Sheriff's Department Captain Paul Miyamoto officially kicked off his campaign for Sheriff of San Francisco today on the steps of City Hall. Photos by Luke Thomas.
By Luke Thomas
June 28, 2011
With much fanfare, Captain Paul Miyamoto officially kicked off his campaign for Sheriff today on the steps of San Francisco City Hall.
The fifteen-year Sheriff’s Department veteran, native San Franciscan and father of five (including triplets), was joined by his family and friends, Supervisor Sean Elsbernd, former State Senator Quentin Kopp, former Supervisor Bevan Dufty, former Department of Emergency Management Director Vicki Hennessy, the White Crane Lion Dancers – and as many as 200 placard-wielding supporters under an unusually sodden June sky.
Casting his candidacy as a choice between “experience and politics,” Miyamoto, 44, told FCJ: “I am running for the department for all the people you see here right now, for my family and friends, for everybody that’s been a part of my life. The depth of experience I have in this department in carrying out the Sheriff’s vision for the past 15 years and sharing that vision and wanting to bring it to the next level, I think that’s one of the things that will separate me from [fellow candidate, Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi].”
“I’m obviously not a politician, so I don’t bring any political baggage to the job,” Miyamoto added. “I’m not going to use this job as a soap box or a political forum.”
A favorite amongst the rank and file to lead the Department after Sheriff Michael Hennessey retires in January, Miyamoto garnered an almost unanimous endorsement from the 800-member sheriff’s union on June 16. Fellow candidate and past union president, Deputy Sheriff David Wong, received 11 votes. Though he received just two votes, Mirkarimi has at least one ace up his sleeve: Hennessey’s endorsement.
Mirkarimi was previously considered the early frontrunner in the ranked-choice contest. With a union behind him, Miyamoto’s candidacy is expected to make the race for San Francisco Sheriff a lot more competitive and interesting.
The White Lion Dancers perform a ritualistic blessing of Miyamoto's campaign.
Captain Paul Miyamoto, Quentin Kopp and Mrs. LeeAnn Miyamoto.
Mayoral candidate and former District 8 Supervisor Bevan Dufty.
District 1 Supervisor Sean Elsbernd.
Bevan Dufty, Sean Elsbernd and Vicki Hennessy.
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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The Hunger Site
June 29, 2011 at 10:40 am
Interesting profile,
I left him a message requesting an interview and we’ll see. His site says nothing about whether he’d continue the Hennessey decision to opt-out of Secure Communities. Nothing on the Sanctuary Ordinance (which – if Wiener’s legislation passes – could be voided) or how he’ll vote on Scott’s juggernaut. Nothing on tasers or PED’s or the Dream Act or the David Wong prosecution.
We’ll see on all those things and if he’s cool on them and Ross keeps tripping over his thing we could have a real race here.
I hope someone has a public debate with these people. I want to see Greg Corrales explain why nearly 100 citizens have accused him of police brutality and how this qualifies him to have control over hundreds of prisoners.
Go Giants!
h.