The San Francisco Sheriff Department’s former second-in-command announced today his candidacy to take over the department’s top spot with a couple of key endorsers by his side.
Chris Cunnie, 57, announced his plans to run for sheriff in the November election, and was joined by state Attorney General Kamala Harris and Supervisor Scott Wiener as he pulled the papers declaring his intent to run at City Hall, said Eric Jaye, a consultant for his campaign.
Other candidates in the race include Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, sheriff’s Capt. Paul Miyamoto, a 15-year veteran of the department, David Wong, the former president of the deputy sheriff’s association, and Matt Haskell, a 13-year department veteran.
Cunnie, who has been working as an advisor to Harris, served as San Francisco’s undersheriff until earlier this year, and also has served as the chief of investigations for the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office under Harris when she was the district attorney.
He also has served as president of the San Francisco Police Officers Association and as director of emergency communication for former Mayor Gavin Newsom, who is now the state’s lieutenant governor.
“Chris Cunnie has seen law enforcement and public safety from every angle,” Harris said in a statement. “Chris is the candidate we’ve been waiting for–he can put it all together to keep San Francisco safe.”
The candidates in the sheriff’s race are vying to replace current Sheriff Michael Hennessey, who announced in February that he would not be seeking reelection after 31 years in the post.
Hennessey has endorsed Mirkarimi, while Miyamoto has been endorsed by Supervisor Sean Elsbernd, former Supervisor Bevan Dufty and former state Sen. Quentin Kopp.
Dan McMenamin, Bay City News
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