Volume 1, Issue 49                                                           February 23 - March 1, 2005

Political Who's Who Backing Sandre Swanson's Bid for State Assembly Seat

By Eddie Dilliard

What does Congresswoman Barbara Lee, former Congressman Ronald V. Dellums, Assemblywoman Loni Hancock, Mayor of Alameda, Beverly Johnson, Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson, Oakland City Councilmember Larry Reid, Alameda Councilmember Frank Matarrese, Oakland City Councilmember Jean Quan, Oakland City Councilmember Desley Brooks, Alameda City Councilmember Doug Dehaan, Alameda County Board of Education member, Gay Plair Cobb and Alona Clifton, Peralta College Board of Trustee have in common? They all support Sandre Swanson, an African American contender for the 16th District seat covering Oakland and the City of Alameda.

On Thursday, February 24, 2005, the aforementioned politicos will host a reception in the Rotunda Building located at 300 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza in Oakland. The star-studded event will kick off at 5:30 and will feature remarks by former Congressman Ronald V. Dellums, current Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Assemblywoman Loni Hancock and Alameda Mayor Beverly Johnson.

Currently there are no African Americans in the Assembly from Northern California. Assemblywoman Wilma Chan the current District 16 representative will be termed out in 2006 and has expressed her desire to run for the Alameda County Board of Supervisors seat now held by Supervisor Alice Li Bitker.

Sandre is a well-seasoned candidate having worked as chief of staff for Congresswoman Barbara Lee and he has worked on numerous political campaigns. His opponent is Oakland City Attorney John Russo.