate that is not raising money and without a public profile, endorsements are a helpful way to fight campaign obscurity. I’ve posted all the organizations who have reached out to me and my answers here.

It surprised me to learn that many very powerful organizations pick who they’ll endorse without considering all the candidates. While this is probably standard practice in politics, to me it suggests cronyism is alive and well. This practice is probably effective at scaring people into not running for the office. However, if the intent of the organization is to find the best candidate they should make their endorsement decisions after they evaluate all the candidates.

We’ve got to hold our leaders to higher standards.
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Here are organizations that made endorsements for the District 7 BART Director race without considering all candidates. Endorsements were either given before the candidate filing period was over or didn’t engage all the candidates.

Organizations

1. Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE) – Contra Costa
2. ​Democracy for America
3. East Bay Young Democrats
4. Transport Oakland

Unions

1. Alameda Labor Council, AFL-CIO
2. Building and Construction Trades Council of Alameda County
3. ​Contra Costa Labor Council, AFL-CIO
4. San Francisco Labor Council, AFL-CIO
5. AFSCME Council 57
6. AFSCME Local 3993
7. ATU Local 1555
8. IBEW Local 595
9. SEIU Local 1021

This list will be updated as information becomes available are known.