Astrid Kane

Bilal Mahmood, who is running for a seat on the Democratic County Central Committee in Tuesday’s election and for the Board of Supervisors in November, has been targeted by opponents in a way that he believes distorts his record—and darkens his skin and eyes.

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Bilal Mahmood, who is running for a seat on the Democratic County Central Committee in Tuesday’s election and for the Board of Supervisors in November, has been targeted by opponents in a way that he believes distorts his record—and darkens his skin and eyes.

A campaign mailer, a text blast and <a href="http://meetmahmood.com">the website meetmahmood.com</a> all state that Mahmood has fabricated his credentials, claiming—among other things—that he is not a neuroscientist, that he inflated his title when he worked for the Obama administration and that he has never run a nonprofit.&nbsp;

A campaign mailer, a text blast and <a href="http://meetmahmood.com">the website meetmahmood.com</a> all state that Mahmood has fabricated his credentials, claiming—among other things—that he is not a neuroscientist, that he inflated his title when he worked for the Obama administration and that he has never run a nonprofit.&nbsp;

Paid for by the Labor and Working Families Slate, the mailer shows him in half-profile, with a shadow falling across his face. Mahmood contends that his skin tone has been deliberately darkened. Although he is being attacked from the political left, he describes it as a racist tactic from the Republican Party playbook.

Paid for by the Labor and Working Families Slate, the mailer shows him in half-profile, with a shadow falling across his face. Mahmood contends that his skin tone has been deliberately darkened. Although he is being attacked from the political left, he describes it as a racist tactic from the Republican Party playbook.

San Francisco politics can be famously bruising, but Mahmood believes this particular campaign exceeds the limits of acceptable political discourse and veers into outright racism.&nbsp;

San Francisco politics can be famously bruising, but Mahmood believes this particular campaign exceeds the limits of acceptable political discourse and veers into outright racism.&nbsp;

“I remember when they did this to Stacey Abrams,” he said, referring to the 2018 and 2022 <a href="https://www.georgiademocrat.org/kemp-campaign-darkens-abrams-skin-in-new-tv-ad/">Democratic candidate for governor of Georgia</a>, who is Black. “That’s my context for it. Even one shade, it has a statistically significant impact on depressing the vote. It’s insidious.”

“I remember when they did this to Stacey Abrams,” he said, referring to the 2018 and 2022 <a href="https://www.georgiademocrat.org/kemp-campaign-darkens-abrams-skin-in-new-tv-ad/">Democratic candidate for governor of Georgia</a>, who is Black. “That’s my context for it. Even one shade, it has a statistically significant impact on depressing the vote. It’s insidious.”

Reached for comment, Daniel Anderson, a consultant for the <a href="https://www.laborandworkingfamilies.com/">Labor and Working Families Slate</a>, which paid for the mailer, said the team stood by the mailer’s accusations and presentation. The image was not darkened, he added, but was taken <a href="https://twitter.com/bilalmahmood/status/1750225827143516528">from Mahmood’s own tweet</a>.

Reached for comment, Daniel Anderson, a consultant for the <a href="https://www.laborandworkingfamilies.com/">Labor and Working Families Slate</a>, which paid for the mailer, said the team stood by the mailer’s accusations and presentation. The image was not darkened, he added, but was taken <a href="https://twitter.com/bilalmahmood/status/1750225827143516528">from Mahmood’s own tweet</a>.

“We’re saying [Mahmood] is backed by billionaires and Republicans and has taken money from [Y Combinator CEO] Garry Tan, and we’re alleging he’s committed some serious ethics violations,” Anderson said. “I think it’s important that voters know about this person who is running.”

“We’re saying [Mahmood] is backed by billionaires and Republicans and has taken money from [Y Combinator CEO] Garry Tan, and we’re alleging he’s committed some serious ethics violations,” Anderson said. “I think it’s important that voters know about this person who is running.”

The Labor and Working Families Slate is a Democratic County Central Committee slate affiliated with the city&#8217;s progressives. Funded by unions and individual contributions, it endorses candidates, organizes phone banks and coordinates get-out-the-vote drives and campaign literature drops.

The Labor and Working Families Slate is a Democratic County Central Committee slate affiliated with the city's progressives. Funded by unions and individual contributions, it endorses candidates, organizes phone banks and coordinates get-out-the-vote drives and campaign literature drops.

The Labor and Working Families Slate is a Democratic County Central Committee slate affiliated with the city&#8217;s progressives. Funded by unions and individual contributions, it endorses candidates, organizes phone banks and coordinates get-out-the-vote drives and campaign literature drops.

The flyer urging people to vote no to Bilal Mahmood also contains several assertions that Mahmood contests.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/inline-01-bilal1-crop.jpg?w=2500" alt="a multicolored politcal flyer urging people to vote no" class="wp-image-254738"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The flyer urging people to vote no to Bilal Mahmood also contains several assertions that Mahmood contests.</figcaption></figure>

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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/inline-01-bilal1-crop.jpg?w=2500" alt="a multicolored politcal flyer urging people to vote no" class="wp-image-254738"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The flyer urging people to vote no to Bilal Mahmood also contains several assertions that Mahmood contests.</figcaption></figure>

Beyond the contested photographs, Mahmood believes that meetmahmood.com makes use of language and visual tropes that portray him as a magician out to deceive the voters with tricks. “If you put it all together, that’s a very old stereotype of Muslim people: the sorcerer, a Disney villain,” he said. “I’m not Jafar from Aladdin.”&nbsp;

Beyond the contested photographs, Mahmood believes that meetmahmood.com makes use of language and visual tropes that portray him as a magician out to deceive the voters with tricks. “If you put it all together, that’s a very old stereotype of Muslim people: the sorcerer, a Disney villain,” he said. “I’m not Jafar from Aladdin.”&nbsp;

This is not the first time a candidate of color has made claims around representation on opposition mailers. Marjan Philhour, another moderate running for a seat on the DCCC in Tuesday’s election and for supervisor in November, cited a similar experience.

This is not the first time a candidate of color has made claims around representation on opposition mailers. Marjan Philhour, another moderate running for a seat on the DCCC in Tuesday’s election and for supervisor in November, cited a similar experience.

“In my case, there have been similar ads where my skin was also darkened and my face was somewhat distorted,” Philhour said. “It’s all part of a larger political machine keeping newcomers out of local politics.”

“In my case, there have been similar ads where my skin was also darkened and my face was somewhat distorted,” Philhour said. “It’s all part of a larger political machine keeping newcomers out of local politics.”

Mahmood offered rebuttals to each of the campaign’s biographical assertions. To the statement that he’s not a neuroscientist, he said he holds a bachelor’s degree in biological science from Stanford University and an M.Phil (the equivalent of a master’s) in bioscience enterprise from Cambridge University, and conducted neuroscience research for one year under professor Robert Sapolsky. He worked for the Obama administration for a six-month period in 2011; after that, the interagency task force he sat on concluded its work, he said. He was not an intern.

Mahmood offered rebuttals to each of the campaign’s biographical assertions. To the statement that he’s not a neuroscientist, he said he holds a bachelor’s degree in biological science from Stanford University and an M.Phil (the equivalent of a master’s) in bioscience enterprise from Cambridge University, and conducted neuroscience research for one year under professor Robert Sapolsky. He worked for the Obama administration for a six-month period in 2011; after that, the interagency task force he sat on concluded its work, he said. He was not an intern.

With respect to the assertion that Mahmood voted in Santa Clara County, he stated that he maintained a permanent residence there before fully relocating to San Francisco. To the point that he has poured $600,000 of his own money into his races, Mahmood clarified that he spent “more than half a million dollars” on his failed 2022 campaign for an Assembly seat but has not&nbsp; self-funded in his bid for the DCCC or for District 5 supervisor.

With respect to the assertion that Mahmood voted in Santa Clara County, he stated that he maintained a permanent residence there before fully relocating to San Francisco. To the point that he has poured $600,000 of his own money into his races, Mahmood clarified that he spent “more than half a million dollars” on his failed 2022 campaign for an Assembly seat but has not&nbsp; self-funded in his bid for the DCCC or for District 5 supervisor.

Mahmood’s clean energy nonprofit, Electric Action, has <a href="https://www.electricaction.org/">only a nominal online presence</a>. It does not appear in state filings, but a spokesperson for SPUR, the San Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association, confirmed that that organization had served as Electric Action’s fiscal sponsor. This is a common practice for small nonprofits.

Mahmood’s clean energy nonprofit, Electric Action, has <a href="https://www.electricaction.org/">only a nominal online presence</a>. It does not appear in state filings, but a spokesperson for SPUR, the San Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association, confirmed that that organization had served as Electric Action’s fiscal sponsor. This is a common practice for small nonprofits.

At the same time, Mahmood’s campaigns have faced their ethical troubles. Last month, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/02/15/san-francisco-elections-bilal-mahmood-ethics-complaints/">he “self-reported” a violation</a> in which he used the logo for his supervisor campaign (for which individual contributions are capped at $500) on a mailer for his DCCC campaign (for which contributions are unlimited).&nbsp;

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

At the same time, Mahmood’s campaigns have faced their ethical troubles. Last month, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/02/15/san-francisco-elections-bilal-mahmood-ethics-complaints/">he “self-reported” a violation</a> in which he used the logo for his supervisor campaign (for which individual contributions are capped at $500) on a mailer for his DCCC campaign (for which contributions are unlimited).&nbsp;

Mahmood believes this campaign may not even be about his bid for a seat on the DCCC. Rather, it’s about his fight to unseat District 5 Supervisor Dean Preston in November. District 5 straddles the boundary of the city’s two Assembly districts, AD 17 and AD 19. Only residents of AD 17 are eligible to vote for Mahmood on the DCCC, yet homes in both halves of District 5 received versions of the attack ad.&nbsp;

Mahmood believes this campaign may not even be about his bid for a seat on the DCCC. Rather, it’s about his fight to unseat District 5 Supervisor Dean Preston in November. District 5 straddles the boundary of the city’s two Assembly districts, AD 17 and AD 19. Only residents of AD 17 are eligible to vote for Mahmood on the DCCC, yet homes in both halves of District 5 received versions of the attack ad.&nbsp;

“Several political people noted there are no sources and no footnotes,” he said of the mailer’s claims. Comparing it to the conspiracy theory that President Barack Obama wasn’t born in the United States, he added, “I feel like I’m having to produce my birth certificate.”

“Several political people noted there are no sources and no footnotes,” he said of the mailer’s claims. Comparing it to the conspiracy theory that President Barack Obama wasn’t born in the United States, he added, “I feel like I’m having to produce my birth certificate.”

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Josh Koehn

San Francisco’s Ethics Commission has received multiple reports of a campaign violation by tech entrepreneur Bilal Mahmood, who is both <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/01/23/tech-exec-challenges-san-francisco-democratic-socialist-supervisor-dean-preston/">challenging Supervisor Dean Preston</a> in November and running for a seat on the governing committee for the local Democratic Party in March.

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San Francisco’s Ethics Commission has received multiple reports of a campaign violation by tech entrepreneur Bilal Mahmood, who is both <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/01/23/tech-exec-challenges-san-francisco-democratic-socialist-supervisor-dean-preston/">challenging Supervisor Dean Preston</a> in November and running for a seat on the governing committee for the local Democratic Party in March.

In an unusual twist, it appears one of those reports came from Mahmood himself.

In an unusual twist, it appears one of those reports came from Mahmood himself.

At the end of last month, Mahmood sent out <a href="https://twitter.com/bilalmahmood/status/1752431225594409394?s=20">a tweet</a> admitting that a mistake was made in a mailer promoting his bid to serve on the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/10/16/san-francisco-moderate-democrats-party-dccc/">Democratic County Central Committee (DCCC)</a>. The mailer—sent just weeks before the March 5 election—featured a logo for his supervisor campaign, which is a major no-no.&nbsp;

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At the end of last month, Mahmood sent out <a href="https://twitter.com/bilalmahmood/status/1752431225594409394?s=20">a tweet</a> admitting that a mistake was made in a mailer promoting his bid to serve on the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/10/16/san-francisco-moderate-democrats-party-dccc/">Democratic County Central Committee (DCCC)</a>. The mailer—sent just weeks before the March 5 election—featured a logo for his supervisor campaign, which is a major no-no.&nbsp;

“It’s one of the most egregious violations I have ever seen,” said Jim Stearns, a longtime political consultant in San Francisco who previously worked on Preston’s 2020 campaign.

“It’s one of the most egregious violations I have ever seen,” said Jim Stearns, a longtime political consultant in San Francisco who previously worked on Preston’s 2020 campaign.

The error strikes at the core of what new Ethics Commission chief Patrick Ford called <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/02/12/san-francisco-ethics-commission-patrick-ford/">“one of the single biggest problems that we have”</a> in local elections.

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The error strikes at the core of what new Ethics Commission chief Patrick Ford called <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/02/12/san-francisco-ethics-commission-patrick-ford/">“one of the single biggest problems that we have”</a> in local elections.

DCCC candidates can raise unlimited funds for their campaigns, while individual contributions to supervisor candidates are capped at $500. The massive sums of money going into DCCC campaigns—almost $1.8 million total, according to the <a href="https://sfethics.org/ethics/2023/12/campaign-finance-dashboards-march-5-2024.html">Ethics Commission’s campaign dashboard</a>—have raised concerns that some candidates are using their DCCC efforts as a way to bypass contribution limits in their bids for supervisor.

DCCC candidates can raise unlimited funds for their campaigns, while individual contributions to supervisor candidates are capped at $500. The massive sums of money going into DCCC campaigns—almost $1.8 million total, according to the <a href="https://sfethics.org/ethics/2023/12/campaign-finance-dashboards-march-5-2024.html">Ethics Commission’s campaign dashboard</a>—have raised concerns that some candidates are using their DCCC efforts as a way to bypass contribution limits in their bids for supervisor.

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 alignwide size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/105162023BOSRoundup-054.jpg?w=1675" alt="Dean Preston listens during a meeting." class="wp-image-161688"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Supervisor Dean Preston is up for reelection in November and will face off against tech entrepreneur Bilal Mahmood.</figcaption></figure>

Matthew Pancia, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America’s local chapter and a volunteer for Preston’s past supervisor campaigns, filed <a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24427328-sfec-complaint-bilal-mahmood">a complaint</a> with the Ethics Commission a day after seeing Mahmood’s tweet.

Matthew Pancia, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America’s local chapter and a volunteer for Preston’s past supervisor campaigns, filed <a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24427328-sfec-complaint-bilal-mahmood">a complaint</a> with the Ethics Commission a day after seeing Mahmood’s tweet.

He said he was motivated to alert the city’s political watchdog because of the “shady” way money is going into DCCC races with coinciding supervisor contests.

He said he was motivated to alert the city’s political watchdog because of the “shady” way money is going into DCCC races with coinciding supervisor contests.

“It bothers me just objectively,” Pancia said. “Even if I was a cynical political operative—which I’m not—it’s still shitty.”

“It bothers me just objectively,” Pancia said. “Even if I was a cynical political operative—which I’m not—it’s still shitty.”

Mahmood, who announced his bid for supervisor three weeks ago and has raised more than $230,000 for his DCCC bid, said he personally called the Ethics Commission to report the violation after realizing there was no way to prevent the mail from going out.

Mahmood, who announced his bid for supervisor three weeks ago and has raised more than $230,000 for his DCCC bid, said he personally called the Ethics Commission to report the violation after realizing there was no way to prevent the mail from going out.

“I immediately tried to stop it,” Mahmood said.

“I immediately tried to stop it,” Mahmood said.

He blamed the violation on a political consultant and said he was “taking action” against the individual to make sure such mistakes don’t happen again.&nbsp;

He blamed the violation on a political consultant and said he was “taking action” against the individual to make sure such mistakes don’t happen again.&nbsp;

Mahmood also noted that Preston “has had his own mistakes” leading to ethics complaints, most notably in 2016, when Preston’s campaign against then-Supervisor and now-Mayor London Breed featured a picture of a community organizer who reportedly <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/Ethics-complaint-filed-against-Breed-District-5-9235314.php">told Preston not to feature his photo in campaign ads</a>.

Mahmood also noted that Preston “has had his own mistakes” leading to ethics complaints, most notably in 2016, when Preston’s campaign against then-Supervisor and now-Mayor London Breed featured a picture of a community organizer who reportedly <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/Ethics-complaint-filed-against-Breed-District-5-9235314.php">told Preston not to feature his photo in campaign ads</a>.

An <a href="https://sfethics.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Dean-Preston-for-District-5-Supervisor-2016.pdf">audit</a> later found that Preston&#8217;s 2016 campaign could not provide receipts or invoices for almost $13,000 in expenditures and was &#8220;non-compliant with state and city campaign finance laws.&#8221;

An <a href="https://sfethics.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Dean-Preston-for-District-5-Supervisor-2016.pdf">audit</a> later found that Preston's 2016 campaign could not provide receipts or invoices for almost $13,000 in expenditures and was "non-compliant with state and city campaign finance laws."

An <a href="https://sfethics.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Dean-Preston-for-District-5-Supervisor-2016.pdf">audit</a> later found that Preston&#8217;s 2016 campaign could not provide receipts or invoices for almost $13,000 in expenditures and was &#8220;non-compliant with state and city campaign finance laws.&#8221;

The supervisor issued a statement Wednesday slamming Mahmood’s mailer.

The supervisor issued a statement Wednesday slamming Mahmood’s mailer.

“My opponent doesn’t seem to take ethics rules or truth very seriously,” Preston said. “That’s already quite clear just weeks into his campaign.”&nbsp;

“My opponent doesn’t seem to take ethics rules or truth very seriously,” Preston said. “That’s already quite clear just weeks into his campaign.”&nbsp;

It’s unclear how quickly the Ethics Commission will act, as a spokesperson for the agency said the City Charter prohibits any comment on potential investigations. But the violation and subsequent confession would seem to make this an open-and-shut case.

It’s unclear how quickly the Ethics Commission will act, as a spokesperson for the agency said the City Charter prohibits any comment on potential investigations. But the violation and subsequent confession would seem to make this an open-and-shut case.

“We’ll see what happens when they complete an investigation,” Mahmood said.

“We’ll see what happens when they complete an investigation,” Mahmood said.

One of the worst-kept secrets in local politics is finally out in the open, as tech entrepreneur <a href="https://sfstandard.com/search/?query=bilal%20mahmood">Bilal Mahmood</a> confirmed to The Standard in an exclusive interview that he will file paperwork this week to challenge Supervisor <a href="https://sfstandard.com/search/?query=dean%20preston">Dean Preston</a> in November’s election.

One of the worst-kept secrets in local politics is finally out in the open, as tech entrepreneur <a href="https://sfstandard.com/search/?query=bilal%20mahmood">Bilal Mahmood</a> confirmed to The Standard in an exclusive interview that he will file paperwork this week to challenge Supervisor <a href="https://sfstandard.com/search/?query=dean%20preston">Dean Preston</a> in November’s election.

Mahmood said he will formally file papers with the San Francisco Department of Elections on Thursday, setting the stage for what could become the most closely watched local contest outside of the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/01/15/san-francisco-who-else-election-mayor/">mayor’s race</a> due to the candidates’ radically different visions for the city and the crises playing out in District 5. Issues around homelessness, public safety and drugs—particularly in the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/search/?query=tenderloin">Tenderloin neighborhood</a>, which became part of the district in 2022—are in some ways emblematic of problems San Francisco is facing on the whole.

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Mahmood said he will formally file papers with the San Francisco Department of Elections on Thursday, setting the stage for what could become the most closely watched local contest outside of the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/01/15/san-francisco-who-else-election-mayor/">mayor’s race</a> due to the candidates’ radically different visions for the city and the crises playing out in District 5. Issues around homelessness, public safety and drugs—particularly in the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/search/?query=tenderloin">Tenderloin neighborhood</a>, which became part of the district in 2022—are in some ways emblematic of problems San Francisco is facing on the whole.

“If we can solve the challenges of District 5, we can solve the challenges of the entire city,” Mahmood said. “And that, to me, is why this district is important.”

“If we can solve the challenges of District 5, we can solve the challenges of the entire city,” Mahmood said. “And that, to me, is why this district is important.”

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">Bilala Mahmood, pictured near Civic Center, said that District 5&#8217;s challenges are emblematic of the city as a whole.</figcaption></figure>

<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">Bilala Mahmood, pictured near Civic Center, said that District 5's challenges are emblematic of the city as a whole.</figcaption></figure>

<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">Bilala Mahmood, pictured near Civic Center, said that District 5&#8217;s challenges are emblematic of the city as a whole.</figcaption></figure>

Mahmood, 36, previously <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2021/11/18/bilal-mahmood-entrepreneur-and-scientist-on-why-hes-running/">ran for state Assembly in 2022</a>, finishing with a surprisingly strong third-place showing in the primary despite never running for elected office. Since then, he has spent time meeting with local officials and community stakeholders, as well as writing about <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/openforum/article/sf-housing-development-red-tape-17815725.php">San Francisco’s excessive red tape</a>. He also spearheaded an initial effort to lure universities into creating <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/04/10/sf-doom-loop-convert-downtown-offices-student-housing-uc-berkeley/">campuses and housing in vacant Downtown commercial towers</a>.

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Mahmood, 36, previously <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2021/11/18/bilal-mahmood-entrepreneur-and-scientist-on-why-hes-running/">ran for state Assembly in 2022</a>, finishing with a surprisingly strong third-place showing in the primary despite never running for elected office. Since then, he has spent time meeting with local officials and community stakeholders, as well as writing about <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/openforum/article/sf-housing-development-red-tape-17815725.php">San Francisco’s excessive red tape</a>. He also spearheaded an initial effort to lure universities into creating <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/04/10/sf-doom-loop-convert-downtown-offices-student-housing-uc-berkeley/">campuses and housing in vacant Downtown commercial towers</a>.

While the District 5 race would seem to be a clear case of a moderate Democrat challenging a progressive incumbent—Preston’s 2019 election victory made him the first Democratic Socialist to win a supervisor seat in almost 40 years—Mahmood has said he wants to move away from the divisive rhetoric on both sides. He also distanced himself from Mayor London Breed.

While the District 5 race would seem to be a clear case of a moderate Democrat challenging a progressive incumbent—Preston’s 2019 election victory made him the first Democratic Socialist to win a supervisor seat in almost 40 years—Mahmood has said he wants to move away from the divisive rhetoric on both sides. He also distanced himself from Mayor London Breed.

“I don’t have her endorsement,” Mahmood said. “I’m not seeking it either.”

“I don’t have her endorsement,” Mahmood said. “I’m not seeking it either.”

Mahmood, who attended Stanford University and the University of Cambridge before working as a policy analyst in the Obama Administration and launching a career in tech, said he is running for supervisor because City Hall is “fundamentally broken.” Bureaucracy, he said, has led to <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/03/department-of-building-inspection-former-engineers-charged/">corruption</a> and a <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/openforum/article/san-francisco-city-jobs-18334860.php">sclerotic hiring process</a> that leads to staffing shortages in public safety, while a <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/openforum/article/sf-housing-development-red-tape-17815725.php">broken permitting system</a> has hampered development.&nbsp;

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Mahmood, who attended Stanford University and the University of Cambridge before working as a policy analyst in the Obama Administration and launching a career in tech, said he is running for supervisor because City Hall is “fundamentally broken.” Bureaucracy, he said, has led to <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/03/department-of-building-inspection-former-engineers-charged/">corruption</a> and a <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/openforum/article/san-francisco-city-jobs-18334860.php">sclerotic hiring process</a> that leads to staffing shortages in public safety, while a <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/openforum/article/sf-housing-development-red-tape-17815725.php">broken permitting system</a> has hampered development.&nbsp;

Preston, a former tenants rights attorney who has opposed new housing developments and called for defunding the police, has contributed to the problems, said Mahmood, who moved to the Tenderloin last year and has been a renter in the city since 2014.

Preston, a former tenants rights attorney who has opposed new housing developments and called for defunding the police, has contributed to the problems, said Mahmood, who moved to the Tenderloin last year and has been a renter in the city since 2014.

“He’s consistently blocked housing, and he’s not been collaborating with the community,” Mahmood said. “If you talk with most community members here [in the Tenderloin], they don&#8217;t see him.”

“He’s consistently blocked housing, and he’s not been collaborating with the community,” Mahmood said. “If you talk with most community members here [in the Tenderloin], they don't see him.”

“He’s consistently blocked housing, and he’s not been collaborating with the community,” Mahmood said. “If you talk with most community members here [in the Tenderloin], they don&#8217;t see him.”

Over the last year, Preston has increasingly become a target of moderate political groups in the city. The supervisor, who <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2022/07/14/property-stock-crypto-sf-mayor-supervisors/">owns a home by Alamo Square</a>, has framed his reelection as a battle for the soul of San Francisco, saying the opposition he is facing is part of a “billionaire backlash” funded by wealthy tech executives. Preston often attributes much of the city’s problems to income inequality and capitalism. He did not respond to a request for comment for this story.

Crypto, tech stocks and expensive homes: What SF&#8217;s elected officials own

Over the last year, Preston has increasingly become a target of moderate political groups in the city. The supervisor, who <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2022/07/14/property-stock-crypto-sf-mayor-supervisors/">owns a home by Alamo Square</a>, has framed his reelection as a battle for the soul of San Francisco, saying the opposition he is facing is part of a “billionaire backlash” funded by wealthy tech executives. Preston often attributes much of the city’s problems to income inequality and capitalism. He did not respond to a request for comment for this story.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/105162023BOSRoundup-054.jpg?w=1675" alt="Dean Preston listens during a meeting." class="wp-image-161688"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Supervisor Dean Preston, the Board of Supervisors&#8217; lone Democratic Socialist, is facing opposition from moderates in his November reelection. </figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/105162023BOSRoundup-054.jpg?w=1675" alt="Dean Preston listens during a meeting." class="wp-image-161688"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Supervisor Dean Preston, the Board of Supervisors' lone Democratic Socialist, is facing opposition from moderates in his November reelection. </figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/105162023BOSRoundup-054.jpg?w=1675" alt="Dean Preston listens during a meeting." class="wp-image-161688"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Supervisor Dean Preston, the Board of Supervisors&#8217; lone Democratic Socialist, is facing opposition from moderates in his November reelection. </figcaption></figure>

“What is wrong with the district right now is that Dean is too focused on pointing fingers and making excuses for why things don&#8217;t work, rather than finding solutions and results,” Mahmood said. “You have a supervisor that’s saying the way we bring economic opportunity and solve the public safety crisis by ending capitalism. Even if you believe that to be true, that’s not going to happen overnight.”

“What is wrong with the district right now is that Dean is too focused on pointing fingers and making excuses for why things don't work, rather than finding solutions and results,” Mahmood said. “You have a supervisor that’s saying the way we bring economic opportunity and solve the public safety crisis by ending capitalism. Even if you believe that to be true, that’s not going to happen overnight.”

“What is wrong with the district right now is that Dean is too focused on pointing fingers and making excuses for why things don&#8217;t work, rather than finding solutions and results,” Mahmood said. “You have a supervisor that’s saying the way we bring economic opportunity and solve the public safety crisis by ending capitalism. Even if you believe that to be true, that’s not going to happen overnight.”

In September, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/09/22/elon-musk-pledges-100k-to-defeat-san-francisco-elected-official-dean-preston/">Elon Musk tweeted</a> that he would contribute $100,000 to helping oust Preston in reply to a tweet by <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/09/27/garry-tan-y-combinator-declares-war-san-francisco-politics-progressives-elon-musk/">Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan</a>, who has been one of the supervisor’s fiercest critics. Musk then went a step further by saying Preston <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/09/29/elon-musk-calls-for-imprisonment-of-democratic-socialist-san-francisco-supervisor/">“should go to prison”</a> for legislation he had written, prompting the supervisor to call Musk a fascist.

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In September, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/09/22/elon-musk-pledges-100k-to-defeat-san-francisco-elected-official-dean-preston/">Elon Musk tweeted</a> that he would contribute $100,000 to helping oust Preston in reply to a tweet by <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/09/27/garry-tan-y-combinator-declares-war-san-francisco-politics-progressives-elon-musk/">Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan</a>, who has been one of the supervisor’s fiercest critics. Musk then went a step further by saying Preston <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/09/29/elon-musk-calls-for-imprisonment-of-democratic-socialist-san-francisco-supervisor/">“should go to prison”</a> for legislation he had written, prompting the supervisor to call Musk a fascist.

Meanwhile, the moderate political group GrowSF, which is led by two former tech workers, announced last summer that it had raised more than $300,000 for its <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/07/31/dump-dean-preston-pac-growsf-declares-war-sf-supervisor-election/">“Dump Dean PAC.”</a>

‘Dump Dean PAC’ declares war on San Francisco’s Democratic Socialist Supervisor Dean Preston

Meanwhile, the moderate political group GrowSF, which is led by two former tech workers, announced last summer that it had raised more than $300,000 for its <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/07/31/dump-dean-preston-pac-growsf-declares-war-sf-supervisor-election/">“Dump Dean PAC.”</a>

Spending by independent groups will likely focus on the policy differences between the two candidates, but Mahmood said he also intends to show the difference in their lived experiences.

Spending by independent groups will likely focus on the policy differences between the two candidates, but Mahmood said he also intends to show the difference in their lived experiences.

Mahmood is the son of Pakistani immigrants, and his first visits to what is now District 5—which also includes the Haight, Japantown, the Western Addition and NoPa—began when he was a boy growing up in the Peninsula. Shalimar, a Pakistani and Indian restaurant on Jones Street in the Tenderloin, was the only restaurant in the Bay Area that served his family’s native dishes at that time. The restaurant remains his favorite to this day.&nbsp;

Mahmood is the son of Pakistani immigrants, and his first visits to what is now District 5—which also includes the Haight, Japantown, the Western Addition and NoPa—began when he was a boy growing up in the Peninsula. Shalimar, a Pakistani and Indian restaurant on Jones Street in the Tenderloin, was the only restaurant in the Bay Area that served his family’s native dishes at that time. The restaurant remains his favorite to this day.&nbsp;

“I think [the Tenderloin has] the best food in town, specifically some of the best ethnic cuisines,” Mahmood said, before quickly adding that restaurants in Japantown are also at the top of his list.

“I think [the Tenderloin has] the best food in town, specifically some of the best ethnic cuisines,” Mahmood said, before quickly adding that restaurants in Japantown are also at the top of his list.

While the supervisor race won’t be decided until November, Mahmood is also appearing on the March ballot for a seat on the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/10/16/san-francisco-moderate-democrats-party-dccc/">San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee</a>. Officials fundraising numbers aren’t due to be reported until the end of this month, but Mahmood said he had raised more than $200,000 in that race.

While the supervisor race won’t be decided until November, Mahmood is also appearing on the March ballot for a seat on the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/10/16/san-francisco-moderate-democrats-party-dccc/">San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee</a>. Officials fundraising numbers aren’t due to be reported until the end of this month, but Mahmood said he had raised more than $200,000 in that race.

Han Li

Gabe Greschler

The San Francisco Democratic Party made its coveted political endorsements for November races Wednesday night — and one of the city’s most influential Democratic leaders surprised many with how she doled out her stamps of approval. 

The San Francisco Democratic Party made its coveted political endorsements for November races Wednesday night — and one of the city’s most influential Democratic leaders surprised many with how she doled out her stamps of approval.

Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, an ex-officio member of the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee (DCCC), voted in contrast to the majority of the committee by supporting progressive supervisors Connie Chan and Dean Preston at the endorsement meeting. The committee voted overwhelmingly to support their opponents, Marjan Philhour and Bilal Mahmood.

Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, an ex-officio member of the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee (DCCC), voted in contrast to the majority of the committee by supporting progressive supervisors Connie Chan and Dean Preston at the endorsement meeting. The committee voted overwhelmingly to support their opponents, Marjan Philhour and Bilal Mahmood.

Pelosi also stayed out of the mayoral race by voting for no endorsement, while incumbent Mayor London Breed secured the group’s sole endorsement. Longtime Democratic activist Susan Pfeifer served as Pelosi’s proxy at the meeting. Pelosi did not vote to endorse Breed during her 2018 mayoral race.

Pelosi also stayed out of the mayoral race by voting for no endorsement, while incumbent Mayor London Breed secured the group’s sole endorsement. Longtime Democratic activist Susan Pfeifer served as Pelosi’s proxy at the meeting. Pelosi did not vote to endorse Breed during her 2018 mayoral race.

Pelosi has a tradition of endorsing incumbents in San Francisco, backing both moderates and progressives. However, her support for Preston left some observers scratching their heads, as the Democratic Socialist supervisor is considered far to the left of the former Speaker. 

Pelosi has a tradition of endorsing incumbents in San Francisco, backing both moderates and progressives. However, her support for Preston left some observers scratching their heads, as the Democratic Socialist supervisor is considered far to the left of the former Speaker.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Pelosi is in DC and disconnected from local SF politics. This is a grave error. Very grave.<a href="https://t.co/0szorVp08g">https://t.co/0szorVp08g</a>&mdash; Daniel Owens (@Daniel___Owens) <a href="https://twitter.com/Daniel___Owens/status/1816227678590230678?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 24, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

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https://twitter.com/autumnlooijen/status/1816237614980292752
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Deeply respect <a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakerPelosi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpeakerPelosi</a>&#8230; &#8230;and am disappointed to see an endorsement for Dean, who represents the Tenderloin but refuses to do what it takes to close the drug markets &#8212; the #1 issue in SF. A vote for Dean is a vote to let people die by the hundreds on our streets. <a href="https://t.co/Xt22hj6Nln">https://t.co/Xt22hj6Nln</a>&mdash; Autumn Looijen for D5 Supervisor (@autumnlooijen) <a href="https://twitter.com/autumnlooijen/status/1816237614980292752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 24, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Supervisor Myrna Melgar, who received the endorsement of both Pelosi and the DCCC, praised Pelosi’s mentorship of local party activists. 

Supervisor Myrna Melgar, who received the endorsement of both Pelosi and the DCCC, praised Pelosi’s mentorship of local party activists.

“As an immigrant mom and woman of color, it means a lot to me to have the support from one of the most powerful women in this country,” said Melgar. 

“As an immigrant mom and woman of color, it means a lot to me to have the support from one of the most powerful women in this country,” said Melgar.

Breed’s campaign declined to comment. A spokesperson for Pelosi did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Breed’s campaign declined to comment. A spokesperson for Pelosi did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Pelosi bucks local Democrats, endorses progressive supervisors — but not Breed

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>.

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>.

Both Mahmood and Looijen are considered more moderate than Preston. Looijen said she likes Mahmood a lot, but wants to provide voters a different option.

Both Mahmood and Looijen are considered more moderate than Preston. Looijen said she likes Mahmood a lot, but wants to provide voters a different option.

Preston, a Democratic Socialist and tenants&#8217; rights attorney, is the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/03/04/supervisor-dean-preston-reelection/">most progressive voice on the Board of Supervisors</a>.&nbsp;

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Preston, a Democratic Socialist and tenants' rights attorney, is the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/03/04/supervisor-dean-preston-reelection/">most progressive voice on the Board of Supervisors</a>.&nbsp;

Preston, a Democratic Socialist and tenants&#8217; rights attorney, is the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/03/04/supervisor-dean-preston-reelection/">most progressive voice on the Board of Supervisors</a>.&nbsp;

In a statement, Preston&#8217;s campaign accused both Looijen and Mahmood of receiving money from tech executive Garry Tan, who <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/01/30/garry-tan-vulgar-tweet-prompts-san-francisco-police-reports/">created controversy due to an angry tweet saying &#8220;die slow&#8221; to many city supervisors, including Preston</a>.

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

In a statement, Preston's campaign accused both Looijen and Mahmood of receiving money from tech executive Garry Tan, who <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/01/30/garry-tan-vulgar-tweet-prompts-san-francisco-police-reports/">created controversy due to an angry tweet saying "die slow" to many city supervisors, including Preston</a>.

In a statement, Preston&#8217;s campaign accused both Looijen and Mahmood of receiving money from tech executive Garry Tan, who <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/01/30/garry-tan-vulgar-tweet-prompts-san-francisco-police-reports/">created controversy due to an angry tweet saying &#8220;die slow&#8221; to many city supervisors, including Preston</a>.

Supervisor Dean Preston speaks at a press conference at San Francisco City Hall on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, with the goal of ending raciallybiased traffic stops by police in San Francisco. 

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/SFPDTrafficStops011022-03.jpg?w=2500" alt="A man in glasses and business attire speaks at a podium against a red curtain backdrop." class="wp-image-126533"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Supervisor Dean Preston speaks at a press conference at San Francisco City Hall in 2023.</figcaption></figure>

&#8220;Looijen and Mahmood have each taken thousands of dollars from Garry Tan,&#8221; the statement said. &#8220;And neither has repudiated his death threats against seven supervisors.&#8221;

"Looijen and Mahmood have each taken thousands of dollars from Garry Tan," the statement said. "And neither has repudiated his death threats against seven supervisors."

&#8220;Looijen and Mahmood have each taken thousands of dollars from Garry Tan,&#8221; the statement said. &#8220;And neither has repudiated his death threats against seven supervisors.&#8221;

Tan donated $25,000 to <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/03/05/san-francisco-election-prop-g-eighth-grade-algebra-results/">the campaign for Proposition G</a> to urge the San Francisco public school district to offer algebra for eighth graders, a campaign that was led by Looijen and received overwhelming voter support. Mahmood also received $5,000 from Tan for his DCCC race.

San Francisco voters approve Prop. G, encouraging algebra in eighth grade

Tan donated $25,000 to <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/03/05/san-francisco-election-prop-g-eighth-grade-algebra-results/">the campaign for Proposition G</a> to urge the San Francisco public school district to offer algebra for eighth graders, a campaign that was led by Looijen and received overwhelming voter support. Mahmood also received $5,000 from Tan for his DCCC race.

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