Perata opts out of Contra Costa supervisor race
By Lisa Vorderbrueggen
Wednesday, December 21st, 2011 at 12:21 pm in Contra Costa Board of Supervisors, Contra Costa County, Contra Costa politics.
Don Perata
After weeks of discussions with local leaders and reviewing the results of an internal public opinion poll, former Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata says he will not run for Contra Costa County supervisor.
Perata sent a note to supporters, which said, “Thank you for your interest in my ambition to run for county supervisor but upon further consideration, I’ve concluded that my health and my family would be better served if I remain a civilian.”
That leaves two women in the race to succeed retiring Supervisor Gayle Uilkema — Contra Costa Community College District Trustee Tomi Van de Brooke and Danville Mayor Candace Andersen.
Sources say Perata, who moved to Orinda earlier this year after losing the Oakland mayor’s race, was deeply interested in the supervisor post. He saw it as a way to put his vast legislative experience to use.
But Perata also feared his opponents would make the most of the now-closed FBI investigation into allegations that he participated in campaign kickbacks. Poll results reportedly showed high negatives for Perata in this area, along with his recent loss in Oakland and recent relocation to Orinda. Any campaign consultant worth her fee would run with these openings.
I won’t lie, I’m disappointed. Perata’s presence would have made this campaign incredibly interesting.
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December 21st, 2011 at 2:11 pm
Perata is interesting in the same way that cancer is interesting.
December 21st, 2011 at 3:56 pm
Thank goodness. Perata is as dirty as a politician can get.
I’m guessing the internal polling isn’t in his favor.
December 21st, 2011 at 6:50 pm
I agree with Ms. Vonderbruggen, the race will be less interesting without Perata, but the announced candidates Tomi van De Brooke and Candace Anderson are terrific. Both of have extensive back round in local government, they have held these unsung jobs that don’t pay anything – jobs that require huge amounts of time, with almost no pay and little glory. I think they both deserve to move up, they have paid their dues – dues being service to the community. I think it’going to be an interesting race.
December 22nd, 2011 at 3:22 am
I agree that Tomi and Candace could both do a great job.
I’m not a bit disappointed in Perata seeing the light.
December 22nd, 2011 at 10:13 am
The Don is no moral paragon, as everybody here agrees, but he would have been a better boss in Oaktown than either “progressive” Sleepy Jean” or “Revolution Ron”
December 22nd, 2011 at 10:20 am
And the differences between Perata and Van de Brook are?
December 22nd, 2011 at 2:08 pm
@ #6
One has internal genitalia.
December 22nd, 2011 at 3:49 pm
Re: #6
One has a last name that rhymes with a certain noun. The other has sometimes been accused of being that noun.
December 22nd, 2011 at 9:27 pm
Re: #7 AND #8 –
Oh, that’s REALLY dignified coming from two would-be fascists claiming that they “are above the muck and yuck of liberalistic politics…”
December 22nd, 2011 at 11:03 pm
toothsucker:
You’ve been ingesting mind altering substances again, haven’t you?
December 26th, 2011 at 9:18 pm
KELLER FOR SUPERVISOR DISTRICT III CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
Joel has experience,contacts,honesty, and integrity
VOTE JOEL KELLER 2012 !!!