Patricia Kernighan
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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.
Patricia Kernighan | |
|---|---|
Kernighan in 2011 | |
| Member of the Oakland City Council from District 2 | |
| In office 2005–2014 | |
| Preceded by | Danny Wan |
| Succeeded by | Abel J. Guillen |
| Personal details | |
| Born | |
| Spouse | Paul Gordon |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | University of Washington University of California, Hastings College of the Law |
| Website | PatKernighan.com |
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.[1][2][3]
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.[4]
She was admitted to the California State Bar in December 1977.[citation needed]
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.[5]
She was elected to the Oakland City Council in 2005 and reelected in a 2006 election against challenger Aimee Allison.[6] In 2010, she defeated Jen Pae to win a third term.[7][8]
Abel J. Guillen succeeded Kernighan in 2014.[9]
Positions
Voting system
In 2006, Kernighan co-authored a measure to implement instant-runoff voting in Oakland,[10][11] and voters approved the measure in November 2006.[12][13] Oakland began using the voting system in its November 2010 elections for mayor, three city council races and four other local offices.[14]
Lake Merritt renovation
Kernighan co-authored a measure to fund major park renovations around Oakland's Lake Merritt. The measure passed in 2002.[15][16]
Personal life
She is married to Paul Gordon and has two grown daughters.[citation needed]