Elections

Good Morning sf.citi Members, 

I hope you’re doing well today. 

I’m writing you today to provide you with an update on several upcoming elections, the potential of a San Francisco special election, and current local and state political shifts. 

Local and State Political Shifts

As you may know, former City Attorney Dennis Herrera was appointed to lead the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission and was nominated for this position by Mayor Breed in April 2021. Following Dennis Herrera’s appointment, Mayor Breed was tasked with filling the City Attorney’s seat, and as of September 29th, officially appointed Assemblymember David Chiu as San Francisco’s next City Attorney. 

Both Herrera and Chiu are expected to enter their new positions on November 1st. That said, Governor Newsom must call for a special election to be held within 140 days of Assemblymember Chiu leaving his seat, and we can expect a special election as early as January 2022.

Local leaders have thrown their hat in the ring in a race to fill the seat during the upcoming special election. Namely, San Francisco’s District 6 Supervisor, Matt Haney, and former President of the Board of Supervisors and current Chief of Staff to District Attorney Boudin, David Campos, have both declared their candidacy. Should Supervisor Haney win the race for the Assembly seat, Mayor Breed would appoint a replacement on the Board. While the replacement would have to officially run in the next scheduled election, we anticipate that this would provide the Mayor with the ability to directly influence the makeup of the Board in her favor. 

Upcoming Recall Elections

There are a number of recall elections expected to take place in San Francisco. As you know, the second recall effort against DA Boudin is underway, and the campaign has until October 9th to collect 51,325 valid signatures. In addition, recall elections for three members of the School Board — President Gabriela Lopez, Vice President Faauuga Moliga, and recently demoted Board Member Alison Collins — were successful, with over 70,000 signatures gathered against each candidate. The Department of Elections is currently verifying signatures, and we will know in the next few weeks if they have gathered enough qualified signatures to hold a special election. As the timing of any special municipal election depends on when recall petition signatures are certified, there is no definitive answer of when a special election will be called. 

Should the recall efforts succeed, Mayor Breed will have the authority to appoint new School Board members to fill vacant seats. Appointed School Board members will then need to run in the next scheduled election to remain in their new roles. Many San Francisco political leaders have risen through the ranks by serving on the School Board, and this could be an opportunity for the Mayor to change the long-term makeup of the board through her appointments. It is yet to be determined who she might choose. 

We will be sure to keep you apprised as we receive more information. Thank you for your continued membership, and please let me know if you have any questions. 

Jen