Election Slate for November 5, 2024

Dear Friends,

Each election I prepare a slate card for my friends so we can debate how to vote here in San Francisco (and beyond). Here’s what I have based on various organizational endorsements and various discussion with local activists… I’d love your input! (Thanks especially to Ben.)

In solidarity,

Stardust

PS: Life under late-stage corporate-welfare capitalism and billionaire-choose-all “democracy” can be discouraging. Please remember that there are other ways to change society than just the elections.


Federal

President and Vice President: Kamala Harris and Tim Walz (if you want to go third-party in Cali, that’s fine… just please NOT Robert F. Kennedy and NOT in a swing state, thanks!)

U.S. Senator (term ending January 3, 2031): Adam Schiff
U.S. Senator (remainder of term ending January 3, 2025): Adam Schiff

U.S. Representative, District 11: no vote (as protest against Pelosi who will get elected anyway… yes I know some of you support Pelosi)

California State

State Senator, District 11: Scott Wiener (lots of problems with the Wiener, but better than the alternative)
State Assembly Member, District 17: Matt Haney (also not my favorite, but better than the alternative, sigh)

Schools

Member, Board of Education (no more than four):
Matt Alexander, Virginia Cheung, Jaime Huling, Laurance Lem Lee

Trustee, Community College Board (no more than four):
Alan Wong (yes, ONLY Alan Wong, no others, sigh)

District

BART Board of Directors: Edward Wright

San Francisco City and County

Mayor: Aaron Peskin (yes, ONLY Peskin — avoid inexperienced candidates like Lurie and billionaire-funded candidates like Lurie, non-compassionate somewhat corrupt mayors like Breed, and SF conservatives like Farrell… for some policy positions and a survey you can take to see which candidate best matches your views, see
https://www.sfchronicle.com/election/article/sf-mayoral-candidates-policy-issues-19847216.php )

Member, Board of Supervisors, District 1: Connie Chan
Member, Board of Supervisors, District 3: Sharon Lai, Moe Jamil
Member, Board of Supervisors, District 5: Dean Preston
Member, Board of Supervisors, District 7: Myrna Melgar
Member, Board of Supervisors, District 9: Jackie Fielder, Roberto Hernandez (NOT Trevor Chandler, well-funded Republicanish candidate)
Member, Board of Supervisors, District 11: Chayanne Chen, Ernest “EJ” Jones

City Attorney: leave blank (Chiu will win despite my disapproval)
District Attorney: Ryan Khojasteh
Sheriff: leave blank (Miyamoto will win)
Treasurer: José Cisneros

California State Propositions

Proposition 2: Yes (bonds for schools)
Proposition 3: Yes (protect right to marry regardless of race or sex)
Proposition 4: Yes (protect water and land, prevent wildfires)
Proposition 5: Yes (allow local bonds for affordable housing)
Proposition 6: Yes (remove prison slavery from state constitution)
Proposition 32: Yes (raise minimum wage)
Proposition 33: Yes (help low-income renters by allowing cities to pass or strengthen rent control laws without state prohibitions, repeal Cost-Hawkins, please don’t fall for SPUR and other realtor and massive property owner opposition to this measure)
Proposition 34: No (billionaire corporate landlords seeking revenge against AIDS Healthcare Foundation)
Proposition 35: Yes (support Medi-Cal)
Proposition 36: No (don’t restart the drug war)

San Francisco Propositions

Proposition A: Yes (improve school safety and accessibility)
Proposition B: Yes (shelters, healthcare facilities, and public safety improvements)
Proposition C: Yes (inspector general to investigate and prevent corruption we’ve had here in San Francisco)
Proposition D: No (limits # of commissions increasing mayoral and police chief authority)
Proposition E: Yes (taskforce to improve operations of city commissions)
Proposition F: No (reduces police department reporting and offers incentives to delay retirement)
Proposition G: Yes (rental subsidies for extremely low-income seniors, families, and disabled persons)
Proposition H: No (earlier higher pension benefits for firefighters)
Proposition I: Yes (pension benefits for registered nurses and 911 operators)
Proposition J: Yes (effective funding for children, youth, and families)
Proposition K: Yes (Upper Great Highway at Ocean Beach closed to private vehicles as open recreation space)
Proposition L: Yes (tax Uber, Lyft, Waymo, et al, to support city mass transit)
Proposition M: No (some parts of it are good, but it would destroy Prop L if passed)
Proposition N: No (good idea, but unfunded, Board of Supervisors should handle it without proposition)
Proposition O: Yes (guarantee reproductive freedom)

Updates will appear here as available from your comments and other sources.


Election Slate for November 8, 2022

Dear Friends,

Each election I prepare a slate card for my friends so we can debate how to vote here in San Francisco (and beyond). Here’s what I have so far, based on the ballot I received in the mail, various organizational endorsements, and various discussion with local activists… I’d love your input! (Thanks to Ben, Ruth, and Andy for their input.)

It’s in order as it appears on my ballot.

Election Day is just around the corner on this coming Tuesday… please do vote!

In solidarity,

Stardust

PS: Life under late-stage corporate-welfare capitalism and billionaire-choose-all “democracy” can be discouraging. Please remember that there are other ways to change society than just the elections.
——-
California State Offices

Governor    no endorsement
Lieutenant Governor    no endorsement
Secretary of State    Shirley Weber
Controller    no endorsement
Treasurer    no endorsement
Attorney General    Rob Bonta
Insurance Commissioner    no endorsement
Board of Equalization 2    Sally J. Lieber

Federal Offices

U.S. Senator    Alex Padilla
U.S. Senator (remainder)    Alex Padilla
US Representative 11    no endorsement

California State Offices (cont.)

State Assembly 17    David Campos
State Assembly 19    Phil Ting
All the Justices    Yes
Superintendent of Public Instruction    Tony Thurmond

City and County Offices

Member, Board of Education (no more than 3)    Alida Fisher, Gabriela López, Lisa Weissman-Ward
Member, Community College Board, term ending 1/8/27 (no more than 3)    Susan Solomon, Anita Martinez, Vick Chung
Member, Community College Board, term ending 1/8/25 (vote for one)    Adolfo Velasquez
Assessor-Recorder    Joaqúin Torres
District Attorney    John Hamasaki (not Brooke Jenkins!)
Public Defender    Mano Raju

State Propositions

Proposition 1   yes  
Proposition 26    no
Proposition 27    no
Proposition 28    yes
Proposition 29    yes
Proposition 30    yes
Proposition 31   no

City and County Propositions

Proposition A    Yes
Proposition B    Yes
Proposition C    Yes
Proposition D    No
Proposition E    Yes
Proposition F    Yes
Proposition G    Yes
Proposition H    Yes
Proposition I    No
Proposition J    Yes
Proposition K    (removed)
Proposition L    Yes
Proposition M    Yes
Proposition N    Yes
Proposition O    Yes
——-

Election Slate for June 7, 2022

Dear Friends,

Each election I prepare a slate card for my friends so we can debate how to vote here in San Francisco (and beyond). Here’s what I have so far, based on the ballot I received in the mail, various organizational endorsements, and an online discussion with local activists… I’d love your input! (Thanks to Andy and Laurel for their input.)

It’s in order as it appears on my ballot.

At the end, I’ve included links as to why a “No on H!” vote is so important this time around.

Election Day is just around the corner on this coming Tuesday… please do vote!

In solidarity,
Stardust
——-
California State Offices

Governor    Luis Rodriguez
Lieutenant Governor    Mohammad Arif
Secretary of State    Shirley Weber
Controller    Ron Galperin
Treasurer    Meghann Adams
Attorney General    Rob Bonta
Insurance Commissioner    Nathalie Hrizi
Board of Equalization 2    Sally Lieber

Federal Offices

U.S. Senator    Alex Padilla
U.S. Senator (remainder)    Alex Padilla
US Representative 11    None

California State Offices (cont.)

State Assembly 17    Campos
State Assembly 19    Ting
Superintendent of Public Instruction    Marco Amaral

City and County Offices

City Attorney    None

City and County Propositions

Proposition A    Yes
Proposition B    Yes
Proposition C    Yes
Proposition D    No
Proposition E    Yes
Proposition F    Yes
Proposition G    Yes
Proposition H    No

For more information, check out some of these links–

https://www.theleaguesf.org/https://www.theleaguesf.org

https://www.sfbg.com/2022/05/09/endorsements-chesa-boudin-june-7-san-francisco-election/

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2021/03/vc-lives-matter-silicon-valley-investors-want-to-oust-san-franciscos-reformist-da/

https://www.motherjones.com/crime-justice/2022/04/san-francisco-crime-wave-media-public-defender-chesa-boudin/

https://www.boudinfacts.com

Election Slate for April 19, 2022

Each election I prepare a slate card for my friends so we can debate how to vote here in San Francisco (and beyond). Here’s what I have so far, based on the ballot I received in the mail, various organizational endorsements, and an online discussion with local activists… I’d love your input (I’ll post comments people submit to me below)– 

State Assembly Member, District 17: David Campos

Election Slate for February 15, 2022

Each election I prepare a slate card for my friends so we can debate how to vote here in San Francisco (and beyond). Here’s what I have so far, based on the ballot I received in the mail, various organizational endorsements, and an online discussion with local activists… I’d love your input (I’ll post comments people submit to me below)– 

State Assembly Member, District 17: David Campos

School Proposition A: No recall

School Proposition B: No recall

School Proposition C: No recall

Assessor Recorder: as you wish

Election Slate for November 3, 2020

Each election I prepare a slate card for my friends so we can debate how to vote here in San Francisco (and beyond). Here’s what I have so far, based on the ballot I received in the mail, various organizational endorsements, and an online discussion with local activists… I’d love your input (I’ll post comments people submit to me below)– 

* = especially important

Elected Offices

US President/Vice President: Joseph Biden/Kamala Harris

US Representative, District 12: No vote (I was going to protest vote for Buttar against Pelosi, but there is scandal with Buttar)

State Senator, District 11: Jackie Fielder

State Assembly, District 17: Starchild (as protest vote against David Chiu)

Board of Education (no more than 4):
*1. Matt Alexander
*2. Mark Sanchez
3. Kevin Boggess
4. Alida Fisher

Community College Board (no more than 4):
*1. Anita Martinez (the only candidate that actually seems to have CCSF students and faculty interests in mind… see comment below about why to “bullet vote” only for Anita!)
2. no vote
3. no vote
4. no vote

BART Director, District 9: Bevan Dufty

Board of Supervisors, District 9: Hillary Ronen

California Propositions

14: No

*15: Yes (most important measure on the ballot IMHO, tax commercial property worth over $3M at current values, leaves unchanged the exemption to value-based tax increases for residential property and commercial property under $3M)

16: Yes

17: Yes

18: Yes

19: No

20: No

21: Yes

*22: No (don’t let “gig” mega-corporations carve out special exemptions to California/federal employment law, spending $180 million plus on campaigning that could have gone to employee benefits)

23: Yes

24: No

25: No (I support getting rid of money bail system, just not like this… don’t use algorithms… this particular measure could actually increase pre-trial detentions)

Regional Proposition

RR: Yes

San Francisco Propositions

A: Yes

B: Yes

C: Yes

D: Yes

E: Yes

F: Yes

G: Yes

H: No

*I: Yes (tax wealthy real estate owners a bit)

*J: Yes (support teachers and prevent potential lawsuit clawback of previously spent education funds)

*K: Yes (removes legal obstacle to city-built affordable housing)

*L: Yes (reverse income inequality)

Election Slate for November 5, 2019

Each election I prepare a slate card for my friends so we can debate how to vote here in San Francisco (and beyond). Here’s what I have so far… I’d love your input (I’ll post comments people submit to me below)–

Elected Offices

Mayor: Joel Ventresca

Board of Supervisors, District 5: Dean Preston

City Attorney: Dennis Herrera

District Attorney: Chesa Boudin 

Public Defender: Manohar Raju

Sheriff: No Endorsement

Treasurer: Jose Cisneros

Board of Education: No Endorsement

Community College Board: Ivy Lee

San Francisco Propositions

A: Yes

B: Yes

C: No

D: Yes

E: Yes

F: Yes

Election Slate for November 6, 2018

Each election I prepare a slate card for my friends so we can debate how to vote here in San Francisco (and beyond). Here’s what I have so far… I’d love your input (I’ll post comments people submit to me below)–

Elected Offices

California Governor: Gavin Newsom (despite Newsom’s stance in favor of charter schools and against helping the homeless)

California Lieutenant Governor: Eleni Kounalakis

California Secretary of State: Alex Padilla

California Controller: Betty Yee

California Treasurer: Fiona Ma (supports public bank)
[Friend’s comment: “Fiona Ma is not a good choice for Treasurer. She has been an ineffective SF Supervisor and State Legislator, and is without a backbone or independent thought. I agree with the Bay Guardian that she will do what she is told by the rich and powerful. I approached her about the plight of women prisoners at Valley State Prison for Women some years ago and she couldn’t have been less interested, and offered that she join a delegation of women legislators to investigate which she declined. I don’t think there is an excellent candidate for that position. She may say she is for a public bank, but I don’t think she could actually ever do anything about that…………all the best, Corey”]

California Attorney General: Xavier Becerra

California Insurance Commissioner: Ricardo Lara

California Board of Equalization, District 2: Malia Cohen

United States Senate: Kevin De Leon

United States Representative, District 12: Nancy Pelosi

California State Assembly, District 17: No one (I feel like David Chiu’s political tactics border on the unethical)

California State Assembly, District 19: Phil Ting

For all of the Justices, there is no choice, so vote yes or no as you wish. However, a friend points out that: “When gay marriage was legalized in California in 2008, it was by a 4-3 vote of the California Supreme Court.One of the three justices who voted against it, Carol A. Corrigan, is on the CA ballot Nov. 7. Please vote NO on Justice Corrigan, and spread the word.”

Superintendent of Public Instruction: Tony Thurmond

Community College Board: Thea Selby, Brigitte Davila, John Rizzo (vote for up to 3)

San Francisco Supervisor District 2: Catherine Stefani

San Francisco Supervisor District 4: Gordon Mar

San Francisco Supervisor District 6: Matt Haney

San Francisco Supervisor District 8: *not* Rafael Mandelman due to long record of poor decision making on the City College of San Francisco Board of Trustees

San Francisco Supervisor District 10: Tony Kelly

Board of Education: Alison Collins, Faauuga Molina, Gabriela Lopez (or Li Miao Lovett) (vote for up to 3)

California Propositions

1: Yes

2: Yes

3: Yes

4: Yes

5: No

6: No [Friend Alice Chan mentions: “For what it’s worth, I’m voting yes on Prop 6 because I vote against sales taxes on principle, since they are regressive taxes that disproportionately impact those of lower income. California’s budget is loaded with pork, because of obligations to the big money interests that control prisons, etc. We need legislators that will off-load the pork so that regular income tax revenues can be spent on things that really matter, like road repairs, instead of those things being funded by sales taxes.”]

7: Undecided

8: Yes

9: Removed by CA Supreme Court – you won’t be able to vote on splitting the state into 3 parts

10: YES (the most important item on the ballot)

11: No

12: Yes (better to ban factory farms altogether, but a good first step)

San Francisco Propositions

A: Yes

B: Yes

C: YES

D: Yes

E: Yes

More Elected Offices

Assessor-Recorder: Paul Bellar

Public Defender: Jeff Adachi

Election Slate for June 5, 2018

Each election I prepare a slate card for my friends so we can debate how to vote here in San Francisco (and beyond). Here’s what I have so far… I’d love your input (I’ll post comments people submit to me below)–

Elected Offices

California Governor: Delaine Eastin (due to Gavin Newsom’s stance in favor of charter schools)

California Lieutenant Governor: Gayle McLaughlin (rocking former Richmond mayor)

California Secretary of State: Alex Padilla

California Controller: Betty Yee

California Treasurer: Fiona Ma (supports public bank)
[Friend’s comment: “Fiona Ma is not a good choice for Treasurer. She has been an ineffective SF Supervisor and State Legislator, and is without a backbone or independent thought. I agree with the Bay Guardian that she will do what she is told by the rich and powerful. I approached her about the plight of women prisoners at Valley State Prison for Women some years ago and she couldn’t have been less interested, and offered that she join a delegation of women legislators to investigate which she declined. I don’t think there is an excellent candidate for that position. She may say she is for a public bank, but I don’t think she could actually ever do anything about that…………all the best, Corey”]

California Attorney General: Dave Jones

California Insurance Commissioner: Nathalie Hrizi (supports single-payer healthcare system without insurance companies)

California Board of Equalization, District 2: Malia Cohen

United States Senate: Kevin De Leon

United States Representative, District 12: Ryan Khojasteh

California State Assembly, District 17: No-one (I feel like David Chiu’s political tactics border on the unethical)

San Francisco Judge of the Superior Court No. 4: Phoenix Streets

San Francisco Judge of the Superior Court No. 7: Maria Evangelista

San Francisco Judge of the Superior Court No. 9: Kwixuan Maloof

San Francisco Judge of the Superior Court No. 11: Niki Judith Solis

Superintendent of Public Instruction: Tony Thurmond

San Francisco Mayor: Jane Kim (rank 1), Mark Leno (rank 2)

[*not* London Breed; thanks to Rachel who writes that adding Angela Alioto as a third is not a good idea: “Not sure if Angela Alioto remains a good third choice. According to SF Examiner, she has introduced a measure to undermine San Francisco’s sanctuary city status. And she’s repeating the right-wing Republican rhetoric, debunked by FactCheck, that sanctuary cities have higher crime rates.”]

San Francisco Supervisor District 8: Jeff Sheehy (*not* Rafael Mandelman due to long record of poor decision making on the City College of San Francisco Board of Trustees.)

California Propositions

68: Yes

69: Yes

70: No

71: Yes

72: Yes

Regional Proposition

Regional Measure 3: Yes

San Francisco Propositions

A: Yes

B: Yes

C: Yes

D: No

E: No

F: Yes

G: Yes

H: No

I: Yes