Garrett Leahy

The building housing a Black-led San Francisco youth nonprofit was defaced with racist graffiti, and a noose was left hanging on one of the doors, city officials said Friday.

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<p>The building housing a Black-led San Francisco youth nonprofit was defaced with racist graffiti, and a noose was left hanging on one of the doors, city officials said Friday.</p>

Images <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_TGkS0PPN2/">posted</a> to social media showed racist language spray-painted on the side of the turquoise building that houses <a href="https://youth1stprogram.com/index.html#about">Youth 1st</a>. The nonprofit — which offers year-round tutoring in math, science, English, and other subjects — is based out of the Merced Heights Playground near Ingleside.

<p>Images <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_TGkS0PPN2/">posted</a> to social media showed racist language spray-painted on the side of the turquoise building that houses <a href="https://youth1stprogram.com/index.html#about">Youth 1st</a>. The nonprofit — which offers year-round tutoring in math, science, English, and other subjects — is based out of the Merced Heights Playground near Ingleside.</p>

The San Francisco Police Department is investigating.

<p>The San Francisco Police Department is investigating.</p>

&#8220;We don&#8217;t want to let this divide us. We want to get to the bottom of this, but let&#8217;s build our community up,&#8221; Renard Monroe, executive director and founder of Youth 1st, said at a press conference. &#8220;I’m sad for these children that are going to have to hear about this. … It’s a teachable moment for all of us, but this isn’t something that we should be having to learn from or to be teaching in 2024.&#8221;

<p>"We don't want to let this divide us. We want to get to the bottom of this, but let's build our community up," Renard Monroe, executive director and founder of Youth 1st, said at a press conference. "I’m sad for these children that are going to have to hear about this. … It’s a teachable moment for all of us, but this isn’t something that we should be having to learn from or to be teaching in 2024."</p>

<p>&#8220;We don&#8217;t want to let this divide us. We want to get to the bottom of this, but let&#8217;s build our community up,&#8221; Renard Monroe, executive director and founder of Youth 1st, said at a press conference. &#8220;I’m sad for these children that are going to have to hear about this. … It’s a teachable moment for all of us, but this isn’t something that we should be having to learn from or to be teaching in 2024.&#8221;</p>

A wet paint sign hung on the outside walls of Youth 1st on Aug. 30, 2024. The afterschool and summer program for at-risk youth had its building tagged with the N-word.


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="1667" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/20240830youth1stracistgraffiti-es-02.jpg?w=2500" alt="A white poster with &quot;Wet Paint&quot; written in various languages is taped to a turquoise fence and wall, indicating the fresh paint." class="wp-image-306587"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">City officials say the graffiti was painted on the building Friday morning.</figcaption></figure>


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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/20240830youth1stracistgraffiti-es-02.jpg?w=2500" alt="A white poster with &quot;Wet Paint&quot; written in various languages is taped to a turquoise fence and wall, indicating the fresh paint." class="wp-image-306587"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">City officials say the graffiti was painted on the building Friday morning.</figcaption></figure>

There have been other racist incidents reported in San Francisco in recent months. In May, a man reported that <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/05/09/alamo-square-dog-walker-racist-threats/">blackface dolls with nooses</a> around their necks were left near his home, and in June, racist graffiti was painted <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/06/05/city-hall-defaced-disgusting-racism-sexism/">next to the front doors of City Hall</a>.

&#8216;They want me to run&#8217;: Black San Francisco dog walker faces down racist threats

City Hall defaced with ‘disgusting racism and sexism’

<p>There have been other racist incidents reported in San Francisco in recent months. In May, a man reported that <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/05/09/alamo-square-dog-walker-racist-threats/">blackface dolls with nooses</a> around their necks were left near his home, and in June, racist graffiti was painted <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/06/05/city-hall-defaced-disgusting-racism-sexism/">next to the front doors of City Hall</a>.</p>

District Attorney Brooke Jenkins called the graffiti at Youth 1st a hate crime and said her office will &#8220;do everything to hold the person or persons behind this accountable.&#8221;

<p>District Attorney Brooke Jenkins called the graffiti at Youth 1st a hate crime and said her office will "do everything to hold the person or persons behind this accountable."</p>

<p>District Attorney Brooke Jenkins called the graffiti at Youth 1st a hate crime and said her office will &#8220;do everything to hold the person or persons behind this accountable.&#8221;</p>

&#8220;But I also stand before you as a Black woman and a woman raising two Black children in this city,&#8221; Jenkins said at the press conference. &#8220;That didn&#8217;t just happen against an organization and a man. It happened against our children, our babies.&#8221;

<p>"But I also stand before you as a Black woman and a woman raising two Black children in this city," Jenkins said at the press conference. "That didn't just happen against an organization and a man. It happened against our children, our babies."</p>

<p>&#8220;But I also stand before you as a Black woman and a woman raising two Black children in this city,&#8221; Jenkins said at the press conference. &#8220;That didn&#8217;t just happen against an organization and a man. It happened against our children, our babies.&#8221;</p>

City officials said the vandalism occurred sometime Friday morning. SFPD said officers responded to the building around 8:20 a.m. and found both graffiti and &#8220;a rope resembling a possible noose.&#8221;

<p>City officials said the vandalism occurred sometime Friday morning. SFPD said officers responded to the building around 8:20 a.m. and found both graffiti and "a rope resembling a possible noose."</p>

<p>City officials said the vandalism occurred sometime Friday morning. SFPD said officers responded to the building around 8:20 a.m. and found both graffiti and &#8220;a rope resembling a possible noose.&#8221;</p>

Supervisor Ahsha Safaí, who represents the area, said the epithets were targeted at Monroe.

<p>Supervisor Ahsha Safaí, who represents the area, said the epithets were targeted at Monroe.</p>

&#8220;This appalling display of hate has no place in our community,&#8221; Safaí said in an email. &#8220;This incident is not just an attack on a building; it&#8217;s an attack on the values we uphold in San Francisco — diversity, inclusion, and respect for all.&#8221;

<p>"This appalling display of hate has no place in our community," Safaí said in an email. "This incident is not just an attack on a building; it's an attack on the values we uphold in San Francisco — diversity, inclusion, and respect for all."</p>

<p>&#8220;This appalling display of hate has no place in our community,&#8221; Safaí said in an email. &#8220;This incident is not just an attack on a building; it&#8217;s an attack on the values we uphold in San Francisco — diversity, inclusion, and respect for all.&#8221;</p>

The supervisor said the racist graffiti appeared days after an encounter between Monroe and an unidentified woman at the Merced Heights Playground. He said the woman was walking her dog in the playground when Monroe asked her to move to a dog run nearby. The woman became hostile, called Monroe a &#8220;dirty N-word,&#8221; and said, &#8220;We shouldn&#8217;t have given you books,&#8221; adding, &#8220;I&#8217;m gonna make it my job to shut your organization,&#8221; Safaí told The Standard by phone.

<p>The supervisor said the racist graffiti appeared days after an encounter between Monroe and an unidentified woman at the Merced Heights Playground. He said the woman was walking her dog in the playground when Monroe asked her to move to a dog run nearby. The woman became hostile, called Monroe a "dirty N-word," and said, "We shouldn't have given you books," adding, "I'm gonna make it my job to shut your organization," Safaí told The Standard by phone.</p>

<p>The supervisor said the racist graffiti appeared days after an encounter between Monroe and an unidentified woman at the Merced Heights Playground. He said the woman was walking her dog in the playground when Monroe asked her to move to a dog run nearby. The woman became hostile, called Monroe a &#8220;dirty N-word,&#8221; and said, &#8220;We shouldn&#8217;t have given you books,&#8221; adding, &#8220;I&#8217;m gonna make it my job to shut your organization,&#8221; Safaí told The Standard by phone.</p>

Ahaha Safaí address the crowd at the second mayoral debate, held at UC Law in San Francisco on Monday, June 17th, 2024.


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="1666" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240614-secondmayoraldebate-ac-391.jpg?w=2500" alt="A man in a suit and tie is speaking in front of an audience. He has one hand on his chest and the other gesturing outward. A microphone is clipped to his jacket." class="wp-image-284219"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Supervisor Ahsha Safaí says the graffiti appeared after a woman threatened the nonprofit&#8217;s director.</figcaption></figure>


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240614-secondmayoraldebate-ac-391.jpg?w=2500" alt="A man in a suit and tie is speaking in front of an audience. He has one hand on his chest and the other gesturing outward. A microphone is clipped to his jacket." class="wp-image-284219"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Supervisor Ahsha Safaí says the graffiti appeared after a woman threatened the nonprofit's director.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240614-secondmayoraldebate-ac-391.jpg?w=2500" alt="A man in a suit and tie is speaking in front of an audience. He has one hand on his chest and the other gesturing outward. A microphone is clipped to his jacket." class="wp-image-284219"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Supervisor Ahsha Safaí says the graffiti appeared after a woman threatened the nonprofit&#8217;s director.</figcaption></figure>

On Wednesday, representatives from the California Department of Social Services showed up at the nonprofit to respond to an anonymous complaint that Youth 1st was operating without a license, according to city officials. Park rangers also responded Thursday to an anonymous noise complaint at the playground, which they determined was meritless, a spokesperson for the Recreation and Parks Department said.

<p>On Wednesday, representatives from the California Department of Social Services showed up at the nonprofit to respond to an anonymous complaint that Youth 1st was operating without a license, according to city officials. Park rangers also responded Thursday to an anonymous noise complaint at the playground, which they determined was meritless, a spokesperson for the Recreation and Parks Department said.</p>

Emily Davis, a spokesperson for San Francisco&#8217;s Department of Children, Youth, and their Families, which provides funding to Youth 1st, told The Standard the nonprofit is not subject to the licensing requirements for childcare facilities.

<p>Emily Davis, a spokesperson for San Francisco's Department of Children, Youth, and their Families, which provides funding to Youth 1st, told The Standard the nonprofit is not subject to the licensing requirements for childcare facilities.</p>

<p>Emily Davis, a spokesperson for San Francisco&#8217;s Department of Children, Youth, and their Families, which provides funding to Youth 1st, told The Standard the nonprofit is not subject to the licensing requirements for childcare facilities.</p>

A spokesperson for the state&#8217;s Department of Social Services said the agency is investigating and declined to comment further.

<p>A spokesperson for the state's Department of Social Services said the agency is investigating and declined to comment further.</p>

<p>A spokesperson for the state&#8217;s Department of Social Services said the agency is investigating and declined to comment further.</p>

Calling the vandalism a &#8220;cowardly act,&#8221; Monroe said it&#8217;s important to teach children to love their community.

<p>Calling the vandalism a "cowardly act," Monroe said it's important to teach children to love their community.</p>

<p>Calling the vandalism a &#8220;cowardly act,&#8221; Monroe said it&#8217;s important to teach children to love their community.</p>

&#8220;We don&#8217;t teach hate here, we teach love,&#8221; Monroe said. &#8220;We need to teach San Francisco to love.&#8221;

<p>"We don't teach hate here, we teach love," Monroe said. "We need to teach San Francisco to love."</p>

<p>&#8220;We don&#8217;t teach hate here, we teach love,&#8221; Monroe said. &#8220;We need to teach San Francisco to love.&#8221;</p>

SF youth nonprofit defaced with racist graffiti

Tomoki Chien

Chyanne Chen, a progressive labor leader who ran on a platform of public safety and child-care subsidies, will represent Excelsior, Outer Mission, Ingleside, and Crocker-Amazon on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

<p>Chyanne Chen, a progressive labor leader who ran on a platform of public safety and child-care subsidies, will represent Excelsior, Outer Mission, Ingleside, and Crocker-Amazon on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.</p>

&#8220;I am proud and honored to be Supervisor-elect for District 11,&#8221; Chen said <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DCdVVORxiaM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==">in a statement</a> Sunday. &#8220;I am committed to bringing people together to fight for stronger communities, safe neighborhoods, and improved services.&#8221;

<p>"I am proud and honored to be Supervisor-elect for District 11," Chen said <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DCdVVORxiaM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==">in a statement</a> Sunday. "I am committed to bringing people together to fight for stronger communities, safe neighborhoods, and improved services."</p>

<p>&#8220;I am proud and honored to be Supervisor-elect for District 11,&#8221; Chen said <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DCdVVORxiaM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==">in a statement</a> Sunday. &#8220;I am committed to bringing people together to fight for stronger communities, safe neighborhoods, and improved services.&#8221;</p>

Competitor Michael Lai conceded Sunday afternoon, posting on X that he had called Chen to &#8220;offer her congratulations as the first Asian supervisor for District 11.&#8221;

<p>Competitor Michael Lai conceded Sunday afternoon, posting on X that he had called Chen to "offer her congratulations as the first Asian supervisor for District 11."</p>

<p>Competitor Michael Lai conceded Sunday afternoon, posting on X that he had called Chen to &#8220;offer her congratulations as the first Asian supervisor for District 11.&#8221;</p>

Board of Supervisors District 11

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Chen led Lai by just 190 votes as of Monday morning in the preliminary ranked-choice tally. The official count won&#8217;t be finalized until next month.

<p>Chen led Lai by just 190 votes as of Monday morning in the preliminary ranked-choice tally. The official count won't be finalized until next month.</p>

<p>Chen led Lai by just 190 votes as of Monday morning in the preliminary ranked-choice tally. The official count won&#8217;t be finalized until next month.</p>

Chen will succeed Ahsha Safaí to represent District 11 in the city&#8217;s southeast. It boasts the largest Asian and Pacific Islander population of all San Francisco supervisor districts.

<p>Chen will succeed Ahsha Safaí to represent District 11 in the city's southeast. It boasts the largest Asian and Pacific Islander population of all San Francisco supervisor districts.</p>

<p>Chen will succeed Ahsha Safaí to represent District 11 in the city&#8217;s southeast. It boasts the largest Asian and Pacific Islander population of all San Francisco supervisor districts.</p>

These Chinese American immigrant moms want to take over San Francisco politics

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Chen&#8217;s platform called for expanding child-care subsidies for families making less than $225,000 annually, establishing free before- and after-school programs, and increasing the number of bilingual police patrols.

<p>Chen's platform called for expanding child-care subsidies for families making less than $225,000 annually, establishing free before- and after-school programs, and increasing the number of bilingual police patrols.</p>

<p>Chen&#8217;s platform called for expanding child-care subsidies for families making less than $225,000 annually, establishing free before- and after-school programs, and increasing the number of bilingual police patrols.</p>

She had earned endorsements from Sen. Laphonza Butler, Assemblymember Phil Ting, and Supervisor Aaron Peskin.

<p>She had earned endorsements from Sen. Laphonza Butler, Assemblymember Phil Ting, and Supervisor Aaron Peskin.</p>

Progressive Chyanne Chen wins District 11 supervisor seat

Annie Gaus

Supervisor Ahsha Safaí, who represents the Excelsior neighborhood on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, has filed paperwork to run against Mayor London Breed in 2024.

<p>Supervisor Ahsha Safaí, who represents the Excelsior neighborhood on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, has filed paperwork to run against Mayor London Breed in 2024. </p>

Safaí revealed in an exclusive interview with The Standard in March that <a href="https://sfstandard.com/politics/ahsha-safai-says-he-might-run-against-mayor-london-breed-next-year/">he was considering challenging Breed</a> in next year&#8217;s election. Safaí filed papers with the city&#8217;s Department of Elections on Monday, appearing to make the challenge official.

<p>Safaí revealed in an exclusive interview with The Standard in March that <a href="https://sfstandard.com/politics/ahsha-safai-says-he-might-run-against-mayor-london-breed-next-year/">he was considering challenging Breed</a> in next year's election. Safaí filed papers with the city's Department of Elections on Monday, appearing to make the challenge official. </p>

<p>Safaí revealed in an exclusive interview with The Standard in March that <a href="https://sfstandard.com/politics/ahsha-safai-says-he-might-run-against-mayor-london-breed-next-year/">he was considering challenging Breed</a> in next year&#8217;s election. Safaí filed papers with the city&#8217;s Department of Elections on Monday, appearing to make the challenge official. </p>

&#8220;The city right now is in crisis, and I’m having a lot of people—on a daily basis—talk about the future of the city,” Safaí told The Standard in March. “Are we headed in the right direction? I think overwhelmingly people are saying, ‘No, we’re not.’”&nbsp;

<p>"The city right now is in crisis, and I’m having a lot of people—on a daily basis—talk about the future of the city,” Safaí told The Standard in March. “Are we headed in the right direction? I think overwhelmingly people are saying, ‘No, we’re not.’”&nbsp;</p>

<p>&#8220;The city right now is in crisis, and I’m having a lot of people—on a daily basis—talk about the future of the city,” Safaí told The Standard in March. “Are we headed in the right direction? I think overwhelmingly people are saying, ‘No, we’re not.’”&nbsp;</p>

Safaí is the highest-profile challenger to Breed&#8217;s reelection so far, though <a href="https://sfstandard.com/politics/san-francisco-mayor-polls-london-breed-challengers-election-2024/">multiple polls in recent weeks</a> have sent rumors flying that others could jump into the race. It&#8217;s unknown who commissioned the polls, but they appeared to test voter sentiment on Assemblymember Phil Ting, entrepreneur Daniel Lurie and a handful of <a href="https://sfstandard.com/politics/san-francisco-mayor-polls-london-breed-challengers-election-2024/">other prospective candidates</a> for mayor.

<p>Safaí is the highest-profile challenger to Breed's reelection so far, though <a href="https://sfstandard.com/politics/san-francisco-mayor-polls-london-breed-challengers-election-2024/">multiple polls in recent weeks</a> have sent rumors flying that others could jump into the race. It's unknown who commissioned the polls, but they appeared to test voter sentiment on Assemblymember Phil Ting, entrepreneur Daniel Lurie and a handful of <a href="https://sfstandard.com/politics/san-francisco-mayor-polls-london-breed-challengers-election-2024/">other prospective candidates</a> for mayor.  </p>

<p>Safaí is the highest-profile challenger to Breed&#8217;s reelection so far, though <a href="https://sfstandard.com/politics/san-francisco-mayor-polls-london-breed-challengers-election-2024/">multiple polls in recent weeks</a> have sent rumors flying that others could jump into the race. It&#8217;s unknown who commissioned the polls, but they appeared to test voter sentiment on Assemblymember Phil Ting, entrepreneur Daniel Lurie and a handful of <a href="https://sfstandard.com/politics/san-francisco-mayor-polls-london-breed-challengers-election-2024/">other prospective candidates</a> for mayor.  </p>

Breed set up a campaign committee last year and had raised almost $165,000 by the end of last year.

<p>Breed set up a campaign committee last year and had raised almost $165,000 by the end of last year.</p>

Mayor London Breed gets a reelection challenger

Josh Koehn

Politicians and pontificators are expected to make mistakes from time to time. It’s a peril of the job when constantly going on camera, stepping onstage, talking into a microphone, and tweeting. But there’s a spectrum of error, from a gaffe or unforced self-own to a fatal pattern of misbehavior. Here are some of the silliest slip-ups, biggest blunders, and most career-ending crashes in San Francisco and national politics from an exhausting election year.

<p>Politicians and pontificators are expected to make mistakes from time to time. It’s a peril of the job when constantly going on camera, stepping onstage, talking into a microphone, and tweeting. But there’s a spectrum of error, from a gaffe or unforced self-own to a fatal pattern of misbehavior. Here are some of the silliest slip-ups, biggest blunders, and most career-ending crashes in San Francisco and national politics from an exhausting election year.</p>


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-ethics-evader-mark-farrell-nbsp">The ethics evader: Mark Farrell&nbsp;</h2>


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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-ethics-evader-mark-farrell-nbsp">The ethics evader: Mark Farrell&nbsp;</h2>

Former-mayor Mark Farrell during a meet and greet with voters at the blue painted lady on Tuesday July 23, 2024. About 40 people sat inside the blue painted lady for a private town hall event with former-mayor Mark Farrell where he made his pitch for reelection and voters asked questions about zoning, downtown, crime, and other problems plaguing the city.


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="1668" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/20240723_farrellvisitspaintedladies_-0252.jpg?w=2500" alt="A man in a suit stands smiling with arms crossed. He's surrounded by people, facing them, and appears to be in a formal setting with paneled walls." class="wp-image-314061"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Mayoral candidate Mark Farrell thinks about his last visit to Alcatraz.</figcaption></figure>


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/20240723_farrellvisitspaintedladies_-0252.jpg?w=2500" alt="A man in a suit stands smiling with arms crossed. He's surrounded by people, facing them, and appears to be in a formal setting with paneled walls." class="wp-image-314061"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Mayoral candidate Mark Farrell thinks about his last visit to Alcatraz.</figcaption></figure>

Where to begin? Mark Farrell was an early frontrunner in the mayor’s race, only to see his campaign derailed by one <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/07/01/mark-farrell-campaign-money-san-francisco-restaurants-bars/">report</a> after <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/07/24/mark-farrell-campaign-finance-ballot-committee-payment/">another</a> about his <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/10/07/sf-mayors-criminal-investigation-mark-farrell/">ethical lapses</a>. It’s almost unfair to suggest the former supervisor and interim mayor was guilty of a “gaffe” when his campaign was hit with <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/11/04/farrell-to-pay-108000-in-ethics-commission-settlement-for-election-violations/">the largest ethics fine in San Francisco history</a> a day before the election. But if we had to go with just one face-palm moment, it would probably be <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/06/13/san-francisco-mayor-debate-takeaways/">the candidate debate</a> in which Farrell said his favorite thing to do in San Francisco is visit Alcatraz. Way to seem normal, man.

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5 fun takeaways from the first San Francisco mayoral debate

<p>Where to begin? Mark Farrell was an early frontrunner in the mayor’s race, only to see his campaign derailed by one <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/07/01/mark-farrell-campaign-money-san-francisco-restaurants-bars/">report</a> after <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/07/24/mark-farrell-campaign-finance-ballot-committee-payment/">another</a> about his <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/10/07/sf-mayors-criminal-investigation-mark-farrell/">ethical lapses</a>. It’s almost unfair to suggest the former supervisor and interim mayor was guilty of a “gaffe” when his campaign was hit with <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/11/04/farrell-to-pay-108000-in-ethics-commission-settlement-for-election-violations/">the largest ethics fine in San Francisco history</a> a day before the election. But if we had to go with just one face-palm moment, it would probably be <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/06/13/san-francisco-mayor-debate-takeaways/">the candidate debate</a> in which Farrell said his favorite thing to do in San Francisco is visit Alcatraz. Way to seem normal, man.</p>

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The flip-floppers: Ben and Felicia Horowitz


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-flip-floppers-ben-and-felicia-horowitz">The flip-floppers: Ben and Felicia Horowitz</h2>


SUN VALLEY, IDAHO - JULY 07: Co-founder of the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz Ben Horowitz and his wife Felicia walk to lunch at the Allen &amp; Company Sun Valley Conference on July 07, 2021 in Sun Valley, Idaho. After a year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the world’s most wealthy and powerful businesspeople from the media, finance, and technology worlds will converge at the Sun Valley Resort for the exclusive weeklong conference. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="1744" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/gettyimages-1327532544.jpg?w=2500" alt="A man in a green shirt and shorts, and a woman in a white dress with long boots, walk hand in hand on a path lined with colorful flowers." class="wp-image-302374"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ben Horowitz and his wife, Felicia, had a change of heart just in time to back the losing candidate for president.</figcaption></figure>


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/gettyimages-1327532544.jpg?w=2500" alt="A man in a green shirt and shorts, and a woman in a white dress with long boots, walk hand in hand on a path lined with colorful flowers." class="wp-image-302374"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ben Horowitz and his wife, Felicia, had a change of heart just in time to back the losing candidate for president.</figcaption></figure>

When you’re a billionaire, you can afford to change your mind as often as you want. But venture capitalist Ben Horowitz and his wife, Felicia, managed to pull off an embarrassing flip-flop that went viral. The couple <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/08/16/felicia-ben-horowitz-party-switch/">stunned their Democrat friends</a> after Ben announced with a16z partner Marc Andreessen that the firm was backing Donald Trump for president. The Horowitzes had been longtime supporters of Democrat candidates and close friends with Kamala Harris, which made the decision mystifying. A story by The Standard scrutinizing the couple’s shift to the right drew a pre-publication rebuke from Ben on X — where, as is his wont, he opened with Kendrick Lamar rap lyrics — only for the couple to <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/10/04/after-public-trump-endorsement-ben-and-felicia-horowitz-flip-flop-to-donate-to-harris/">jump ship back to Harris</a> in October. To be fair, Felicia’s defensive quote about the chairman of The Standard and reporter Emily Shugerman — “Mike Moritz and Emily Shugerman can kiss the crack of my black ass” — was objectively funny (sorry, Mike and Emily!) and makes the melodrama worth the time wasted.

How ex-liberal billionaires Ben and Felicia Horowitz made a MAGA U-turn

After public Trump support, Ben and Felicia Horowitz flip to back Harris

<p>When you’re a billionaire, you can afford to change your mind as often as you want. But venture capitalist Ben Horowitz and his wife, Felicia, managed to pull off an embarrassing flip-flop that went viral. The couple <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/08/16/felicia-ben-horowitz-party-switch/">stunned their Democrat friends</a> after Ben announced with a16z partner Marc Andreessen that the firm was backing Donald Trump for president. The Horowitzes had been longtime supporters of Democrat candidates and close friends with Kamala Harris, which made the decision mystifying. A story by The Standard scrutinizing the couple’s shift to the right drew a pre-publication rebuke from Ben on X — where, as is his wont, he opened with Kendrick Lamar rap lyrics — only for the couple to <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/10/04/after-public-trump-endorsement-ben-and-felicia-horowitz-flip-flop-to-donate-to-harris/">jump ship back to Harris</a> in October. To be fair, Felicia’s defensive quote about the chairman of The Standard and reporter Emily Shugerman — “Mike Moritz and Emily Shugerman can kiss the crack of my black ass” — was objectively funny (sorry, Mike and Emily!) and makes the melodrama worth the time wasted.</p>


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-diss-tracker-garry-tan">The diss-tracker: Garry Tan</h2>


Tech entrepreneur and CEO of Y Combinator Garry Tan gesticulates during an interview at his offices in the Dogpatch neighborhood of San Francisco on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023. Garry Tan has become a political activist and is one of the fiercest critics of progressives in San Francisco.


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="1663" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/garrytan09272023_014.jpg?w=2500" alt="A man with glasses and a beard is sitting on a couch gesturing with his hands. He appears to be explaining something, set against a cozy, blurred background." class="wp-image-330116"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan learned a political lesson after a late-night tweet inspired by a 2pac diss track.</figcaption></figure>


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/garrytan09272023_014.jpg?w=2500" alt="A man with glasses and a beard is sitting on a couch gesturing with his hands. He appears to be explaining something, set against a cozy, blurred background." class="wp-image-330116"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan learned a political lesson after a late-night tweet inspired by a 2pac diss track.</figcaption></figure>

Speaking of people in tech who should not quote rap lyrics! <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/09/27/garry-tan-y-combinator-declares-war-san-francisco-politics-progressives-elon-musk/">Garry Tan</a>, CEO of Y Combinator, stepped in it last January when he riffed on a classic 2pac diss track by suggesting San Francisco supervisors should “die slow.” Subbing in elected officials’ names in the lyrics did not go over well, as several progressive supervisors received death threats, and <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/01/30/garry-tan-vulgar-tweet-prompts-san-francisco-police-reports/">police reports were filed</a>. Tan apologized, and his tweets softened for a short spell before he returned to the social media soap box with a vengeance in the leadup to November’s election.

Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan’s war on San Francisco politics has only just begun

Garry Tan’s vulgar tweet prompts police reports by San Francisco supervisors

<p>Speaking of people in tech who should not quote rap lyrics! <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/09/27/garry-tan-y-combinator-declares-war-san-francisco-politics-progressives-elon-musk/">Garry Tan</a>, CEO of Y Combinator, stepped in it last January when he riffed on a classic 2pac diss track by suggesting San Francisco supervisors should “die slow.” Subbing in elected officials’ names in the lyrics did not go over well, as several progressive supervisors received death threats, and <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/01/30/garry-tan-vulgar-tweet-prompts-san-francisco-police-reports/">police reports were filed</a>. Tan apologized, and his tweets softened for a short spell before he returned to the social media soap box with a vengeance in the leadup to November’s election.</p>


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-garbage-collector-joe-biden">The garbage collector: Joe Biden</h2>


August 19: President Joe Biden takes the stage before delivering the keynote speech during the first day of the Democratic National Convention on August 19, 2024, at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.  Vice President Kamala Harris will formally accept the party's nomination for president at the DNC.


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="1900" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/gettyimages-2166820632.jpg?w=2500" alt="A man in a suit stands at a podium, shielding his eyes with his hand as if looking into the distance. The background is a soft blue with vertical lines." class="wp-image-303404"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">President Joe Biden looks back to the time when he should have bowed out of the race.</figcaption></figure>


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/gettyimages-2166820632.jpg?w=2500" alt="A man in a suit stands at a podium, shielding his eyes with his hand as if looking into the distance. The background is a soft blue with vertical lines." class="wp-image-303404"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">President Joe Biden looks back to the time when he should have bowed out of the race.</figcaption></figure>

It might seem like elder abuse to include Joe Biden in this list, but, after all, he’s still the president and leader of the free world. Of course, he should have bowed out many moons before <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/06/28/joe-biden-debate-democrats-donald-trump-gavin-newsom/">his disastrous debate against Trump</a>. And yeah, introducing Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky as “President Putin” at a NATO summit wasn’t great. But Sleepy Joe’s most impactful gaffe came in the home stretch of the election, when he responded to a racist joke by a Trump-supporting comedian by calling Trump supporters <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2024-10-31/us-election-2024-biden-gaffe-hands-trump-a-late-political-gift">“garbage.”</a> It was as if Biden completely forgot what happened to Hillary Clinton in 2016 after her “basket of deplorables” comment. OK, yeah, he probably did forget.

&#8216;He needs to step down&#8217;: City&#8217;s political class reels from Biden debate disaster

<p>It might seem like elder abuse to include Joe Biden in this list, but, after all, he’s still the president and leader of the free world. Of course, he should have bowed out many moons before <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/06/28/joe-biden-debate-democrats-donald-trump-gavin-newsom/">his disastrous debate against Trump</a>. And yeah, introducing Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky as “President Putin” at a NATO summit wasn’t great. But Sleepy Joe’s most impactful gaffe came in the home stretch of the election, when he responded to a racist joke by a Trump-supporting comedian by calling Trump supporters <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2024-10-31/us-election-2024-biden-gaffe-hands-trump-a-late-political-gift">“garbage.”</a> It was as if Biden completely forgot what happened to Hillary Clinton in 2016 after her “basket of deplorables” comment. OK, yeah, he probably did forget.</p>


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-highway-to-hell-joel-engardio">The highway to hell: Joel Engardio</h2>


Supervisor Joel Engardio 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 height="1668" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/20240227_supervisorsmeeting-29.jpg?w=2500" alt="A man in a suit and tie sits at a desk, looking serious and focused. Laptops are in front of him, and a blurred background suggests an office setting." class="wp-image-253642"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Supervisor Joel Engardio faces a recall attempt in just his third year in office.</figcaption></figure>


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/20240227_supervisorsmeeting-29.jpg?w=2500" alt="A man in a suit and tie sits at a desk, looking serious and focused. Laptops are in front of him, and a blurred background suggests an office setting." class="wp-image-253642"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Supervisor Joel Engardio faces a recall attempt in just his third year in office.</figcaption></figure>

Since his <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2022/10/06/san-francisco-political-campaign-taxpayer-money/">long-sought election victory</a> in 2022 to become supervisor of the Sunset, Joel Engardio has received praise for his policy chops and ability to work with peers and constituents. But in a colossal miscalculation that could cost him his job, Engardio sponsored Proposition K to permanently ban cars from the upper portion of the Great Highway and turn it into a park. He failed to get a full read from residents of his district, and <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/12/03/recall-campaign-joel-engardio-prop-k-great-highway/">he’s likely to face a recall</a> in 2025 as irritated constituents get set to gather signatures. It’s a rather stunning fall from grace that could shake up the tenuous moderate majority of the Board of Supervisors.

SF will pay for your political campaign: Meet the candidates who got the most taxpayer money

Sunset residents launch effort to recall Supervisor Joel Engardio

<p>Since his <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2022/10/06/san-francisco-political-campaign-taxpayer-money/">long-sought election victory</a> in 2022 to become supervisor of the Sunset, Joel Engardio has received praise for his policy chops and ability to work with peers and constituents. But in a colossal miscalculation that could cost him his job, Engardio sponsored Proposition K to permanently ban cars from the upper portion of the Great Highway and turn it into a park. He failed to get a full read from residents of his district, and <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/12/03/recall-campaign-joel-engardio-prop-k-great-highway/">he’s likely to face a recall</a> in 2025 as irritated constituents get set to gather signatures. It’s a rather stunning fall from grace that could shake up the tenuous moderate majority of the Board of Supervisors.</p>


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-kearny-killer-london-breed">The Kearny killer: London Breed</h2>


Mayor London Breed speaks to reporters at   post-election party at Victory Hall in San Francisco on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Before Breed arrived at the party, polls showed her trailing behind her opponent, Daniel Lurie.


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="1668" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/w2a7988.jpg?w=2500" alt="A woman in a blue blazer stands in front of multiple microphones, speaking at a press event. She is wearing a pin that says &quot;VOTE&quot; and appears focused and composed." class="wp-image-329674"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Mayor London Breed managed to enrage a critical demographic of voters with a proposed sober-living center in Chinatown.</figcaption></figure>


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/w2a7988.jpg?w=2500" alt="A woman in a blue blazer stands in front of multiple microphones, speaking at a press event. She is wearing a pin that says &quot;VOTE&quot; and appears focused and composed." class="wp-image-329674"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Mayor London Breed managed to enrage a critical demographic of voters with a proposed sober-living center in Chinatown.</figcaption></figure>

In a year in which every mayoral candidate was desperately courting votes from the Asian American community, Mayor London Breed <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/02/08/san-francisco-chinatown-sober-living-facility-london-breed/">sparked outrage among Chinatown residents and businesses</a> by announcing plans for a 150-unit sober-living center on Kearny Street. Residents said they weren&#8217;t consulted before an announcement was made, leading to an awkward encounter for Breed with cameras rolling. The plan for the center was quickly scrapped, but many voters didn’t forgive or forget, as Breed was denied a second term.

Breed confronted over planned Chinatown sober living facility  

<p>In a year in which every mayoral candidate was desperately courting votes from the Asian American community, Mayor London Breed <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/02/08/san-francisco-chinatown-sober-living-facility-london-breed/">sparked outrage among Chinatown residents and businesses</a> by announcing plans for a 150-unit sober-living center on Kearny Street. Residents said they weren't consulted before an announcement was made, leading to an awkward encounter for Breed with cameras rolling. The plan for the center was quickly scrapped, but many voters didn’t forgive or forget, as Breed was denied a second term.</p>

<p>In a year in which every mayoral candidate was desperately courting votes from the Asian American community, Mayor London Breed <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/02/08/san-francisco-chinatown-sober-living-facility-london-breed/">sparked outrage among Chinatown residents and businesses</a> by announcing plans for a 150-unit sober-living center on Kearny Street. Residents said they weren&#8217;t consulted before an announcement was made, leading to an awkward encounter for Breed with cameras rolling. The plan for the center was quickly scrapped, but many voters didn’t forgive or forget, as Breed was denied a second term.</p>


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-late-bloomer-ahsha-safai">The late-bloomer: Ahsha Safaí</h2>


District 11 supervisor Ahsha Safaí speaks during a press conference at Third Baptist Church in San Francisco about recent hate crimes on Thursday, September 5, 2024. Both victims and city officials discussed the rash of racist attacks and the city’s response.


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="1667" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/20240905-racistattackspresser_aar_20.jpg?w=2500" alt="A man in a blue suit and tie is speaking at a podium with a red cloth and microphone, gesturing with his hands. Organ pipes are visible in the background." class="wp-image-308432"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Supervisor and mayoral candidate Ahsha Safaí had a curious campaign strategy when it came to releasing ads.</figcaption></figure>


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/20240905-racistattackspresser_aar_20.jpg?w=2500" alt="A man in a blue suit and tie is speaking at a podium with a red cloth and microphone, gesturing with his hands. Organ pipes are visible in the background." class="wp-image-308432"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Supervisor and mayoral candidate Ahsha Safaí had a curious campaign strategy when it came to releasing ads.</figcaption></figure>

He barely stood a chance of winning the San Francisco mayor’s race, but waiting until just a few weeks before the election to release his first campaign ad didn’t help Supervisor Ahsha Safaí’s chances. He announced <a href="https://x.com/Ahsha_Safai/status/1844867749404868911">his first official campaign ad</a> Oct. 11 — almost a year and a half after revealing his candidacy and 10 days after ballots had been sent to voters. The terming-out supervisor also <a href="https://x.com/ahsha_safai/status/1765529297006276695?s=46&amp;t=pyd4Acn73VWtIC6nuFy7LA">released a weird video</a> in March that appeared to have the high-res quality of grandpa’s old flip phone. In the tech capital of the world, never go full pixel.

<p>He barely stood a chance of winning the San Francisco mayor’s race, but waiting until just a few weeks before the election to release his first campaign ad didn’t help Supervisor Ahsha Safaí’s chances. He announced <a href="https://x.com/Ahsha_Safai/status/1844867749404868911">his first official campaign ad</a> Oct. 11 — almost a year and a half after revealing his candidacy and 10 days after ballots had been sent to voters. The terming-out supervisor also <a href="https://x.com/ahsha_safai/status/1765529297006276695?s=46&amp;t=pyd4Acn73VWtIC6nuFy7LA">released a weird video</a> in March that appeared to have the high-res quality of grandpa’s old flip phone. In the tech capital of the world, never go full pixel.</p>


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-balance-loser-nancy-pelosi">The balance loser: Nancy Pelosi</h2>


US President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) applauds during a joint session of Congress in the U.S. Capitol House Chamber on March 1, 2022 in Washington, DC. During his first State of the Union address, President Joe Biden spoke on his administration’s efforts to lead a global response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, work to curb inflation, and bring the country out of the COVID-19 pandemic.


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="1667" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/gettyimages-123886429821.jpg?w=2500" alt="A woman in a blue suit claps with a US flag backdrop. A man in a suit speaks at a podium in the foreground. The scene is formal and patriotic." class="wp-image-289941"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi waited too long to help push Biden off the ticket.</figcaption></figure>


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/gettyimages-123886429821.jpg?w=2500" alt="A woman in a blue suit claps with a US flag backdrop. A man in a suit speaks at a podium in the foreground. The scene is formal and patriotic." class="wp-image-289941"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi waited too long to help push Biden off the ticket.</figcaption></figure>

A momentary loss of balance during an official visit to Luxembourg earned the speaker emerita a new hip — and a <a href="https://x.com/jayobtv/status/1869118356139475271?s=46">memorable photo op</a> —&nbsp;this month. But Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s more consequential stumble lay in refusing to admit until far too late what was plain for all to see: Biden had no business running for a second term. In February, Pelosi said the president was “very sharp” and noted that he is younger than her. As a result, Pelosi and Democratic leaders denied the party a chance to hold a real primary and better understand the issues important to voters. While she and venture capitalist Ron Conway were instrumental in eventually <a href="https://www.theinformation.com/articles/the-silicon-valley-godfather-who-helped-push-out-the-president">pushing Biden off the ticket</a>, it was too little, too late.

<p>A momentary loss of balance during an official visit to Luxembourg earned the speaker emerita a new hip — and a <a href="https://x.com/jayobtv/status/1869118356139475271?s=46">memorable photo op</a> —&nbsp;this month. But Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s more consequential stumble lay in refusing to admit until far too late what was plain for all to see: Biden had no business running for a second term. In February, Pelosi said the president was “very sharp” and noted that he is younger than her. As a result, Pelosi and Democratic leaders denied the party a chance to hold a real primary and better understand the issues important to voters. While she and venture capitalist Ron Conway were instrumental in eventually <a href="https://www.theinformation.com/articles/the-silicon-valley-godfather-who-helped-push-out-the-president">pushing Biden off the ticket</a>, it was too little, too late.</p>


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-ai-assassin-scott-wiener">The AI assassin: Scott Wiener</h2>


State Sen. Scott Wiener has pushed for psychedelic decriminalization during several legislative sessions.


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/010324-senate-session-fg-cm.jpeg?w=1568" alt="a man in a light blue suit holding a sheaf of papers points while speaking" class="wp-image-251011"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">State Sen. Scott Wiener has made plenty of enemies during his time in office, but Big Tech may be No. 1.</figcaption></figure>


Never afraid of a good political brawl, state Sen. Scott Wiener, representing San Francisco, may have finally bitten off more than he can chew. He has refused to back away from principled legislation to create more housing in California and expand LGBTQ+ rights, leading to a near-endless stream of attacks and even death threats. But his effort to push through legislation that would <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/08/28/sb-1047-ai-safety-bill-scott-wiener-nancy-pelosi/">regulate the rapidly accelerating AI industry</a> — drawing opposition from Conway, OpenAI, Meta, and even <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/08/27/sb1047-ai-san-francisco-london-breed-scott-wiener/">political ally Breed</a>&nbsp; — may have irreparably severed political ties with the city’s deep-pocketed tech community. Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed Wiener’s AI bill, SB 1047, in late September, meaning all that effort went for naught and may leave the senator stranded on a political island as he <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/08/30/christine-pelosi-scott-wiener-shadow-campaign/">looks to succeed Pelosi in Congress</a>.

State lawmakers send controversial AI safety bill dividing local leaders to Newsom&#8217;s desk

London Breed comes out against ally Scott Wiener&#8217;s controversial AI safety bill

Christine Pelosi breaks her silence on the &#8216;shadow campaign&#8217; against Scott Wiener

<p>Never afraid of a good political brawl, state Sen. Scott Wiener, representing San Francisco, may have finally bitten off more than he can chew. He has refused to back away from principled legislation to create more housing in California and expand LGBTQ+ rights, leading to a near-endless stream of attacks and even death threats. But his effort to push through legislation that would <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/08/28/sb-1047-ai-safety-bill-scott-wiener-nancy-pelosi/">regulate the rapidly accelerating AI industry</a> — drawing opposition from Conway, OpenAI, Meta, and even <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/08/27/sb1047-ai-san-francisco-london-breed-scott-wiener/">political ally Breed</a>&nbsp; — may have irreparably severed political ties with the city’s deep-pocketed tech community. Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed Wiener’s AI bill, SB 1047, in late September, meaning all that effort went for naught and may leave the senator stranded on a political island as he <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/08/30/christine-pelosi-scott-wiener-shadow-campaign/">looks to succeed Pelosi in Congress</a>.</p>

The year’s biggest political fumbles

Han Li

A current San Francisco supervisor and 2024 <a href="https://sfstandard.com/politics/ahsha-safai-says-he-might-run-against-mayor-london-breed-next-year/">candidate for mayor</a> is looking to limit the reach of cannabis businesses by banning all new dispensary applications.

<p>A current San Francisco supervisor and 2024 <a href="https://sfstandard.com/politics/ahsha-safai-says-he-might-run-against-mayor-london-breed-next-year/">candidate for mayor</a> is looking to limit the reach of cannabis businesses by banning all new dispensary applications.</p>

Supervisor Ahsha Safaí proposed a new moratorium at the Board of Supervisors’ meeting Tuesday, citing safety and community concerns.

<p>Supervisor Ahsha Safaí proposed a new moratorium at the Board of Supervisors’ meeting Tuesday, citing safety and community concerns.</p>

“Let’s be clear—we have no shortage of cannabis retail storefronts, and many are suffering because of brazen break-ins, public safety concerns and an unregulated market that is not facing proper enforcement,” Safaí said in a statement announcing the proposal.

<p>“Let’s be clear—we have no shortage of cannabis retail storefronts, and many are suffering because of brazen break-ins, public safety concerns and an unregulated market that is not facing proper enforcement,” Safaí said in a statement announcing the proposal.</p>

He urged City Hall to focus on processing existing equity applications. Currently, there are about 30 cannabis dispensaries with storefronts in San Francisco as well as another 30 medical cannabis stores. A number of other <a href="https://sfplanninggis.org/cannabisretail/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">applications are pending</a> with the Office of Cannabis and will not be impacted by the proposed ban.

<p>He urged City Hall to focus on processing existing equity applications. Currently, there are about 30 cannabis dispensaries with storefronts in San Francisco as well as another 30 medical cannabis stores. A number of other <a href="https://sfplanninggis.org/cannabisretail/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">applications are pending</a> with the Office of Cannabis and will not be impacted by the proposed ban.</p>

In pushing for a halt to new dispensaries, Safaí’s office noted that implementation of 2016’s Proposition 64, in which California voters permitted the recreational use of cannabis, takes place at the local level.

<p>In pushing for a halt to new dispensaries, Safaí’s office noted that implementation of 2016’s Proposition 64, in which California voters permitted the recreational use of cannabis, takes place at the local level.</p>

An individual holds a “Pasta Not Pot” sign during a protest against opening a cannabis dispensary on the upper level of Gold Mirror Italian Restaurant’s building in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, April 7, 2023. The group argues that dispensaries should not be opened in areas that children frequently transit and spend time. | Benjamin Fanjoy for The Standard


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="1668" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/FEATURED_CannabisChineseCommunity_04192023-2500x1668.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-151104"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">An individual holds a “Pasta Not Pot” sign during a protest against opening a cannabis dispensary in the Sunset District on April 7, 2023. | Benjamin Fanjoy for The Standard</figcaption></figure>


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/FEATURED_CannabisChineseCommunity_04192023-2500x1668.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-151104"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">An individual holds a “Pasta Not Pot” sign during a protest against opening a cannabis dispensary in the Sunset District on April 7, 2023. | Benjamin Fanjoy for The Standard</figcaption></figure>

Search Results for: ahsha safaí

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The year’s biggest political fumbles

Running for mayor, this SF supervisor calls for ban on new cannabis dispensaries