The New Year is just around the corner, which also brings us an election year. There are numerous local races that are very important to the DSA, the sheriff’s department, and the law enforcement community in San Diego.

Two of the seats on the County Board of Supervisors are up this year; the Fourth and Fifth Districts. We endorsed Ron Roberts for the county’s Fourth District and have not yet endorsed a candidate for the Fifth District. The Board of Supervisors’ elections are very important, as they are the ones we negotiate with for our contract. We obviously endorse candidates who support law enforcement, so we can work together to keep our wages and benefits at a proper level.

This is also an election year for the Office of Sheriff, probably the most important local office for our members. We endorsed Jim Duffy for that office, and there will be updates on that race in future issues of this magazine. The primary takes place June 8, so the early months of 2010 will be crucial for both the candidates and the DSA’s PAC committee.

As important as theses local races are, I want to talk about a state level race that could dramatically impact everyone in law enforcement. I’m not referring to the governor or any state senators or assembly members. I am talking about the race for California Attorney General. PORAC and the DSA both endorsed Alberto Torrico for this important office, and we hope you will support our candidate.

Even more important than who you vote for in this race is who you don’t vote for. The District Attorney of San Francisco, Kamala Harris wants to be the state’s attorney general, an office many see as the top law enforcement position in the state. We cannot allows this to happen.

Kamala Harris is the most dangerous woman in the state as far as law enforcement goes. She is adamantly opposed to the death penalty and has not sought the death penalty against cop killers in her jurisdiction. One of the duties of the attorney general is to handle all death penalty appeals in the state. How hard would that office fight these appeals with her in charge?

Seen as soft on crime, the conviction rate of her office is one of the lowest in the state at around 67 percent. The state average is about 85 percent, and our own DA’s conviction rate is in the 90s.

Unfortunately, she is gaining support and from some unlikely sources. The Hollywood Elite support her, which is not surprising, but former LAPD Chief Bratton endorsed her and, unbelievably, so has San Diego’s Chief Lansdowne. District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis claims she has not endorsed her, but she was listed on an invite list to a Harris fundraiser.

No rank and file law enforcement group supports Kamila Harris, but unfortunately, as you can see, she is gaining ground with some of the top ranks. This shows a continued disconnect between those at the top and those who do the job. More than ever, we need to come together as a law enforcement fraternity and prevent Harris from achieving the top law enforcement position in the state. Use your influence with those you know and exercise your power at the polls. Oppose Kamala Harris for Attorney General. 