Patricia (Pat) Kernighan, a politician and a lawyer, was a District 2 city council member in Oakland, California until 2014, noted for her advocacy of instant run-off voting in city elections.
Biography Kerninghan, a native of rural Eastern Washington state, received a Bachelor of Arts degree in social sciences in 1973 from the University of Washington and a law degree in 1977 from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.Jonathan Wafer, Oakland Daily Planet, June 5, 2008Heather MacDonald, "A Lot on the Line in Local Elections," The Oakland Tribune, November 7, 2008
In Seattle, Washington, while a college student in the 1970s, Kernighan was a member of the Feminist Coordinating Council, an organization that proposed a city ordinance to establish a commission on crimes against women and a protection unit.University of Washington Digital Libraries, "Guide to the Feminist Coordinating Council Records," 1971-1977
She was admitted to the California State Bar in December 1977.
Career She was a legislative aide to Councilmember John Russo and later was chief of staff to Councilmember Danny Wan from 2000 until his resignation in 2005.Janine DeFao, San Francisco Chronicle - January 7, 2005 - "Wan resigns from City Council"
She was elected to the Oakland City Council in 2005 and reelected in a 2006 election against challenger Aimee Allison.Berkeley Daily Planet (Nov 2006) Kernighan Reelected In 2010, she defeated Jen Pae to win a third term.2011 Oakland InaugurationHeather MacDonald, "Kerninghan Hangs On to Her Seat With Runoff," The Oakland Tribune, November 9, 2006
Abel J. Guillen succeeded Kernighan in 2014.
Positions
Voting system In 2006, Kernighan co-authored a measure to implement instant-runoff voting in Oakland,"Pat Kernighan Op-ed Endorsing IRV". Fairvote.org. Accessed February 2012.Fairvote.org News Archive - Instant Runoff Voting in Oakland and voters approved the measure in November 2006.Offbeat and practical issues taken up around Bay Area, Heather Knight, San Francisco Chronicle, Nov. 8, 2006.UC-Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism - Davina Attar and Adithya Sambamurthy (November 7, 2006) Oakland Adopts Instant Runoff Voting Oakland began using the voting system in its November 2010 elections for mayor, three city council races and four other local offices.Jessamyn Sabbag, Oakland Local (January 13, 2010)
Lake Merritt renovation Kernighan co-authored a measure to fund major park renovations around Oakland's Lake Merritt. The measure passed in 2002.Measure DD at OaklandNBC (May 7, 2010) Lake Merritt Is Set to Get Prettier
Personal life She is married to Paul Gordon and has two grown daughters.
References Access to some of the links may require registration.
External links Official Biography at Oakland City Council Membership listing, the State Bar of California 2011 - KAWL News Interview with Councilmember Kernighan following Police Chief Anthony Brooks' resignation.(accessed 2 Feb 12) (May 5, 2010.) Oakland California Bankrupt - Councilwoman Pat Kernighan Calls Rest of Council "Crazy and Irresponsible" McLean, Kate (July 18, 2010). "Proposal for Marijuana Factories Prompts a Battle for Control." The New York Times.