Max Harrison-Caldwell

Progressives may have lost in the mayoral election, but they certainly won in District 9 where Jackie Fielder beat the second-place candidate by nearly 5,000 votes, according to <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/11/05/san-francisco-election-results-november-2024/#supervisors">the latest round of returns</a> released Sunday. A few miles north, in District 3, they weren’t so lucky.

San Francisco live election results

core/paragraph

Progressives may have lost in the mayoral election, but they certainly won in District 9 where Jackie Fielder beat the second-place candidate by nearly 5,000 votes, according to <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/11/05/san-francisco-election-results-november-2024/#supervisors">the latest round of returns</a> released Sunday. A few miles north, in District 3, they weren’t so lucky.

Fielder, a climate advocate and democratic socialist, co-founded the San Francisco Public Bank Coalition, co-managed a campaign fighting a San Francisco Police Department use-of-force policy, and most recently worked as the co-director of <a href="https://stopthemoneypipeline.org/">Stop the Money Pipeline</a>. Trevor Chandler, a former Citizen app employee, got the second-highest number of votes.

Fielder, a climate advocate and democratic socialist, co-founded the San Francisco Public Bank Coalition, co-managed a campaign fighting a San Francisco Police Department use-of-force policy, and most recently worked as the co-director of <a href="https://stopthemoneypipeline.org/">Stop the Money Pipeline</a>. Trevor Chandler, a former Citizen app employee, got the second-highest number of votes.

Board of Supervisors District 3

sf-standard/datawrapper-chart

Board of Supervisors District 9

Nonprofit executive Danny Sauter challenged Board President Aaron Peskin in the 2020 race for D3 supervisor and got 43% of final round votes. This time, with 55.4% of the votes Sunday, he handily beat Sharon Lai, a former transportation official backed by progressive organizations including the Working Families Party.

Nonprofit executive Danny Sauter challenged Board President Aaron Peskin in the 2020 race for D3 supervisor and got 43% of final round votes. This time, with 55.4% of the votes Sunday, he handily beat Sharon Lai, a former transportation official backed by progressive organizations including the Working Families Party.

In District 7, Supervisor Myrna Melgar successfully fended off her challenger, with the incumbent garnering 52.7% of the vote to Matt Boschetto&#8217;s 47.3% in the latest round of returns Sunday.

In District 7, Supervisor Myrna Melgar successfully fended off her challenger, with the incumbent garnering 52.7% of the vote to Matt Boschetto's 47.3% in the latest round of returns Sunday.

In District 7, Supervisor Myrna Melgar successfully fended off her challenger, with the incumbent garnering 52.7% of the vote to Matt Boschetto&#8217;s 47.3% in the latest round of returns Sunday.

Other districts are still too close to call.

Other districts are still too close to call.

Board of Supervisors District 1

Board of Supervisors District 5

Supervisor Dean Preston is trailing Bilal Mahmood by about 1,339 votes in District 5. Grow SF put up a huge billboard in the district promising Mahmood would turn the vacant Divisadero car wash site into housing. Mahmood, a moderate backed by tech money, has leveraged business-friendly donors’ frustration with the democratic socialist incumbent.&nbsp;

Supervisor Dean Preston is trailing Bilal Mahmood by about 1,339 votes in District 5. Grow SF put up a huge billboard in the district promising Mahmood would turn the vacant Divisadero car wash site into housing. Mahmood, a moderate backed by tech money, has leveraged business-friendly donors’ frustration with the democratic socialist incumbent.&nbsp;

The District 1 race went from being tied — both Connie Chan and challenger Marjan Philhour received 11,001 votes (including ranked-choice tally) in earlier returns — to the incumbent pulling ahead by 976 votes on Sunday.

The District 1 race went from being tied — both Connie Chan and challenger Marjan Philhour received 11,001 votes (including ranked-choice tally) in earlier returns — to the incumbent pulling ahead by 976 votes on Sunday.

Districts 1 and 5 still too close to call as Sauter and Fielder win in Districts 3 and 9

Sam Mondros

San Francisco housing advocate Corey Smith filed a lawsuit accusing Supervisor Dean Preston of lying about his housing record in his application to run for reelection this year. 

San Francisco housing advocate Corey Smith filed a lawsuit accusing Supervisor Dean Preston of lying about his housing record in his application to run for reelection this year.

The writ of mandate filed Monday seeks to get the San Francisco Department of Elections to correct what Smith characterizes as misinformation on the city supervisor’s application for reelection.

The writ of mandate filed Monday seeks to get the San Francisco Department of Elections to correct what Smith characterizes as misinformation on the city supervisor’s application for reelection.

Preston’s application touts a <a href="https://www.sf.gov/sites/default/files/2024-06/preston_dean_nom_docs.pdf">litany of housing achievements</a>, from saving 20,000 renters from eviction to securing a quarter-billion dollars in rent relief and affordable housing. However, Smith and other critics dispute Preston’s claim that he voted to approve 30,000 new homes in San Francisco, 86% of which are affordable.

Preston’s application touts a <a href="https://www.sf.gov/sites/default/files/2024-06/preston_dean_nom_docs.pdf">litany of housing achievements</a>, from saving 20,000 renters from eviction to securing a quarter-billion dollars in rent relief and affordable housing. However, Smith and other critics dispute Preston’s claim that he voted to approve 30,000 new homes in San Francisco, 86% of which are affordable.

“I’m calling bullshit,” said Smith, executive director of Housing Action Coalition, a nonprofit that advocates for increasing housing supply in San Francisco. “Because it’s an election year, he is trying to reframe himself and his anti-housing record, which is based entirely on political plans. But I’m actually interested in homes getting built, and he has consistently opposed that.”

“I’m calling bullshit,” said Smith, executive director of Housing Action Coalition, a nonprofit that advocates for increasing housing supply in San Francisco. “Because it’s an election year, he is trying to reframe himself and his anti-housing record, which is based entirely on political plans. But I’m actually interested in homes getting built, and he has consistently opposed that.”

Preston faces a potentially tough reelection come November, with two main challengers: entrepreneur Bilal Mahmood and education activist Autumn Looijen. Preston’s Democratic Socialist affiliation has made him a punching bag for figures like Elon Musk, who <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/09/22/elon-musk-pledges-100k-to-defeat-san-francisco-elected-official-dean-preston/">pledged money to defeat him</a>. On the issue of housing, Preston’s critics have often accused him of <a href="https://nimby.report/preston">blocking or stalling</a> projects.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Elon Musk pledges $100K to defeat this San Francisco elected official

Preston faces a potentially tough reelection come November, with two main challengers: entrepreneur Bilal Mahmood and education activist Autumn Looijen. Preston’s Democratic Socialist affiliation has made him a punching bag for figures like Elon Musk, who <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/09/22/elon-musk-pledges-100k-to-defeat-san-francisco-elected-official-dean-preston/">pledged money to defeat him</a>. On the issue of housing, Preston’s critics have often accused him of <a href="https://nimby.report/preston">blocking or stalling</a> projects.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Smith claims the 30,000 figure is bogus—citing <a href="https://www.hcd.ca.gov/planning-and-community-development/housing-open-data-tools/housing-element-implementation-and-apr-dashboard">city data</a> showing the number is closer to 14,000—and he is asking the court for a writ of mandate to remove the information from Preston’s candidate statement before it’s printed in voter information pamphlets.

Smith claims the 30,000 figure is bogus—citing <a href="https://www.hcd.ca.gov/planning-and-community-development/housing-open-data-tools/housing-element-implementation-and-apr-dashboard">city data</a> showing the number is closer to 14,000—and he is asking the court for a writ of mandate to remove the information from Preston’s candidate statement before it’s printed in voter information pamphlets.

Jen Snyder, a spokesperson for Preston, was not amused by Smith’s lawsuit.&nbsp;

Jen Snyder, a spokesperson for Preston, was not amused by Smith’s lawsuit.&nbsp;

“Sorry, not interested in commenting on a corporate developer lobbyist’s latest media stunt,” she said by text.&nbsp;

“Sorry, not interested in commenting on a corporate developer lobbyist’s latest media stunt,” she said by text.&nbsp;

Snyder directed those dubious of Preston’s housing record to DeansHousingRecord.com, a website set up by campaign volunteers and staffers from Preston’s office to rebuke the claims made by Dean Preston’s Housing Graveyard, a site set up by David Broockman, a volunteer&nbsp; SF YIMBY volunteer whose work is cited in Smith’s lawsuit.&nbsp;

Snyder directed those dubious of Preston’s housing record to DeansHousingRecord.com, a website set up by campaign volunteers and staffers from Preston’s office to rebuke the claims made by Dean Preston’s Housing Graveyard, a site set up by David Broockman, a volunteer&nbsp; SF YIMBY volunteer whose work is cited in Smith’s lawsuit.&nbsp;

Smith claimed that 8,250 of the homes Preston cited included temporary shelter-in-place hotel rooms for the homeless during the pandemic along with 10,000 concept homes from Proposition K—a ballot measure passed by voters in 2020—that had yet to be built.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Smith claimed that 8,250 of the homes Preston cited included temporary shelter-in-place hotel rooms for the homeless during the pandemic along with 10,000 concept homes from Proposition K—a ballot measure passed by voters in 2020—that had yet to be built.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“These are not ‘new homes’ that were ‘approved’ in the sense that a reasonable voter would interpret these terms,” Smith said in the lawsuit. “These were existing hotel rooms which were temporarily leased for shelter during COVID-19.”

“These are not ‘new homes’ that were ‘approved’ in the sense that a reasonable voter would interpret these terms,” Smith said in the lawsuit. “These were existing hotel rooms which were temporarily leased for shelter during COVID-19.”

Dean Preston accused of lying about housing record in lawsuit

Gabe Greschler

In a much-needed jolt of energy for San Francisco&#8217;s Democratic progressive wing, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders handed down an endorsement on Tuesday for Supervisor Dean Preston, who is running for reelection to keep his District 5 seat and facing multiple challengers.

In a much-needed jolt of energy for San Francisco's Democratic progressive wing, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders handed down an endorsement on Tuesday for Supervisor Dean Preston, who is running for reelection to keep his District 5 seat and facing multiple challengers.

In a much-needed jolt of energy for San Francisco&#8217;s Democratic progressive wing, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders handed down an endorsement on Tuesday for Supervisor Dean Preston, who is running for reelection to keep his District 5 seat and facing multiple challengers.

&#8220;Dean is part of a new generation of progressive leaders who are not only prepared to stand up to special interests, but also have the courage to address striking levels of wealth and income inequality at their core,&#8221; Sanders said in a statement provided to the Standard. &#8220;We need leaders like Dean Preston in every state, at all levels of government.&#8221;

"Dean is part of a new generation of progressive leaders who are not only prepared to stand up to special interests, but also have the courage to address striking levels of wealth and income inequality at their core," Sanders said in a statement provided to the Standard. "We need leaders like Dean Preston in every state, at all levels of government."

&#8220;Dean is part of a new generation of progressive leaders who are not only prepared to stand up to special interests, but also have the courage to address striking levels of wealth and income inequality at their core,&#8221; Sanders said in a statement provided to the Standard. &#8220;We need leaders like Dean Preston in every state, at all levels of government.&#8221;

Dump Dean or embrace him? Sizing up the most polarizing man in city politics

sf-standard/related-post

sf-standard/related-posts-container

Preston and Sanders are both self-described Democratic Socialists—and the senator&#8217;s endorsement comes as the sitting board supervisor <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/03/04/supervisor-dean-preston-reelection/">faces a litany of criticism from the city&#8217;s moderates</a>, who have cast him as a symbol of progressivism run amok. The former tenant rights&#8217; attorney has even caught the ire of Elon Musk, who called for Preston <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/10/12/san-francisco-dean-preston-leaves-twitter-x-elon-musk/">to be imprisoned</a> and fired from his elected position.

San Francisco supervisor leaves X after Elon Musk calls for his imprisonment

Preston and Sanders are both self-described Democratic Socialists—and the senator's endorsement comes as the sitting board supervisor <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/03/04/supervisor-dean-preston-reelection/">faces a litany of criticism from the city's moderates</a>, who have cast him as a symbol of progressivism run amok. The former tenant rights' attorney has even caught the ire of Elon Musk, who called for Preston <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/10/12/san-francisco-dean-preston-leaves-twitter-x-elon-musk/">to be imprisoned</a> and fired from his elected position.

Preston and Sanders are both self-described Democratic Socialists—and the senator&#8217;s endorsement comes as the sitting board supervisor <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/03/04/supervisor-dean-preston-reelection/">faces a litany of criticism from the city&#8217;s moderates</a>, who have cast him as a symbol of progressivism run amok. The former tenant rights&#8217; attorney has even caught the ire of Elon Musk, who called for Preston <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/10/12/san-francisco-dean-preston-leaves-twitter-x-elon-musk/">to be imprisoned</a> and fired from his elected position.

“I’m deeply honored to have Senator Sanders’ support as we continue our longstanding battle to ensure that the government serves the interests of everyday working people, not just the rich and powerful,” said Preston in a statement. Sanders&#8217; endorsement was first reported by the San Francisco Chronicle.

“I’m deeply honored to have Senator Sanders’ support as we continue our longstanding battle to ensure that the government serves the interests of everyday working people, not just the rich and powerful,” said Preston in a statement. Sanders' endorsement was first reported by the San Francisco Chronicle.

“I’m deeply honored to have Senator Sanders’ support as we continue our longstanding battle to ensure that the government serves the interests of everyday working people, not just the rich and powerful,” said Preston in a statement. Sanders&#8217; endorsement was first reported by the San Francisco Chronicle.

core/embed

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://twitter.com/BernieSanders/status/1767578945241698421
</div></figure>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">We need leaders like Dean Preston in every state, at all levels of government &#8211; leaders who not only stand up to special interests, but also have the courage to address striking levels of inequality at their core. That&#39;s why I&#39;m endorsing Dean for the SF Board of Supervisors.&mdash; Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) <a href="https://twitter.com/BernieSanders/status/1767578945241698421?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Preston is facing a challenge from Bilal Mahmood, a well-funded entrepreneur who recently secured a seat on the Democratic County Central Committee. On Monday, school board recall activist Autumn Looijen <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/03/11/autumn-looijen-supervisor-dean-preston/">launched her own campaign</a> for the supervisor seat. Prison reform activist Allen Jones is also running. The district covers the Western Addition, Tenderloin, Japantown, Hayes Valley and Haight Ashbury neighborhoods.

School board recall activist to challenge Dean Preston for supervisor

Preston is facing a challenge from Bilal Mahmood, a well-funded entrepreneur who recently secured a seat on the Democratic County Central Committee. On Monday, school board recall activist Autumn Looijen <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/03/11/autumn-looijen-supervisor-dean-preston/">launched her own campaign</a> for the supervisor seat. Prison reform activist Allen Jones is also running. The district covers the Western Addition, Tenderloin, Japantown, Hayes Valley and Haight Ashbury neighborhoods.

&#8220;I think it&#8217;s interesting to see [Sanders] weighing in this early,&#8221; said Daniel Anderson, a consultant for the progressive Labor and Working Families Slate. &#8220;I think it signals this is an important race. There’s a lot at stake here—it&#8217;s a real clash of powers.&#8221;

"I think it's interesting to see [Sanders] weighing in this early," said Daniel Anderson, a consultant for the progressive Labor and Working Families Slate. "I think it signals this is an important race. There’s a lot at stake here—it's a real clash of powers."

&#8220;I think it&#8217;s interesting to see [Sanders] weighing in this early,&#8221; said Daniel Anderson, a consultant for the progressive Labor and Working Families Slate. &#8220;I think it signals this is an important race. There’s a lot at stake here—it&#8217;s a real clash of powers.&#8221;

Last week, progressives <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/03/05/election-night-winners-and-losers-who-came-out-on-top-in-tuesdays-primary-contest/">were handed a bruising set of defeats</a> after moderates dominated the race for Democratic County Central Committee and voters passed several tough-on-crime propositions placed on the ballot by Mayor London Breed.

Election night winners and losers: Who came out on top in Tuesday&#8217;s voting?

Last week, progressives <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/03/05/election-night-winners-and-losers-who-came-out-on-top-in-tuesdays-primary-contest/">were handed a bruising set of defeats</a> after moderates dominated the race for Democratic County Central Committee and voters passed several tough-on-crime propositions placed on the ballot by Mayor London Breed.

Sanders has also handed endorsements to other politicos in California, including Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón, along with Assemblymembers Alex Lee and Ash Kalra.

Sanders has also handed endorsements to other politicos in California, including Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón, along with Assemblymembers Alex Lee and Ash Kalra.

Bernie Sanders wades into San Francisco politics, endorsing Dean Preston’s reelection bid

As weary eyes scroll back and forth between the presidential and mayoral races, another San Francisco election is buoyed by an outstanding amount of cash and attention from some of the nation’s biggest politicians and tech overlords.

As weary eyes scroll back and forth between the presidential and mayoral races, another San Francisco election is buoyed by an outstanding amount of cash and attention from some of the nation’s biggest politicians and tech overlords.

To his fans, Supervisor <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/03/04/supervisor-dean-preston-reelection/">Dean Preston</a> has made himself an outlier in local politics as a staunch progressive, receiving endorsements from national figures like Rep. Nancy Pelosi and fellow democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders. To his critics, Preston is the personification of everything wrong with San Francisco, a NIMBY who slings an array of policies soft on crime, addiction and homelessness that polls have shown city voters are moving away from.

To his fans, Supervisor <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/03/04/supervisor-dean-preston-reelection/">Dean Preston</a> has made himself an outlier in local politics as a staunch progressive, receiving endorsements from national figures like Rep. Nancy Pelosi and fellow democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders. To his critics, Preston is the personification of everything wrong with San Francisco, a NIMBY who slings an array of policies soft on crime, addiction and homelessness that polls have shown city voters are moving away from.

His main challenger, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/02/15/san-francisco-elections-bilal-mahmood-ethics-complaints/">Bilal Mahmood</a>, is a tech entrepreneur and relative newcomer who first made waves in his unsuccessful run for state Assembly in 2022, where he clinched a third-place finish despite his lack of experience as a candidate.&nbsp;

Tech exec running for supervisor filed a campaign violation—against himself

His main challenger, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/02/15/san-francisco-elections-bilal-mahmood-ethics-complaints/">Bilal Mahmood</a>, is a tech entrepreneur and relative newcomer who first made waves in his unsuccessful run for state Assembly in 2022, where he clinched a third-place finish despite his lack of experience as a candidate.&nbsp;

Another challenger, Autumn Looijen, who led the recalls of progressive school board members in 2022, has emerged as a more moderate, if not conservative voice to the race compared to Mahmood and Preston. For example, she received the endorsement of the San Francisco Republican Party earlier this week.

Another challenger, Autumn Looijen, who led the recalls of progressive school board members in 2022, has emerged as a more moderate, if not conservative voice to the race compared to Mahmood and Preston. For example, she received the endorsement of the San Francisco Republican Party earlier this week.

Supervisor Dean Preston listens to public comment at a board meeting at the Supervisor's Chamber at City Hall in San Francisco, on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. | Justin Katigbak for The Standard.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/105162023BOSRoundup-054.jpg?w=1675" alt="A man in a grey suit with glasses sits a desk. " class="wp-image-161688"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Dean Preston has won the endorsement of national figures, like Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Nancy Pelosi, while Mahmood has won the favor of local groups like the DCCC.</figcaption></figure>

core/image

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/105162023BOSRoundup-054.jpg?w=1675" alt="A man in a grey suit with glasses sits a desk. " class="wp-image-161688"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Dean Preston has won the endorsement of national figures, like Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Nancy Pelosi, while Mahmood has won the favor of local groups like the DCCC.</figcaption></figure>

While Preston is not the only progressive incumbent facing a significant challenger in San Francisco — District 1 Supervisor Connie Chan is being challenged by moderate Marjan Philour — the District 5 race is raising eyebrows for its enormous cash flow. According to campaign finance filings released in July, Preston raised $426,000 so far, 38% of which came from city-matched funds, while Mahmood garnered $437,000, 58% of which came from city-matched funds. The District 5 election is the only supervisorial race where two candidates broke $400,000.&nbsp;

While Preston is not the only progressive incumbent facing a significant challenger in San Francisco — District 1 Supervisor Connie Chan is being challenged by moderate Marjan Philour — the District 5 race is raising eyebrows for its enormous cash flow. According to campaign finance filings released in July, Preston raised $426,000 so far, 38% of which came from city-matched funds, while Mahmood garnered $437,000, 58% of which came from city-matched funds. The District 5 election is the only supervisorial race where two candidates broke $400,000.&nbsp;

Mahmood said the upwelling of national and local attention to this election comes as no surprise. He said Preston has had to resort to currying the favor of big-time politicians to make up for a lack of local support, citing his own local endorsements like the Democratic County Central Committee, the Alice B. Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club and the Chinese American Democratic Club — the latter of which endorsed him behind Looijen.

Mahmood said the upwelling of national and local attention to this election comes as no surprise. He said Preston has had to resort to currying the favor of big-time politicians to make up for a lack of local support, citing his own local endorsements like the Democratic County Central Committee, the Alice B. Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club and the Chinese American Democratic Club — the latter of which endorsed him behind Looijen.

Bilal Mahmood sits on steps near a farmers market in the Civic Center with City Hal in the background in San Francisco on Nov. 17, 2021. In September of 2021, Mahmood announced he was running for California's 17th State Assembly district in a 2022 special election.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/dscf9367.jpg?w=2500" alt="Bilal Mahmood sits in front of City Hall." class="wp-image-241586"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Bilal Mahmood, a political newcomer, is vying for the seat of District 5 Supervisor.</figcaption></figure>

“I think Dean is out of touch when it comes to things like housing,” Mahmood said. “When I talk to voters, they want housing at all incomes, and voters know that, and he is trying to run away from his housing record.”&nbsp;

“I think Dean is out of touch when it comes to things like housing,” Mahmood said. “When I talk to voters, they want housing at all incomes, and voters know that, and he is trying to run away from his housing record.”&nbsp;

That’s not all. A political action committee affiliated with the moderate group Grow SF, Dump Dean, has gathered $297,000 to unseat the incumbent. In Chan’s district, the group also raised $62,000 under a PAC called Clear Out Connie.

That’s not all. A political action committee affiliated with the moderate group Grow SF, Dump Dean, has gathered $297,000 to unseat the incumbent. In Chan’s district, the group also raised $62,000 under a PAC called Clear Out Connie.

Founded in 2020 by former tech workers Steven Buss Bacio and Sachin Agarwal, Grow SF is one in a bumper crop of new <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2024/02/09/san-francisco-progressives-centrists-00140690">moderate political groups</a> working to boot progressives and reshape San Francisco government.

Founded in 2020 by former tech workers Steven Buss Bacio and Sachin Agarwal, Grow SF is one in a bumper crop of new <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2024/02/09/san-francisco-progressives-centrists-00140690">moderate political groups</a> working to boot progressives and reshape San Francisco government.

GrowSF co-founder Steven Buss, center, announces results, at Anina in Hayes Valley, where GrowSF hosts an election night party on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/20240304-electionday_photo_cc-64.jpg?w=2500" alt="A man holding a microphone speaks in front of picket signs. " class="wp-image-256495"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">GrowSF co-founder Steven Buss Bacio has helped to raise nearly $300,000 to unseat Dean Preston.</figcaption></figure>

The group previously backed the successful recalls of former District Attorney Chesa Boudin and three school board members in 2022. But it’s unclear whether voters in District 5 — encompassing the Haight-Ashbury, Fillmore and Tenderloin neighborhoods and one of the most progressive areas — are willing to oust a die-hard lefty.&nbsp;

The group previously backed the successful recalls of former District Attorney Chesa Boudin and three school board members in 2022. But it’s unclear whether voters in District 5 — encompassing the Haight-Ashbury, Fillmore and Tenderloin neighborhoods and one of the most progressive areas — are willing to oust a die-hard lefty.&nbsp;

Buss Bacio criticized Preston and Chan for stonewalling housing projects and supporting defunding the police.&nbsp;

Buss Bacio criticized Preston and Chan for stonewalling housing projects and supporting defunding the police.&nbsp;

“All of that is out of step with San Franciscans,” he said. “They both don’t want to do their job.”

“All of that is out of step with San Franciscans,” he said. “They both don’t want to do their job.”

Buss Bacio declined to reveal how nearly $300,000 would be spent over the next several months but said San Franciscans can expect to see the funding results of Dump Dean in “the next couple weeks.”

Buss Bacio declined to reveal how nearly $300,000 would be spent over the next several months but said San Franciscans can expect to see the funding results of Dump Dean in “the next couple weeks.”

Ousting an elected incumbent supervisor has only been done once before since district elections were reintroduced in 2000. In 2022, District 4 Supervisor Joel Engardio <a href="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=302509&amp;action=edit">toppled incumbent progressive</a> Gordon Mar by a narrow margin of 460 votes. Grow SF shoveled $50,000 into the campaign, which included billboards, mailed flyers, newspaper ads and more, primarily in Mandarin and Cantonese due to the preponderance of Chinese residents on San Francisco’s west side.&nbsp;

Ousting an elected incumbent supervisor has only been done once before since district elections were reintroduced in 2000. In 2022, District 4 Supervisor Joel Engardio <a href="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=302509&amp;action=edit">toppled incumbent progressive</a> Gordon Mar by a narrow margin of 460 votes. Grow SF shoveled $50,000 into the campaign, which included billboards, mailed flyers, newspaper ads and more, primarily in Mandarin and Cantonese due to the preponderance of Chinese residents on San Francisco’s west side.&nbsp;

Preston is no stranger to <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/01/31/tech-money-san-francisco-supervisor-dean-preston/">detractors with cash</a>.&nbsp;Tech tycoons, including billionaire and X owner Elon Musk and Y Combinator president Garry Tan, have skewered Preston on social media. But removing a progressive incumbent in District 5 may be a tougher sell.

Tech money fuels effort to defeat Democratic Socialist Supervisor Dean Preston

Preston is no stranger to <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/01/31/tech-money-san-francisco-supervisor-dean-preston/">detractors with cash</a>.&nbsp;Tech tycoons, including billionaire and X owner Elon Musk and Y Combinator president Garry Tan, have skewered Preston on social media. But removing a progressive incumbent in District 5 may be a tougher sell.

The district’s progressive leanings were on display in the March primary election, when those voters opposed increasing police powers, standing in stark contrast to a majority of the city, according to <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/projects/2024/california-primary-election-results/san-francisco">data</a> gathered by the San Francisco Chronicle.

The district’s progressive leanings were on display in the March primary election, when those voters opposed increasing police powers, standing in stark contrast to a majority of the city, according to <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/projects/2024/california-primary-election-results/san-francisco">data</a> gathered by the San Francisco Chronicle.

Katie Marocco has lived around the Panhandle for the past two and a half years. She said Preston gets a bad rap in his management of places like the Tenderloin. But she also said she’s felt less safe in her own neighborhood lately and wants to learn more about Mahmood’s policies.&nbsp;

Katie Marocco has lived around the Panhandle for the past two and a half years. She said Preston gets a bad rap in his management of places like the Tenderloin. But she also said she’s felt less safe in her own neighborhood lately and wants to learn more about Mahmood’s policies.&nbsp;

“I would definitely like to see that improve,” she said. “I love San Francisco. I think it’s a very community-based city. I personally want to feel safe in my community.”

“I would definitely like to see that improve,” she said. “I love San Francisco. I think it’s a very community-based city. I personally want to feel safe in my community.”

Individuals congregate in San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood in this July 2022 image. A lawsuit Thursday seeks to hold the city accountable over alleged "containment zone" policies.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2022_july_04_tenderloin_addiction-5-1.jpg?w=2500" alt="The Tenderloin was added to Distri t 5" class="wp-image-241305"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Tenderloin neighborhood was added to District 5 after redistricting in 2022.</figcaption></figure>

Pedestrians pass the Peace Pagoda in Japantown in San Francisco on Monday, June 3, 2024. In recent years, the Japantown/Fillmore district has experienced a rise in the number of businesses owned by members of the Korean community.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240603_koreatowninsf_-0222.jpg?w=1564" alt="People are crossing a street at a crosswalk with a tall, multi-tiered pagoda structure in the background. There is a traffic light and a street sign reading &quot;Post&quot;." class="wp-image-281436"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">District 5 weaves several diverse neighborhoods, including Japantown, Hayes Valley, the Tenderloin and the Panhandle.</figcaption></figure>

The Painted Ladies, Queen Anne style Victorian houses, 1894-1895, with Downtown in the background, Haight-Ashbury-Alamo Square, San Francisco, California. United States of America, 19th century.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/gettyimages-630811545.jpg?w=1024" alt="A row of Victorian homes stand in a row with San Francisco's skyline in the background." class="wp-image-227978"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Alamo Square, the posh enclave where Preston lives, stands in stark contrast to the Tenderloin.</figcaption></figure>

When it comes to stopping the Tenderloin&#8217;s fentanyl crisis, which claimed nearly a quarter of the city&#8217;s 810 overdoses last year, the two candidates employ methods that are built on arresting drug dealers, but give deference to first-time, nonviolent offenders.

When it comes to stopping the Tenderloin's fentanyl crisis, which claimed nearly a quarter of the city's 810 overdoses last year, the two candidates employ methods that are built on arresting drug dealers, but give deference to first-time, nonviolent offenders.

When it comes to stopping the Tenderloin&#8217;s fentanyl crisis, which claimed nearly a quarter of the city&#8217;s 810 overdoses last year, the two candidates employ methods that are built on arresting drug dealers, but give deference to first-time, nonviolent offenders.

Mahmood has endorsed a three-step drug market intervention plan, whereas Preston&#8217;s has championed what&#8217;s called a “<a href="https://www.kqed.org/news/11997174/sfs-top-district-5-candidates-outline-bold-plans-to-tackle-drug-crisis-in-tenderloin" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">four pillars</a>” strategy. Originating from Zurich, the strategy includes arresting and prosecuting drug dealers but also providing safe usage sites.

Mahmood has endorsed a three-step drug market intervention plan, whereas Preston's has championed what's called a “<a href="https://www.kqed.org/news/11997174/sfs-top-district-5-candidates-outline-bold-plans-to-tackle-drug-crisis-in-tenderloin" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">four pillars</a>” strategy. Originating from Zurich, the strategy includes arresting and prosecuting drug dealers but also providing safe usage sites.

Mahmood has endorsed a three-step drug market intervention plan, whereas Preston&#8217;s has championed what&#8217;s called a “<a href="https://www.kqed.org/news/11997174/sfs-top-district-5-candidates-outline-bold-plans-to-tackle-drug-crisis-in-tenderloin" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">four pillars</a>” strategy. Originating from Zurich, the strategy includes arresting and prosecuting drug dealers but also providing safe usage sites.

Still, Preston has been critical of the city’s push to bolster police staffing and enforcement, opposing arresting drug users.

Still, Preston has been critical of the city’s push to bolster police staffing and enforcement, opposing arresting drug users.

“I think that is completely counterproductive,” Preston told The Standard. “We should be moving them off the streets and into overdose prevention sites. I have been very critical of an approach that is trying to lead with law enforcement to address an addiction crisis.”

“I think that is completely counterproductive,” Preston told The Standard. “We should be moving them off the streets and into overdose prevention sites. I have been very critical of an approach that is trying to lead with law enforcement to address an addiction crisis.”

Preston also said that when it comes to his hotly debated housing record, his slate is clean, referencing a lawsuit by housing advocate Corey Smith, who <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/06/25/lawsuit-dean-preston-housing-misinformation/">claimed the incumbent’s voter pamphlet was embellished</a> to reflect more homes in his housing voting history. Last month, a Superior Court judge <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/07/29/judge-tosses-lawsuit-over-deanpreston-housing-record/">shot the case down</a>.&nbsp;

Judge rejects claim that Dean Preston lied about his housing record

Preston also said that when it comes to his hotly debated housing record, his slate is clean, referencing a lawsuit by housing advocate Corey Smith, who <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/06/25/lawsuit-dean-preston-housing-misinformation/">claimed the incumbent’s voter pamphlet was embellished</a> to reflect more homes in his housing voting history. Last month, a Superior Court judge <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/07/29/judge-tosses-lawsuit-over-deanpreston-housing-record/">shot the case down</a>.&nbsp;

“[Mahmood] just moved to the district last year and maybe is unaware of our work on these issues,&#8221; Preston said. &#8220;We’ve got a very clear record on housing, for example.”

“[Mahmood] just moved to the district last year and maybe is unaware of our work on these issues," Preston said. "We’ve got a very clear record on housing, for example.”

“[Mahmood] just moved to the district last year and maybe is unaware of our work on these issues,&#8221; Preston said. &#8220;We’ve got a very clear record on housing, for example.”

Mahmood said that while growing up in the Peninsula, the Tenderloin is where his family visited each weekend, partly because it had some of the best Pakistani food. The neighborhood has always been “a home away from home,” Mahmood said.

Mahmood said that while growing up in the Peninsula, the Tenderloin is where his family visited each weekend, partly because it had some of the best Pakistani food. The neighborhood has always been “a home away from home,” Mahmood said.

Mahmood also faced <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/03/01/bilal-mahmood-racist-mailer/">attack ads</a> while running for the Democratic County Central Committee seat for embellishing his credentials as a neuroscientist and being funded by the same tech money attacking Preston. In March, a group of neuroscientists sent a <a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24524308-letter-to-b-mahmood?responsive=1&amp;title=1">letter</a> to Mahmood questioning the legitimacy of his claims as a neuroscientist, which were subsequently removed from his campaign’s website.&nbsp;

Bilal Mahmood claims progressives target him with racist election mailer

Mahmood also faced <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/03/01/bilal-mahmood-racist-mailer/">attack ads</a> while running for the Democratic County Central Committee seat for embellishing his credentials as a neuroscientist and being funded by the same tech money attacking Preston. In March, a group of neuroscientists sent a <a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24524308-letter-to-b-mahmood?responsive=1&amp;title=1">letter</a> to Mahmood questioning the legitimacy of his claims as a neuroscientist, which were subsequently removed from his campaign’s website.&nbsp;

Jason McDaniel, a political science professor at San Francisco State University, said that although voters citywide have gravitated away from progressive policies in the past few elections, it may not unfold that way in Preston’s district. Voters have taken out their frustrations on incumbents in recent elections, he said, but that doesn’t mean they’ll embrace Mahmood.&nbsp;

Jason McDaniel, a political science professor at San Francisco State University, said that although voters citywide have gravitated away from progressive policies in the past few elections, it may not unfold that way in Preston’s district. Voters have taken out their frustrations on incumbents in recent elections, he said, but that doesn’t mean they’ll embrace Mahmood.&nbsp;

Supervisor Dean Preston attends the weekly Board of Supervisors meeting at City Hall in San Francisco on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024. The Board of Supervisors is responsible for addressing local legislation, establishing city policies, as well as adopting ordinances and resolutions. The governmental body’s meetings are always open to public comment from residents.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/20240227_supervisorsmeeting-10.jpg?w=2500" alt="A man in a suit sits at a desk with two laptops, adjusts his glasses while looking to the side. A nameplate in front reads &quot;Dean Preston, District 5.&quot;" class="wp-image-253632"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Dean Preston, the city&#8217;s first elected democratic socialist, has faced sharp criticism from residents as a moderate wave swept over city politics post-pandemic.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/20240227_supervisorsmeeting-10.jpg?w=2500" alt="A man in a suit sits at a desk with two laptops, adjusts his glasses while looking to the side. A nameplate in front reads &quot;Dean Preston, District 5.&quot;" class="wp-image-253632"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Dean Preston, the city's first elected democratic socialist, has faced sharp criticism from residents as a moderate wave swept over city politics post-pandemic.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/20240227_supervisorsmeeting-10.jpg?w=2500" alt="A man in a suit sits at a desk with two laptops, adjusts his glasses while looking to the side. A nameplate in front reads &quot;Dean Preston, District 5.&quot;" class="wp-image-253632"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Dean Preston, the city&#8217;s first elected democratic socialist, has faced sharp criticism from residents as a moderate wave swept over city politics post-pandemic.</figcaption></figure>

“It’s worth watching to see if that’s where the city is going with these last few elections, sort of moving away from some of the progressive positions,” McDaniel said. “Does that continue?”&nbsp;

“It’s worth watching to see if that’s where the city is going with these last few elections, sort of moving away from some of the progressive positions,” McDaniel said. “Does that continue?”&nbsp;

Voter turnout in District 5 is among the highest in the city, and registration has only risen since 2022, according to the latest data by the city. In 2020, Preston won 21,484 votes, with his biggest competitor being Vallie Brown with 16,777 votes. In a poll conducted by Change Research that surveyed 429 District 5 voters, which was paid for Mahmood’s campaign, data showed Preston ahead throughout the first few rounds of voting but the candidates neck and neck in the final round.

Voter turnout in District 5 is among the highest in the city, and registration has only risen since 2022, according to the latest data by the city. In 2020, Preston won 21,484 votes, with his biggest competitor being Vallie Brown with 16,777 votes. In a poll conducted by Change Research that surveyed 429 District 5 voters, which was paid for Mahmood’s campaign, data showed Preston ahead throughout the first few rounds of voting but the candidates neck and neck in the final round.

McDaniel added, “There’s been a lot of discontent with incumbents. You know, voters rarely turn to newcomers.”&nbsp;

McDaniel added, “There’s been a lot of discontent with incumbents. You know, voters rarely turn to newcomers.”&nbsp;

Inside SF’s most expensive supervisor’s race. Can tech money oust an incumbent?

Han Li

An activist who launched the successful movement to recall three San Francisco school board members during the pandemic will run for the Board of Supervisors this November.

An activist who launched the successful movement to recall three San Francisco school board members during the pandemic will run for the Board of Supervisors this November.

Autumn Looijen is expected to file paperwork to run for District 5 supervisor, challenging incumbent Dean Preston, on Monday morning. The district includes the Tenderloin, Hayes Valley, Japantown, Western Addition and Haight Ashbury.

Autumn Looijen is expected to file paperwork to run for District 5 supervisor, challenging incumbent Dean Preston, on Monday morning. The district includes the Tenderloin, Hayes Valley, Japantown, Western Addition and Haight Ashbury.

&#8220;We see a lot of things that are broken in the city,&#8221; Looijen said. &#8220;I want to take a look at our problems, understand them from all different directions and come up with solutions.&#8221;

"We see a lot of things that are broken in the city," Looijen said. "I want to take a look at our problems, understand them from all different directions and come up with solutions."

&#8220;We see a lot of things that are broken in the city,&#8221; Looijen said. &#8220;I want to take a look at our problems, understand them from all different directions and come up with solutions.&#8221;

Autumn Looijen poses for a portrait on Haight Street in San Francisco on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024. Looijen, who with her partner Siva Raj spearheaded the 2021 campaign to recall San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) school board members, is now running for District 5 supervisor, and is a proponent of Prop G, a measure to return to teaching Algebra 1 to eighth graders that is on the upcoming March ballot.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/20240306-autumnd5supervisor08.jpg?w=2500" alt="A smiling woman with glasses, wearing a patterned top, is leaning against a red brick wall." class="wp-image-257666"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Autumn Looijen poses for a portrait on Haight Street in February.</figcaption></figure>

She said San Francisco’s current system of government is not working, and she&#8217;s in the process of talking to community members to better understand the issues, such as the drug addiction crisis in the Tenderloin.

She said San Francisco’s current system of government is not working, and she's in the process of talking to community members to better understand the issues, such as the drug addiction crisis in the Tenderloin.

She said San Francisco’s current system of government is not working, and she&#8217;s in the process of talking to community members to better understand the issues, such as the drug addiction crisis in the Tenderloin.

Looijen, 46, a former tech worker and now a full-time political activist with SF Guardians, moved to San Francisco in late 2020 from South Bay and soon pulled paperwork <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2021/03/03/san-francisco-school-board-recall-meet-team-parents-founders/">to start the historic school board recall campaign</a> because of her frustrations about the slow pace of reopening schools. San Francisco voters overwhelmingly supported the recall of three school board members in 2022.

Meet the parents behind an effort to recall three SF school board members

Looijen, 46, a former tech worker and now a full-time political activist with SF Guardians, moved to San Francisco in late 2020 from South Bay and soon pulled paperwork <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2021/03/03/san-francisco-school-board-recall-meet-team-parents-founders/">to start the historic school board recall campaign</a> because of her frustrations about the slow pace of reopening schools. San Francisco voters overwhelmingly supported the recall of three school board members in 2022.

Looijen said she and her team had already trained many qualified candidates to run for school board, and she chose to run for supervisor because she needed a bigger platform.

Looijen said she and her team had already trained many qualified candidates to run for school board, and she chose to run for supervisor because she needed a bigger platform.

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFygLmwNRCY
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Autumn&nbsp;Looijen and&nbsp;Siva Raj explain their effort behind the school board recall.</figcaption></figure>

Bilal Mahmood, who lost a 2022 Assembly race but is poised to win a seat on the Democratic County Central Committee after last Tuesday’s election, is <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/01/23/tech-exec-challenges-san-francisco-democratic-socialist-supervisor-dean-preston/">also running for District 5 supervisor</a>.

Tech exec challenges San Francisco’s lone Democratic Socialist supervisor