Is it over yet? Hopefully, by the time you read this, the election chaos has settled, the winners declared, and we are done binge-watching campaign ads and tossing glossy flyers into the recycling bin. Of course, if you are a Republican in San Francisco, you have probably missed out on the political spam, or so my trusty mailman friend tells me.
The day after an election, someone somewhere should be nursing a hangover—winner, loser, or even just the poor soul caught in the crossfire. “Election exhaustion” is real, and a day off might be the only cure. Sure, there are the candidates in the spotlight, but let us not forget the lesser-known players—the handlers, the gofers—all hoping for at least a nod of acknowledgment.
If Mayor Breed pulls it off, someone ought to pop a bottle for Supervisor Preston for his “genius” idea to align the mayoral election with the presidential one, practically handing her a shot at redemption. Her challengers, on the other hand, would prefer to gift Preston a lump of coal. Yes, I realize it is early, but Christmas decorations are already in stores, so why not? If this election had been a year ago, Breed would have been toast. But November 2023 is a vastly different beast from November 2024.
People often talk about Breed’s six years in office, and she was on a strong path until the pandemic hit San Francisco, followed closely by the upheaval from social justice protests that swept across the nation. These events brought a storm of challenges, but you never saw her complain. Instead, she stepped up, navigating one of the most uncertain and intense times in not only the city’s history, but the Nation’s as well. No, she did not get everything right, but she led with conviction. Do you remember what it was like when she shut down the city? I do. She was applauded for her leadership and care. The city’s issues grew not from a lack of leadership but because voters supported laws that seemed like quick fixes, attractively packaged, and spun as exactly what we needed. What started as hopeful visions turned into tough realities, leaving Breed to withstand the worst of an angry city’s scrutiny while critics stood ready to pounce. Conveniently, they were not stepping up to help—just quick with soundbites on how terrible things had gotten, despite voting for measures that did not help. And her opponents? Many of them were in positions to make changes. Did they? No. Are they as battle-tested? Hard to say, but I know Breed certainly is.
And if, by some twist, Daniel Lurie wins after shelling out a small fortune of his own cash, does he get a tax write-off for self-funding? Not that it matters when you are lighting cigars with $100 bills. My fabulous five girlfriend crew and I are equally intrigued. But if Lurie wins, he will face some serious on-the-job training. There will be fumbles, and it will not exactly be a fairy tale of good governance.
Then there’s Mark Farrell, who has spent some time in Room 200 and swears he has a magic wand that will make everything different “on day one.” I hate to break it to him, but City Hall does not issue pixie dust. Even with Prop D, day one will not feel any different. Progress might come—eventually—but it will not be immediate.
Aaron Peskin, current Supervisor of District 3, is the poster child for divisive reputations. To some, he is a tyrant; to others, he is the guardian of Telegraph Hill, fending off high-rises that threaten beloved views. But can he unify this city’s tangled factions? Sure, he knows every ancient code and regulation, but does he understand the day-to-day grind of families scraping by paycheck to paycheck in San Francisco’s poorest neighborhoods, far from his own district?
The top four candidates, all lobbing stones from glass houses. For voters, the question is: what can you live with? What is a dealbreaker? And does the person you are choosing actually have the chops to do the job? With ranked-choice voting, you may not even end up with your top pick.
Public safety—oh, they all talk about it. Some candidates throw it out like a mission statement; others mention it as a closing thought. “We need a fully staffed police department!” they say. Sure, sounds nice. But how exactly do we get there? A recent report suggested we would need 40,000 applications in a year just to recruit 960 officers. Not happening. By year five, even meeting a goal of 16,000 applications for 350 new hires feels like a pipe dream. Officers hired in the ‘90s are now reaching their 30-year mark, so this is a long-haul issue, not a quick fix. Same story with the Sheriff’s department.
Then there’s housing—always the hot potato. Thousands of units are needed, but politicians do not want their views obstructed or certain kinds of housing in their own neighborhoods. And you know what? I get it. Call me selfish, but if I had a killer view, I would want to keep it too. No one is exactly chomping at the bit for a 50-foot skyscraper blocking the view from their backyard. But still, we need some kind of compromise to figure this housing thing out. San Francisco is expensive. California is expensive.
And the tents, the dealers? Let us face it—the mantra is “anywhere but here.” But how do we make that happen? Sometimes, it feels like we must play the “mean parent,” reminding adults that society has rules. Help is available, sure, but it is not bottomless while they “figure things out.” Public spaces are for everyone. Kids should not have to navigate past folks shooting up or nodding off on their way to school or the park. Sorry, not sorry.
Now, onto the odd-numbered supervisor districts. District 1 could finally be Marjan Philhour’s moment, with many hoping Richmond gets the supervisor it deserves. In District 3, Moe Jamil stands out as a guy who knows how to work with people and takes public safety seriously.
District 5 brings us Autumn Looijen, a no-nonsense fighter who led the school board recall—a major turning point for the city.
Over in District 7, Matt Boschetto, a father, and small business owner, is squaring off against the incumbent, eager to bring balance and reason to his community.
District 9 has hometown hero Roberto Hernandez, a Mission native who has watched the neighborhood evolve and could bring that authentic voice to City Hall.
And in District 11, Michael Lai has knocked on every door in the district, showing the grit and dedication needed to stand for people of all ages and backgrounds—exactly the kind of energy the board could use.
The San Francisco ballot this year is overflowing—enough to author a novel, but I will save you from that. Now’s not the time to zone out. There is something on this ballot for everyone. For us, Prop F—the DROP Program—is essential. Until we can hire more officers, it is crucial to keep the experienced ones we have, not just only for the numbers but for the wisdom they bring in training younger recruits.
And for true San Franciscans—seriously, a park on the Great Highway? Do not make me laugh. There is nothing quite like driving along that stretch, right by the ocean. When it is closed, traffic reroutes through residential streets, and chaos ensues. In an emergency, a few minutes can be the difference between life or death. San Francisco is not Miami Beach. If you want a park, Golden Gate Park is right next door.
Come November 6th, I hope everyone can unwind with a drink and start preparing for the real showdown—Thanksgiving. That is where the *real* battles will unfold!
