Oakland unions jump the shark

Union-backed IE attempts to link Loren Taylor to Sheng Thao, the recalled mayor they once supported; Police report: San Leandro councilmember was victim of unwanted advances by Central Valley official

☕️MORNING BUZZ

—Sometimes in political campaigns, the best strategy is to make your opponent’s strength a liability.

In the case of Oakland mayoral candidate Loren Taylor, his clear strength over Barbara Lee is his experience in local government and his long-time opposition to rival Sheng Thao, who was recalled from office last fall.

A political mailer produced and paid for, in part, by Oakland’s most powerful unions—SEIU Local 1021 and IFPTE Local 21—made the attempt to flip the script on Taylor on Thursday.

The mailer describes Taylor as a “city hall insider,” and claims Oakland’s problems were created during his single term as a member of the City Council.

In perhaps one of the most cynical moves seen in recent Alameda County election history, the IE included a photo of Thao, easily the most despised political figure in Oakland, and Taylor, along with the tagline, “He got us into this mess in the first place.”

Lee made reference to this idea at the end of last week’s mayoral debate.

“I also want to remind you that many of these decisions that were made that brought us to this crisis occurred by his votes when he was on the city council,” Lee said on March 11. Taylor denied Lee’s representation of his voting record.

That an IE in support of Lee’s campaign used the same assertion in a mailer is curious since campaigns are prohibited from communicating with IEs that support their cause.

In today’s newsletter, I break down how much these two unions, along with others, strongly financed IEs in support of Thao’s run for mayor in 2022, opposition to her recall last year, and Lee’s bid for mayor this spring.

Supporters of Barbara Lee for Oakland Mayor 2025, A Coalition of Business, Labor And Public Safety Organizations For A Better Oakland has raised nearly $375,000 during the special election cycle.

SEIU Local 1021 and IFPTE Local 21 have each contributed $50,000 to the IE, as of Thursday. Earlier this week, the California Nurses Association added $150,000 to the IE’s coffers.

—More inside:

• Oakland unions spent heavily to get Sheng Thao elected mayor, then to keep her in office, and now they are hoping Barbara Lee replaces her.

• New details about the alleged assault by a Central Valley councilmember against a San Leandro official.

• Fremont tweaks its controversial camping ordinance; selects new vice mayor

• Hayward USD promotes interim superintendent, with a long history at the struggling to school district, to permanent status.

• Alameda County Measure C funding for childcare, education is again hamstrung by a legal threat.

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