Endorsements for the Fall 2026 Election
The Westside Family Democratic Club’s endorsements are chosen by member vote, and our voters are informed by the research of an Endorsement Committee that delves into the details of every item on the ballot. For November 2026, members chose the following endorsements. Interested in why we voted this way? Read on for explanations of each endorsement!
San Francisco Candidates
Public Defender: No Endorsement
Mano Raju does not have an opponent and will win the race for city public defender. Unfortunately, Raju is not adequately performing in the role. The public defender has one job: ensure the accused have legal representation. Instead of doing that, Raju has declined to take on new cases, complaining of a high caseload. It may be true that caseloads are high, but they are not at record levels. In fact, a judge considered the issue and held Raju in contempt of court for failing to do his job. He does not deserve our endorsement, or your vote.
District 4 Supervisor: Alan Wong
Among the D4 candidates, Alan Wong stands out as the one we can rely on to bring a common-sense approach to the Board of Supervisors. Appointed last year by Mayor Lurie, Wong has voted in support of the Family Zoning plan, supports increased police staffing to boost public safety and reduce overtime costs, has worked to cut red tape for small businesses, and has already taken innovative steps like creating a process for San Franciscans to propose repeal or revision of unhelpful laws. He has done great work in his short time in office, and we look forward to seeing what he can do with a full term.
Board of Education: Phil Kim, Autumn Brown Garibay, and Tim Tung
Among the field of BOE candidates, three stand out. Phil Kim has performed well as Board of Education president since his appointment in August 2024, including spearheading a 4-3 board vote to bring back eighth grade algebra. Autumn Brown Garibay shows unusual tenacity and willingness to tackle the hard issues, coupled with pragmatic ideas and a drive to get things done. Tim Tung is similarly pragmatic and outcomes-focused, and will bring badly needed fiscal expertise to the BOE.
Community College Board: Elijah Ball, Erwin Tam, and Monroe Lace
City College has been troubled for over a decade; its accreditation was at risk and it lost 10 chancellors in a 13-year period. In 2024, this club endorsed a slate of practical, common-sense candidates who were running together; all are now on the Community College Board, and City College shows signs of stability and improvement for the first time in years. Elijah Ball, Erwin Tam, and Monroe Lace will support and continue that good work, and each brings special characteristics. Ball is a campus designer, who can help City College deal with its large portfolio of cash-draining properties. Tam is a finance expert, well-qualified to understand City College’s large financial problems. And Lace is a public school teacher who can help boost enrollment by building bridges between SFUSD and City College.
Community College Board Partial Term: Ruth Ferguson
This club endorsed Ruth Ferguson in 2024, and we stand by that endorsement. She has done good work at City College and we’d like to see more. Fortunately, she’s running unopposed and will be elected.
Phoebe Maffei for Superior Court Judge
Phoebe Maffei has strong qualifications as an experienced prosecutor who, among other things, prosecuted the man who attacked Nancy Pelosi’s husband in his home. Not only does she have a strong track record, but she is notable for the number of co-workers and sitting judges who have endorsed her. We trust that Maffei will apply the law fairly and consistently on the bench.
Phoebe Maffei for Superior Court Judge
Phoebe Maffei has strong qualifications as an experienced prosecutor who, among other things, prosecuted the man who attacked Nancy Pelosi’s husband in his home. Not only does she have a strong track record, but she is notable for the number of co-workers and sitting judges who have endorsed her. We trust that Maffei will apply the law fairly and consistently on the bench.
Phoebe Maffei for Superior Court Judge
Phoebe Maffei has strong qualifications as an experienced prosecutor who, among other things, prosecuted the man who attacked Nancy Pelosi’s husband in his home. Not only does she have a strong track record, but she is notable for the number of co-workers and sitting judges who have endorsed her. We trust that Maffei will apply the law fairly and consistently on the bench.
Phoebe Maffei for Superior Court Judge
Phoebe Maffei has strong qualifications as an experienced prosecutor who, among other things, prosecuted the man who attacked Nancy Pelosi’s husband in his home. Not only does she have a strong track record, but she is notable for the number of co-workers and sitting judges who have endorsed her. We trust that Maffei will apply the law fairly and consistently on the bench.
San Francisco Ballot Measures
Yes on Proposition A: Charter Changes Affecting Various City Departments and Commissions
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No on Proposition B: Establishing a Municipal Finance Corporation and a Public Banks
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Yes on Proposition C: Contributions to the Housing Fund
Yes on Proposition D: Changes to Ballot Measure Process
Less than two years ago, San Francisco voters approved Proposition M, which fixed longstanding problems in the city’s business tax system. Prop M wasn’t just a good idea—it was also the result of a negotiated compromise among various stakeholders, including labor and the Chamber of Commerce. Unfortunately, before Prop M has even had a chance to take effect, labor has now moved to throw the compromise out the window and change the tax structure again by proposing Proposition D, which they misleadingly call an “overpaid CEO tax.” Despite that spin, the proposed tax increase would not be imposed on overpaid CEOs. Instead it would increase taxes on businesses like Target, CVS, and Walgreens, which have already been shuttering stores across the city, leaving neighborhoods without key services. Proposition C was put on the ballot in response to Proposition D, and would make only minor changes like decreasing taxes on certain small businesses. If both measures pass, the one with the most votes will prevail and the other won’t be effective.
Yes on Proposition E: City Administrator’s Authority and Changes to City Contracting
Yes on Proposition F: Changes to Executive Branch Management
No on Proposition G: Allowing Private Vehicles on the Great Highway in Sunset Dunes Park
Yes on Proposition H: Parcel Tax to Fund Public Muni Operations
SF’s Municipal Transportation Agency has been making important changes to improve system efficiency and reduce operational costs, but the drag of SF’s slow downtown recovery has been too much. Muni needs more funding and we can’t allow the city to lose mobility at this critical time. This measure would raise funding through a temporary parcel tax amounting to $129 per year for properties under 3,000 square feet, and progressively more for larger properties. Here, again, we believe this funding is necessary to prevent stalling the city’s recovery. We endorse a resounding “yes” on the Muni funding measure.
No on Proposition I: Changes to Real Property Transfer Tax
Yes on Proposition J: Removal of Foreclosure Exemption for Real Property Transfer Tax
Yes on the Regional Transit Measure
The Bay Area Rapid Transit system is recovering from a pandemic-related fall in rides, and has made changes necessary to make the system stronger than ever. The new fare gates have been a tremendous success, not only reducing fare evasion but—by keeping the fare-skipping people who trashed public areas out—dramatically improving the cleanliness of the stations and trains. Public safety personnel are now visibly making the rounds, responding quickly to problems and making riders feel safe again. Despite these improvements, rider growth has been slow as a result of downtown SF’s plodding recovery. BART now faces a financial shortfall, and if the gap isn’t closed it may have to make severe cuts. Those cuts would cause even fewer people to come to downtown SF, threatening the city’s recovery. We cannot afford to slash BART, especially not at this critical time. This measure would provide the funding BART needs to stay afloat with a temporary regional sales tax, including a hike of 1% in San Francisco. While we don’t love the idea of a new tax on top of our already high cost of living, we simply cannot afford to let BART fail. We strongly endorse “yes” on the regional transit measure.
California State Candidates
Matt Haney for California Assembly (AD-17)
Matt Haney is running unopposed, but we can still recognize his contributions in the Assembly, especially around housing, homelessness, and public safety.
Catherine Stefani for California Assembly (AD-19)
We’re happy to echo our endorsement of Catherine Stefani two years ago. As a city supervisor Stefani focused on improving public safety, housing, small business conditions, and government oversight, and she has continued that important work in the Assembly.
Scott Wiener for US Congress
A long-time staple of the San Francisco political scene, Wiener is known for being one of the most effective people in local government. In the state Senate, he has managed to pass bills once thought impossible, especially on the issue of housing. He has the best chance of any candidate to make a difference for San Francisco if we send him to Washington.
