Sheriff Greg Ahern prominently features controversial 'Thin Blue Line' flag on mailer

Alameda County supe candidates struggled to raise money outside their base of supporters; Khanna calls for canceling student debt: 'We are not a nation of Scrooges'

ELECTION 2022

ALAMEDA COUNTY SHERIFF

—MAILBOX—Alameda County Sheriff Greg Ahern’s re-election campaign sent a large, glossy mailer to voters over the weekend that extolled his department’s ability to “keep us safe.” The mailer also prominently featured the “thin blue line” American flag on both sides of the piece.

—The black and white American flag with a blue line emblazoned across its center is often used by police personnel and supporters and represents law enforcement’s presence in protecting the public from civil disorder. However, the thin blue line flag has been co-opted in recent years by white supremacy groups. Opponents of law enforcement, especially those in Alameda County, view the thin blue line flag as a pro-police banner, making its use by the Ahern campaign to be a curiously muddled message.

—It’s not clear whether Ahern’s re-election campaign is any dire straits. There hasn’t been any polling reported in this race. But this mailer suggests Ahern’s campaign believes it only needs to lock down its base of supporters, while eschewing any outreach to those who oppose his re-election.

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