As big-money ads drop, progressives work on GOTV efforts …
2024-10-20
Navigating the Ballot: A Closer Look at San Francisco's Political Landscape
As the election season heats up in San Francisco, the city's residents are gearing up to make their voices heard at the ballot box. With ballots already in the hands of voters and the final weeks of campaigning underway, the focus has shifted to mobilizing support and getting out the vote. However, this surge in political activity also means increased pressure on the United States Postal Service, which is tasked with delivering a deluge of campaign materials, including hit pieces targeting various candidates and propositions.
Plutocratic Influence and the Battle for San Francisco's Future
The Peskin Conundrum and the Farrell Proxy
Prominent venture capitalist Ron Conway, known for his close ties to Mayor London Breed, has recently poured 0,000 into a committee opposing Supervisor Aaron Peskin's mayoral bid. This move suggests that Breed may view Peskin as a formidable contender, potentially finishing ahead of her in the race. Interestingly, Conway has also contributed 0,000 to the Yes on D campaign, which has become a vehicle for the Farrell for Mayor effort, further complicating the political landscape.
The Billionaire Onslaught and the Grassroots Resistance
The progressive candidates in San Francisco are facing a significant financial disadvantage, with an estimated million in billionaire and corporate money flowing into the fall election. This influx of funds is primarily being channeled into direct mail and other campaign tactics, putting a strain on the already understaffed United States Postal Service under the leadership of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, who was appointed by former President Trump and has yet to be removed by President Biden.
The Unity Rally: A Show of Strength and Solidarity
In response to the overwhelming financial resources of their opponents, progressive candidates and their supporters are organizing a unity rally on Saturday, October 26th, at Duboce Park. This event will bring together a diverse coalition of candidates, including Supervisors Aaron Peskin and Dean Preston, D3 candidates Sharon Lai and Moe Jamil, D9 candidates Jackie Fielder and Stephen Torres, Supervisor Connie Chan, D11 candidates EJ Jones and Chyanne Chen, and School Board candidate Matt Alexander. The rally is sponsored by a range of labor and community organizations, underscoring the grassroots nature of the progressive movement in San Francisco.
The Fillmore Showdown: Preserving Local Businesses and Affordable Housing
The news of a wealthy venture capitalist's efforts to acquire and redevelop properties on Fillmore Street, evicting popular local businesses in the process, has sparked strong opposition in the typically politically quiet, upper-class neighborhood. Supervisor Aaron Peskin has introduced a measure that would require a conditional use authorization from the Planning Commission for the replacement of a legacy business in neighborhood commercial districts, a move that could help protect the area's small businesses.
The Looming Threat of Upzoning and Displacement
However, the issue extends beyond the Fillmore Street saga, as Mayor Breed and her Yimby allies are pushing to upzone all of the city's neighborhood commercial districts to eight stories. This strategy is based on the belief that increased density and housing supply will lead to lower prices. Yet, the reality is that most of these districts are already fully developed, and any new construction would likely involve the demolition of existing buildings, often containing small, neighborhood-serving businesses that would be forced to relocate or close down. Additionally, the residential tenants in these buildings, many of whom have long-standing rent-controlled leases, would also be displaced, facing the prospect of higher rents in the newly constructed units.
The Supes' Dilemma: Balancing Development and Community Preservation
The upcoming meeting of the Land Use and Transportation Committee on Monday, October 21st, will be a crucial test for the city's supervisors, who often tout the importance of supporting local small businesses. The decision on Supervisor Peskin's measure to require conditional use authorization for the replacement of legacy businesses will be a litmus test for their commitment to preserving the character and diversity of San Francisco's neighborhoods in the face of speculative development and displacement.