San Leandro mayoral candidate Bryan Azevedo, who sought and failed to receive the Democratic endorsement, is now disavowing the party

Labor-funded poll shows Rebecca Kaplan with a commanding lead in ALCO Supe runoff; also shows tight Oakland mayoral race

San Leandro mayoral candidate Bryan Azevedo, who is backed by labor, is likely to get an earful from local unions after his Facebook comment disavowing the Democratic Party.

ELECTION 2022

Days until Election Day: 22.

SAN LEANDRO MAYOR

—APOSTASY—Who’s the sore loser now? San Leandro mayoral candidate Bryan Azevedo, a registered Democrat, disavowed the party on social media over the weekend. A month ago, Azevedo actively sought the Alameda County Democratic Party’s endorsement. Ultimately, the local party decided to offer no endorsement in San Leandro’s mayoral race.

—Azevedo made the inflammatory Facebook comments on a posting paid for by his campaign. When asked about his party affiliation, Azevedo answered, “I don’t like either party. I do what the community wants, not the party. Political parties do nothing but divide us!”

—A commenter noted that Azevedo recently participated in the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee’s endorsement process. Azevedo responded, “The way our City & State is falling apart I refuse to vote Democrat, or liberal.” Azevedo added that he is a registered Democrat, “but I see who both parties are and I don’t like either now. The Mayor’s office is non-partisan anyways.”

—If Azevedo’s comments, including superfluous use of exclamation points, sounds Trumpian, it may be by design. Azevedo’s campaign strategy is to cobble together a coalition from a wide array of voters ranging from supporters of affordable housing and rent control to those who feel disaffected by government at all levels.

—Even more surprising is that Azevedo alienated the Alameda County Democratic Party when much of its institution support comes from labor unions, which are inextricably tied to the local party’s power structure.

—At the Alameda County Democratic Party endorsement meeting on Sept. 17, Azevedo nearly gained the party’s backing, but fell just a few votes short of meeting the party’s 60 percent threshold. His response to being passed over for the endorsement is in character with the reputation he has gained at San Leandro City Hall as someone known for temper tantrum, angry outburst, and instances of petulance.

—Recall that Azevedo called his 2020 City Council opponent Ed Hernandez a “sore loser” last year in an outburst that followed Hernandez protesting Azevedo’s appearance at his National Night Out event. Hernandez said he previously told city leaders that he did not want any elected officials to be brought to his home.

ALAMEDA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

—POLL WATCH—The Building and Construction Trades Council of Alameda County is chatting up a poll the union recently commissioned that shows Alameda County supervisorial candidate Rebecca Kaplan with a nearly 30-point lead over Lena Tam. Once again, you must take these internal polls with a grain of salt. However, a poll showing this type of dominance can’t be easily discounted. Even if the poll is highly inaccurate, it likely still gives a Kaplan a comfortable lead…

MORE INSIDE:

• —Tam continues to highlight Kaplan’s public safety record.

• —Poll has Thao in the lead.

• —Daily campaign finance data: Union goes big on BART board candidate; IEs continue spending spree; San Francisco Foundation helps out Oakland ballot measures.