Han Li

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

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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>

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<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.

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

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

Tech exec challenges San Francisco’s lone Democratic Socialist supervisor

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;

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

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.

Another candidate is Allen Jones, a Tenderloin resident and prison reform activist.

Another candidate is Allen Jones, a Tenderloin resident and prison reform activist.

School board recall activist to challenge Dean Preston for supervisor

Annie Gaus

San Francisco moderate Democrats have won control of the influential Democratic County Central Committee, or the governing board of the San Francisco Democratic Party—an upset that will determine key endorsements in the November general election.

San Francisco moderate Democrats have won control of the influential Democratic County Central Committee, or the governing board of the San Francisco Democratic Party—an upset that will determine key endorsements in the November general election.

The committee, also known as the DCCC, issues endorsements, helps register voters, charters Democratic clubs and passes policy resolutions. The race was closely watched due to a push by moderates to <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/10/16/san-francisco-moderate-democrats-party-dccc/">swing the local party back to the center</a>.

San Francisco moderate Democrats want a clean sweep of local party

The committee, also known as the DCCC, issues endorsements, helps register voters, charters Democratic clubs and passes policy resolutions. The race was closely watched due to a push by moderates to <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/10/16/san-francisco-moderate-democrats-party-dccc/">swing the local party back to the center</a>.

The DCCC has 24 elected members, including 14 from the 17th Assembly District—essentially the east side of San Francisco—and 10 from <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/article/catherine-stefani-sf-assembly-phil-ting-18635990.php">the 19th Assembly District</a>, which includes the city’s west side. It has eight “ex officio” members who are elected Democrats in state and federal offices. The top vote-getters in each district win seats on the committee.

The DCCC has 24 elected members, including 14 from the 17th Assembly District—essentially the east side of San Francisco—and 10 from <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/article/catherine-stefani-sf-assembly-phil-ting-18635990.php">the 19th Assembly District</a>, which includes the city’s west side. It has eight “ex officio” members who are elected Democrats in state and federal offices. The top vote-getters in each district win seats on the committee.

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The normally obscure race for DCCC received outsize focus this year because the committee will control endorsements for mayor, Board of Supervisors and other November races.&nbsp;

The normally obscure race for DCCC received outsize focus this year because the committee will control endorsements for mayor, Board of Supervisors and other November races.&nbsp;

Moderates organized a group of candidates called the Democrats for Change slate, whereas progressives ran a group called the Labor and Working Families slate. The races attracted <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/02/12/san-francisco-ethics-commission-patrick-ford/">large political donations</a>.

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

Moderates organized a group of candidates called the Democrats for Change slate, whereas progressives ran a group called the Labor and Working Families slate. The races attracted <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/02/12/san-francisco-ethics-commission-patrick-ford/">large political donations</a>.

&#8220;We need representatives on the DCCC who will champion the issues that matter most to San Francisco voters: public safety, abundant housing and quality public schools,&#8221; said Todd David, a political consultant who backed the Democrats for Change slate.

"We need representatives on the DCCC who will champion the issues that matter most to San Francisco voters: public safety, abundant housing and quality public schools," said Todd David, a political consultant who backed the Democrats for Change slate.

&#8220;We need representatives on the DCCC who will champion the issues that matter most to San Francisco voters: public safety, abundant housing and quality public schools,&#8221; said Todd David, a political consultant who backed the Democrats for Change slate.

Top vote-getters in AD 19 included Supervisor Catherine Stefani, former Supervisor Michaela Alioto-Pier, small business advocate Marjan Philhour and nonprofit executive Parag Gupta.

Top vote-getters in AD 19 included Supervisor Catherine Stefani, former Supervisor Michaela Alioto-Pier, small business advocate Marjan Philhour and nonprofit executive Parag Gupta.

In AD 17, Supervisor Matt Dorsey, prosecutor Nancy Tung, political activist Lily Ho and supervisor candidate Bilal Mahmood were among the top vote-getters as of Friday.

In AD 17, Supervisor Matt Dorsey, prosecutor Nancy Tung, political activist Lily Ho and supervisor candidate Bilal Mahmood were among the top vote-getters as of Friday.

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

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San Francisco moderates take control of Democratic Party leadership

Sam Mondros

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tech money fuels effort to defeat Democratic Socialist Supervisor Dean Preston

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dean Preston accused of lying about housing record in lawsuit

Judge rejects claim that Dean Preston lied about his housing record

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bilal Mahmood claims progressives target him with racist election mailer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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A lawsuit accusing San Francisco Supervisor Dean Preston of <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/06/25/lawsuit-dean-preston-housing-misinformation/">inflating his housing record</a> on a voter pamphlet was tossed after a judge said it failed to make a clear and convincing case that any deception occurred.&nbsp;

A lawsuit accusing San Francisco Supervisor Dean Preston of <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/06/25/lawsuit-dean-preston-housing-misinformation/">inflating his housing record</a> on a voter pamphlet was tossed after a judge said it failed to make a clear and convincing case that any deception occurred.&nbsp;

The complaint, filed by Corey Smith, executive director of the nonprofit Housing Action Coalition, accused the District 5 supervisor of lying in a candidate statement about approving 30,000 new homes, of which 86% were below-market-rate.

The complaint, filed by Corey Smith, executive director of the nonprofit Housing Action Coalition, accused the District 5 supervisor of lying in a candidate statement about approving 30,000 new homes, of which 86% were below-market-rate.

San Francisco Superior Court Judge Richard B. Ulmer Jr. rejected Smith’s petition to get the city to revise certain election materials.

San Francisco Superior Court Judge Richard B. Ulmer Jr. rejected Smith’s petition to get the city to revise certain election materials.

Preston celebrated the decision in a news release.

Preston celebrated the decision in a news release.

“Unlike the online discourse, in which false claims about my housing record are circulated nonstop with no fact checking, here we have a judge weighing in on the facts,” Preston said. “I’m proud of that record and gratified that the court upheld my right to present my record to voters.”

“Unlike the online discourse, in which false claims about my housing record are circulated nonstop with no fact checking, here we have a judge weighing in on the facts,” Preston said. “I’m proud of that record and gratified that the court upheld my right to present my record to voters.”

In a June phone call with The Standard, Smith described Preston’s housing claims as “bullshit,” saying 8,250 of the units the supervisor said were affordable were in fact hotel rooms he voted to approve during the Covid-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

In a June phone call with The Standard, Smith described Preston’s housing claims as “bullshit,” saying 8,250 of the units the supervisor said were affordable were in fact hotel rooms he voted to approve during the Covid-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

However, the judge sustained the idea that hotel rooms can be considered homes, saying “many thousand San Franciscans reside in hotel rooms for months.”&nbsp;

However, the judge sustained the idea that hotel rooms can be considered homes, saying “many thousand San Franciscans reside in hotel rooms for months.”&nbsp;

Furthermore, a nonprofit eventually converted many of the rooms into longer-term housing, a project championed by Preston.&nbsp;

Furthermore, a nonprofit eventually converted many of the rooms into longer-term housing, a project championed by Preston.&nbsp;

Smith also claimed that Preston had no right to take credit for the 10,000 concept homes authorized through Proposition K, since that measure —&nbsp; placed on the ballot by the Board of Supervisors — was approved by voters in 2020.

Smith also claimed that Preston had no right to take credit for the 10,000 concept homes authorized through Proposition K, since that measure —&nbsp; placed on the ballot by the Board of Supervisors — was approved by voters in 2020.

Ulmer disagreed with Smith’s contention, saying board approval set the stage for voter approval, and those kinds of procedural details don’t need to be included in a campaign pamphlet.&nbsp;

Ulmer disagreed with Smith’s contention, saying board approval set the stage for voter approval, and those kinds of procedural details don’t need to be included in a campaign pamphlet.&nbsp;

“With a 200-word limit, a qualifications statement is truncated; it is not a civics tutorial,” the judge wrote. “Preston’s statement is not misleading.”

“With a 200-word limit, a qualifications statement is truncated; it is not a civics tutorial,” the judge wrote. “Preston’s statement is not misleading.”

Smith told The Standard he stands by his claims.&nbsp;

Smith told The Standard he stands by his claims.&nbsp;

“I’m disappointed in the decision and think Preston’s votes opposing housing speaks for itself,” Smith wrote in a text. “I am happy, though, that being pro-housing has become politically popular enough that we’re watching politicians change the way they present themselves.”

“I’m disappointed in the decision and think Preston’s votes opposing housing speaks for itself,” Smith wrote in a text. “I am happy, though, that being pro-housing has become politically popular enough that we’re watching politicians change the way they present themselves.”

Preston’s housing policy has drawn scrutiny over the past decade.&nbsp;

Preston’s housing policy has drawn scrutiny over the past decade.&nbsp;

David Broockman, a UC Berkeley professor and volunteer for SF YIMBY, created the website <a href="https://nimby.report/preston">Dean Preston’s Housing Graveyard</a>, which attests that the supervisor has actually rejected 30,000 units, not voted in favor of them. Preston staffers and campaign volunteers, meanwhile, launched the website <a href="https://www.deanshousingrecord.com/">Dean Preston’s Housing Record</a> in response to what they call “misinformation.”

David Broockman, a UC Berkeley professor and volunteer for SF YIMBY, created the website <a href="https://nimby.report/preston">Dean Preston’s Housing Graveyard</a>, which attests that the supervisor has actually rejected 30,000 units, not voted in favor of them. Preston staffers and campaign volunteers, meanwhile, launched the website <a href="https://www.deanshousingrecord.com/">Dean Preston’s Housing Record</a> in response to what they call “misinformation.”

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