Max Harrison-Caldwell

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

San Francisco live election results

core/paragraph

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

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

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

Board of Supervisors District 3

sf-standard/datawrapper-chart

Board of Supervisors District 9

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

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

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

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

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

Other districts are still too close to call.

<p>Other districts are still too close to call. </p>

Board of Supervisors District 1

Board of Supervisors District 5

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

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

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

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

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

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.

<p>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.</p>

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;

<p>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;</p>

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.

<p>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.</p>

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;

<p>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;</p>

“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.”

<p>“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.”</p>

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>.

<p>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>.</p>

“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.”

<p>“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.”</p>

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.

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

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>


core/image

<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 <em>Aladdin</em>.”&nbsp;

<p>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 <em>Aladdin</em>.”&nbsp;</p>

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.

<p>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.</p>

“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.”

<p>“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.”</p>

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.

<p>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.</p>

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.

<p>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.</p>

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.

<p>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.</p>

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

<p>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;</p>

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;

<p>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;</p>

“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.”

<p>“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.”</p>

Bilal Mahmood claims progressives target him with racist election mailer

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.

Tech exec challenges San Francisco’s lone Democratic Socialist supervisor

<p>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.</p>

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

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

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;

San Francisco moderate Democrats want a clean sweep of local party

<p>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;</p>

“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.

<p>“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.</p>

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.

Donors have funneled $1.6M into an obscure March race. That&#8217;s a big problem, says watchdog

<p>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.</p>

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.

<p>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.</p>

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.

<p>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.</p>

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.

<p>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.</p>

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

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

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.

<p>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.</p>

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

<p>“I immediately tried to stop it,” Mahmood said.</p>

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;

<p>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;</p>

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>.

<p>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>.</p>

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;

<p>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."</p>

<p>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;</p>

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

<p>The supervisor issued a statement Wednesday slamming Mahmood’s mailer.</p>

“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;

<p>“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;</p>

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.

<p>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.</p>

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

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

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.

<p>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.</p>

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.

Get to know the longshots running for San Francisco mayor

<p>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.</p>

“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.”

<p>“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.”</p>

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>.

Bilal Mahmood, entrepreneur and scientist, on why he&#8217;s running

Breaking the SF doom loop: Convert downtown offices into student housing

<p>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>.</p>

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.

<p>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.</p>

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

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

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;

Ex-San Francisco building inspection engineers took bribes, feds say

<p>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;</p>

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.

<p>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.</p>

“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.”

<p>“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.”</p>

<p>“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.”</p>

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

<p>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.</p>


<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.”

<p>“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.”</p>

<p>“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.”</p>

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.

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

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

Elon Musk calls for imprisonment of Democratic Socialist San Francisco supervisor

<p>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.</p>

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

<p>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></p>

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.

<p>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.</p>

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;

<p>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;</p>

“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.

<p>“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.</p>

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.

<p>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.</p>

The Standard Staff

With Bilal Mahmood&#8217;s lead widening over San Francisco Supervisor Dean Preston, the incumbent has acknowledged his likely loss in the District 5 race.

<p>With Bilal Mahmood's lead widening over San Francisco Supervisor Dean Preston, the incumbent has acknowledged his likely loss in the District 5 race.</p>

<p>With Bilal Mahmood&#8217;s lead widening over San Francisco Supervisor Dean Preston, the incumbent has acknowledged his likely loss in the District 5 race.</p>

In an Instagram post after the latest round of returns, the progressive lawmaker acknowledged defeat in what was the city&#8217;s most expensive supervisorial race this year.

<p>In an Instagram post after the latest round of returns, the progressive lawmaker acknowledged defeat in what was the city's most expensive supervisorial race this year.</p>

<p>In an Instagram post after the latest round of returns, the progressive lawmaker acknowledged defeat in what was the city&#8217;s most expensive supervisorial race this year.</p>

&#8220;I’ve spent a lifetime fighting for underdogs, often against the odds,&#8221; Preston wrote. &#8220;I wouldn’t change a minute of it. We can’t win every battle, but we’ll continue the fight.&#8221;

<p>"I’ve spent a lifetime fighting for underdogs, often against the odds," Preston wrote. "I wouldn’t change a minute of it. We can’t win every battle, but we’ll continue the fight."</p>

<p>&#8220;I’ve spent a lifetime fighting for underdogs, often against the odds,&#8221; Preston wrote. &#8220;I wouldn’t change a minute of it. We can’t win every battle, but we’ll continue the fight.&#8221;</p>

core/embed

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.instagram.com/p/DCNsEWuRCiu/
</div></figure>

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DCNsEWuRCiu/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:500px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DCNsEWuRCiu/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DCNsEWuRCiu/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Dean Preston (@deanprestond5)</a></p></div></blockquote><script async src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>

Preston won the seat in a special election in 2019 and was elected to a full term the following year. The lone democratic socialist on the Board of Supervisors, he positioned himself as an advocate for renters and proposed tackling the opioid crisis by opening safe injection sites and hiring more community ambassadors.

<p>Preston won the seat in a special election in 2019 and was elected to a full term the following year. The lone democratic socialist on the Board of Supervisors, he positioned himself as an advocate for renters and proposed tackling the opioid crisis by opening safe injection sites and hiring more community ambassadors.</p>

Live blog: Connie Chan wins in D1, and other election updates

sf-standard/related-post

sf-standard/related-posts-container

Mahmood, a tech entrepreneur, ran on the promise of increasing housing supply and bolstering the police force. His victory would be a huge upset for one of the city&#8217;s most progressive districts, which encompasses the Tenderloin, Haight-Ashbury, and Western Addition.

<p>Mahmood, a tech entrepreneur, ran on the promise of increasing housing supply and bolstering the police force. His victory would be a huge upset for one of the city's most progressive districts, which encompasses the Tenderloin, Haight-Ashbury, and Western Addition.</p>

<p>Mahmood, a tech entrepreneur, ran on the promise of increasing housing supply and bolstering the police force. His victory would be a huge upset for one of the city&#8217;s most progressive districts, which encompasses the Tenderloin, Haight-Ashbury, and Western Addition.</p>

&#8220;I think it shows that [voters] want a progressive who’s going to get results,&#8221; Mahmood told The Standard in a phone call Sunday evening.

<p>"I think it shows that [voters] want a progressive who’s going to get results," Mahmood told The Standard in a phone call Sunday evening. </p>

<p>&#8220;I think it shows that [voters] want a progressive who’s going to get results,&#8221; Mahmood told The Standard in a phone call Sunday evening. </p>

As with the March primary, moderate candidates have mostly come out on top in San Francisco&#8217;s latest election, although their ballot measures have had mixed success.

<p>As with the March primary, moderate candidates have mostly come out on top in San Francisco's latest election, although their ballot measures have had mixed success.</p>

<p>As with the March primary, moderate candidates have mostly come out on top in San Francisco&#8217;s latest election, although their ballot measures have had mixed success.</p>

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://twitter.com/agarwal/status/1855811122714325222
</div></figure>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Two years ago we beat an incumbent Supervisor. This year we beat an incumbent Supervisor. No one should assume their seat is safe.<br><br>San Francisco is ready for change. <a href="https://t.co/IlsAcNyITM">https://t.co/IlsAcNyITM</a></p>&mdash; Sachin Agarwal (@agarwal) <a href="https://twitter.com/agarwal/status/1855811122714325222?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Dean Preston accepts likely loss to Bilal Mahmood in San Francisco’s heated D5 race

Week 5: Nima Momeni trial

Join Jonah Owen Lamb and Beki San Martin Friday to talk about everything this week in the Nima Momeni trial from martial arts, stab wounds, reactions in the court and more.

Search Results for: bilal mahmood

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

Bilal Mahmood claims progressives target him with racist election mailer

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

Tech exec challenges San Francisco’s lone Democratic Socialist supervisor

Dean Preston accepts likely loss to Bilal Mahmood in San Francisco’s heated D5 race