Oaklands Public Ethics Commission has a new leader

Suzanne Doran has been appointed as the new executive director of Oakland’s Public Ethics Commission, taking over from Nicolas Heidorn, who resigned in July due to budgetary constraints. Doran, who joined the commission staff in 2016, has built a solid reputation for her leadership in administering disclosure programs and enhancing public access to campaign finance data. The commission chair, Francis Upton IV, noted that Doran's experience makes her immediately effective in her new role. She has also played a key role in the implementation of the Democracy Dollars program, which aims to provide public funding to candidates. Doran stated her commitment to securing necessary resources to enforce Oakland's ethics laws effectively.

The commission has struggled with understaffing and budget cuts, exacerbated by the city's fiscal issues. Last year, the chief investigator criticized city leaders for their handling of funding, highlighting the urgent need for more support. Doran's leadership arrives at a time when public trust in government is crucial, and her expertise may help bridge the gap in ethics enforcement.