This co-co-times report is interesting if one knows what to look for. Councilmember Pat Kernighan's financial aide has in part come from Oakland's mostly white political establishment, where Allison's money has been drawn -- at least here -- by Black notables: former Mayor Harris, Geoffrey Pete, and Steven Phillips, who although from San Francisco, is African American. So, again, this race is about that silly thing called skin color.
Kernighan has financial advantage over Allison
Incumbent has $57,000 to spend as of Oct. 26; challenger has $40,100 in campaign war chest
By Heather MacDonald
MEDIANEWS STAFF
With the heated race for District 2 entering the home stretch, Councilwoman Patricia Kernighan has $57,000 to spend, according to records filed Oct. 26 with the Oakland city clerk.
Challenger Aimee Allison, a nonprofit consultant and community activist, has $40,100 in her campaign war chest. Since the beginning of the year, Allison has spent about $96,200 in the fiercely contested race, while Kernighan has spent $163,200, records show.
Between Oct. 1-21, Kernighan raised nearly $57,000, including $1,100 from the Rental Housing Association of Northern California and $1,100 from OakPAC, the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce's political arm. Allison raised $26,700, including $100 from former Mayor Elihu Harris, and $600 from Geoffrey Pete of the Oakland Black Caucus, records show.
OakPAC also spent $26,000 on two direct-mail fliers touting Kernighan's candidacy. Earlier this month, a federal judge granted the political action committee's request to lift campaign spending restrictions, allowing OakPAC to send voters an additional mailer.
On Oct. 26, OakPAC agreed to cancel future independent expenditures after meeting with Mayor-elect Ron Dellums, who called the rule change inappropriate.
Steven Phillips, a former member of the San Francisco Board of Education, spent $11,100 on a direct-mail flier touting Allison's plan to reduce crime. Phillips ran unsuccessfully in 2002 for the state Assembly 13th District seat. Phillips could not be reached for comment.
Kernighan, who was endorsed on Oct. 26 by U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., beat Allison in the June primary, winning 46 percent of the vote to Allison's 39 percent, but failed to avoid a runoff.
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