San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi officially kicked off his campaign for mayor on Friday at the Verdi Club. Photos by Luke Thomas.
By Luke Thomas
September 19, 2011
Striking a theme of integrity, character, independence and honesty, Public Defender and mayoral candidate Jeff Adachi officially kicked off his campaign Friday vowing to represent the interests of the people of San Francisco.
With a star-studded line up of guest speakers that included former State Senator Quentin Kopp, Public Defender Chief Attorney and former Board of Supervisors President Matt Gonzalez, Chinese for Affirmative Action chair and former California Department of Education Superintendent Henry Der, Deputy Public Defender Anne Irwin and SF Bayview publisher Willie Ratcliff, Adachi told an audience of as many as 300 supporters at the Verdi Club, “Where I want this campaign to be different is that we have to make the case that it’s time to elect a person who isn’t afraid to stand up against special interests.”
“Why is the consideration for what’s best for the people always comes in fifth, sixth or seventh, after what’s best for me, what’s best for the people that are in this room, what’s best for people in city government, what’s best for the city family – and that is something I have witnessed at City Hall again and again and again,” Adachi said.
Adachi said the city’s spiraling pension costs are the reason why summer school programs have been cut “two years in a row.” It’s also the reason why interim Mayor Ed Lee is advancing a $250 million roads maintenance bond on the November ballot because the City is essentially heading towards insolvency and cannot afford such routine expenditures.
“We have a $6.6 billion budget and for two years in a row we cut summer school for 10,000 kids because we didn’t have $1 million to help the School District pay for it. That’s not leadership,” Adachi said.
“We need merit-based decision making,” Adachi added. “Not political favoritism. Not the powerbrokers who are in the room. We need leaders who are not going to be led by the nose. We need leaders who are not going to be afraid to work in collaboration to reach honest decisions and honest solutions,” Adachi added.
Adachi was, of course, referring to deep-pocketed development and corporate interests, powerful labor groups and those politically connected individuals, namely Chinatown powerbroker Rose Pak and former Mayor Willie Brown, who are able to skirt lobbying and campaign election laws while enjoying privileged access and influence over their hand-picked water carrier, interim Mayor Ed Lee.
Such coddling of elected officials by special interests manifests itself in the eyes of observers as a silent form of insidious corruption, Kopp said.
“My concern is municipal corruption,” Kopp, a former Superior Court judge, said. “It’s silent for the most part. It is insidious. I will vote for Jeff Adachi because he is a man not just of principle and integrity, but also of honesty. I will be assured that some of the sleazy deals that are just now being exposed will not reoccur in our City government.”
Kopp was referring to political corruption he encountered first hand while collecting signatures for a June 2012 ballot measure that aims to open up the city’s garbage collection to an open, competitive bidding processes as well as a backroom deal with police and firefighter unions that managed to strong arm Lee into sponsoring legislation exempting members from increased pension contributions for two years if Adachi’s pension reform measure, Proposition D, passes in November.
Former State Senator and retired judge Quentin Kopp.
“When Jeff becomes mayor, he will not be beholden to special interest groups, moneyed interest groups, to the City Hall good old boy network,” added Deputy Public Defender Anne Irwin. “Jeff will have one loyalty – and only one – and that is to the people of this great city.”
“Even if it makes him unpopular, even if it loses him a lot of friends – if it’s the right thing for us, the people, he will do it.” Irwin added. “Whether you live in Seacliff or Hunters Point, Jeff will be loyal to you. Whether you live in the Marina or the Tenderloin, you will be Jeff’s client and there’s no better place to be than as Jeff’s client.”
San Francisco Deputy Public Defender Anne Irwin.
Calling Adachi “a champion of the underdog” while continuing on the theme of political corruption, Der said, “In this city we still need fighters for the underdog because the political establishment has a way of cajoling, corrupting, and buying off people so that the power can stay within their hands.”
Turning to the smear campaigns advanced primarily by police and fire unions, Der said it is “really unfortunate” that Adachi is being “castigated as anti-union” for his leadership on reforming San Francisco’s unsustainable pension system.
“He knows this city has a lot of problems and Jeff is the one person who is courageous enough to have rung the bell early on,” Der said. “We cannot and should not tolerate this characterization that he is anti-labor. He is not a Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin. He is not trying to break the backs of unions. What we need to do in this city is to be responsible and to share the pain of trying to make government work and to be responsive.”
“For those highest paid civil servants, they should absolutely contribute more to their pensions. They can afford it,” Der added, referring to Proposition D’s sliding scale pension contribution increases.
Drawing a parallel between Adachi’s stinging defeat in 2002 of former Mayor Willie Brown appointed Public Defender Kimiko Burton and this year’s race for mayor, Der said, “Like ten years ago, when Jeff ran for public defender, he’s running against an anointed prince in this election. We have a lot of princes and princesses. They smile nice. They can go to the opera. They can go to the symphony. They can go to the baseball game. But at the end of the day they need to be able to stand up and fight for folks who need protection.”
In that race, Adachi defeated Burton’s $1 million war chest with a meager $250 thousand. By contrast, Lee’s campaign is being funded in large part by unlimited, “soft money” independent expenditures.
“Jeff Adachi is the person with the smarts, with the conviction, with the track record that he is going to stand up to some of the most powerful interests in this city and be the reformer that we need in City Hall,” Der concluded.
Chinese for Affirmative Action chair and former California Department of Education Superintendent, Henry Der.
And if there was any doubt that Adachi, who entered the mayor’s race on the last day to file, will win in November, Gonzalez said, “Let me assure you because I’ve seen the numbers of how San Franciscans view Jeff Adachi. They view him very favorably despite the criticism of his pension measure. This is a city that likes Jeff Adachi, and he can win this contest.”
“This is a man with vision,” Gonzalez added. “This is a man who will fight the fight.”
Public Defender Chief Attorney and former Board of Supervisors President Matt Gonzalez.
More Photos
SF Bayview publisher Willie Ratcliff said, "Let me tell you, black people love Jeff Adachi. Jeff will help the people here and he’ll stand up, he’s got guts. You don’t believe it? Just ask the police department, and you can also ask the labor unions who used to have high percentage of people in the labor movement. But then they got greedy and got in bed with big business who didn’t care about anybody else. Now they don’t have no power and that’s what happens when you don’t treat people right.”
Willie Ratcliff at the microphone.
Willie and Mary Ratcliff.
Adachi and wife, Mutsuko.
Jeff Adachi with his Mum and Dad who prepared a feast of succulent sushi for all whom attended, and family friend, Lois.
Musical entertainment was provided by 70s retro funk band, Funk-Shun.
Former Harvey Milk Club President and indigent defense attorney David Waggoner said he's supporting Adachi because Adachi has "proved he is a defender of social and economic justice."
Jeff Adachi and Quentin Kopp.
Brother Clint emceed the event.
Criminal Defense Attorney Eric Safire.
Eric Safire with North Beach man about town, Robert Amil.
Attorney Whitney Leigh with his easy on the eyes +1, Adachi and former CBS TV Editorial Director Anne Lawrence.
Erin Haney and filmmaker Kevin Epps.
SFBulldog publisher h. Brown gets his grove on with Hope Johnson, Daniel and Becky Cohen.
h. Brown with Dance Mission founder Krissy Keefer and Becky Cohen.
Adachi poses for a photo with Funk-Shun.
Luke Thomas
Luke Thomas is a former software developer and computer consultant who proudly hails from London, England. In 2001, Thomas took a yearlong sabbatical to travel and develop a photographic portfolio. Upon his return to the US, Thomas studied photojournalism to pursue a career in journalism. In 2004, Thomas worked for several neighborhood newspapers in San Francisco before accepting a partnership agreement with the SanFranciscoSentinel.com, a news website formerly covering local, state and national politics. In September 2006, Thomas launched FogCityJournal.com. The BBC, CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox News, New York Times, Der Spiegel, San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Magazine, 7x7, San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco Bay Guardian and the San Francisco Weekly, among other publications and news outlets, have published his work. Thomas is a member of the Freelance Unit of the Pacific Media Workers Guild, TNG-CWA Local 39521 and is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists.
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September 20, 2011 at 5:11 pm
Henry Der is hardly an enabler of monsters. He’s also supporting Jeff Adachi in 2011. Der thinks it’s a good idea to ask well paid city workers to contribute more to their own pensions costs as a way to protect public services.
I read the troll commentary about Adachi’s plan. The litany of demons is long but what is the alternative to addressing a $900 million deficit in 5 years. That $900 million figure is one David Chiu used over at the Guardian today in his Mayoral interview.
link: http://www.sfbg.com/politics/2011/09/20/endorsement-interviews-david-chiu
What’s the answer? $900 million in new taxes alone? Please share would be Solons.. Of course it has to be more lucrative in campaign season to launch the same cyber spitwads from the back of the classroom, and take zero responsibility for what has happened and will happen in San Francisco.
September 20, 2011 at 2:32 pm
Eric,
Everything you’ve said is right. Everything I’ve said is wrong. Will that shut you up?
go Giants!
h.
September 20, 2011 at 1:26 pm
The key tense here is the past tense..
Adachi, was, an honorable man who, once, worked for the public good.
He no longer does.
And I’m not ‘equating’ him with monsters. He is clearly working with, and getting funding from, monsters.
Why don’t you try to explain the Joe Nation relationship?
September 20, 2011 at 8:56 am
Eric,
Repeating lies over and over and over and over doesn’t make them the truth. Adachi is an honorable man who only works for the public good. You continually equate him with monsters.
Adachi for Mayor!
Baum for Mayor!
Avalos for Mayor!
Go Giants!
h.
September 20, 2011 at 4:44 am
The difference, H, is that the things I am saying about Adachi, are true.
September 19, 2011 at 8:48 pm
Wow,
‘Pot/Kettle’ Eric. You’ve been smearing my candidate for months and you want “respect”?
Do you honestly not realize the hypocrisy of your running a long term campaign of insulting Adachi by exactly the, “tangential association” you say should be beneath me?
So, you want me to be respectful (in fact, demand it) but you reserve the right to talk like a low life when you refer to my candidate?
Adachi for Mayor!!
Giants back at it tomorrow in LA with Lincecum against Kershaw.
h.
September 19, 2011 at 7:37 pm
Adachi…!!!
September 19, 2011 at 4:33 pm
I guess I have to respond so that people don’t misunderstand.
I of course see Mazzola and Delagnes as my enemies on almost every issue under the sun, and I am by no means ‘locking arms’ with either.
That kind of snipe by tangential association is below your usual standards H.
I have no problem with you advocating for Adachi as long as you do it with respect, self respect, and dignity.
September 19, 2011 at 4:12 pm
Eric,
You’re certainly entitled to your opinion. It is interesting to see you locking arms with Joe Mazzola Sr. and Gary Delagnes. Could you list a few more books that we should read?
Go Giants!
h.
September 19, 2011 at 3:40 pm
Anyone who doesn’t get why so many are so concerned about what Adachi is doing and represents, should take ten minutes to check out today’s Democracy Now interview with David Graeber (about this week’s grassroots Wall Street occupation) beginning at the 22 minute mark at:
http://www.democracynow.org/2011/9/19/occupy_wall_street_thousands_march_in
And for a really crucial and deep version of what Graeber addresses, listen to his interview with Against the Grain at:
http://www.againstthegrain.org/program/479/id/371140/wed-9-14-11-debt-society
September 19, 2011 at 3:24 pm
Agree with two choices.
I’m not gonna throw out the baby with the bathwater; Jeff was misguided at best, but is streets ahead of the rest of the alphabet soup.
Despite disagreeing with him on many issues I have a lot of respect for Tony Hall, he is true to his principles.
Terry is of course the only calling for a new humanistic approach.
Forget Yee.
As for “labor”, the vast majority of so called ‘leaders’ are a disgrace, it would be hard to fit a Zig-Zag between them and the bosses.
Just my 2c.
September 19, 2011 at 11:47 am
My ranked choices will be:
1) Terry Baum
2) John Avalos
3) Leland Yee
Adachi will -not- win because labor will attack him like there’s no tomorrow (and as I noted, he is selling us down the river anyway, so we dare not elect him). Herrera is unacceptable as you and I know well.
That leaves only one third choice fall back against the Willie Brown juggernaut; Leland Yee.
The choice is obvious.
September 19, 2011 at 11:37 am
Eric,
Someone is gonna be ruling over us from Room 200. I assume from your comments here and elsewhere that you are supporting John Avalos, that’s cool; but if not, then who.
September 19, 2011 at 11:09 am
Can someone please explain to me why we are trusting Adachi, when he drafted his pension ‘reform’ alongside the incredibly corrupt corporate tool, Joe Nation?
How can so many of the progressives that I see in these photos be so easily fooled that such nonsense is ok, and somehow bodes well for a city run by Adachi.
Something clearly isn’t right here, and you all are blindly ignoring it because of Adachi’s past progressive record.
This reminds me a -lot- of the absurd wishful thinking that accompanied the Obama campaign, in the face of obvious evidence that Obama was going to be nothing but another puppet of elite power, due to the fact that his campaign was surrounded by Wall Street finance corporation executives as advisors.
The same sort of elite power is funding Adachi’s campaigns.
September 19, 2011 at 10:44 am
Don’t be too cynical, Richmondman.
Since Gonzalez started working in the Public Defender’s office in the something like the early 90’s, rest assured Adachi chose Gonzalez based more on his own personal knowledge of Gonzalez ability than “political patronage.” Wouldn’t you hire someone you knew would do a good job? I suspect Adachi would do the same as Mayor, too.
September 19, 2011 at 10:28 am
Richmondman,
What’s your real name? Naw? OK. It always annoys me when someone attacks one of my friends and tells lies from behind a cloak of anonymity.
Gonzo had a decade in the PD’s office before he was elected to the BOS. He has 20 years at the top of his profession. Offering him the job was simply smart.
Annie,
You’d get a kick out of Safire. He ran for Superior Court judge a few years back and as a criminal defense attorney has worked with Jeff and Matt for a couple of decades. He goes right after any perceived problems. When I criticized AIPAC he invited me to dinner and a steam and swim at his private club which was mostly Jewish. It was a crowded steam room to see what an unmutilated weenie looked like.
Is that too much information?
Eric’s a good guy and an ally you want.
go Giants!
h.
September 19, 2011 at 10:13 am
To start the week on a lighter note.
No more of this wasteful spending. How much would it have cost to install a standard wheelchair lift and enclose it with fine woodwork.
Alioto-Pier and The Ramp to Nowhere.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUKabBZzG28
September 19, 2011 at 10:13 am
Great pics. I’d been wondering who that Eric Saffire, who looks so much like John Avalos, possibly because of the beard and similar frames, is. Thanks for the caption this time.
Looks like a lotta fun.
September 19, 2011 at 10:03 am
I support Adachi’s pension reform, but Matt Gonzalez’ appointment to a plum position by Jeff smacks of political patronage, and no surprise here that Matt is paying back Jeff now with his considerable political clout.
September 19, 2011 at 8:45 am
…uh, STOP the corruption.
September 19, 2011 at 8:44 am
Adachi – our best hope to fight the corruption.
September 19, 2011 at 7:47 am
Great piece,
I haven’t seen this diverse a crowd for a campaign event since Matt ran in 2003.
h.