Here’s the latest in our “Meet the Candidates” series for District 5, in which we ask each candidate to answer one question per week leading up to the election. Three candidates are challenging incumbent Supervisor Dean Preston to represent District 5, which spans from the east end of Golden Gate Park through Haight-Ashbury, Japantown and the Western Addition, the Lower Haight and Hayes Valley, and most of the Tenderloin.
This week, we’re talking business, as District 5 is home to several vibrant commercial corridors. And it’s also Small Business Week in the city.
We asked the candidates: What is the state of business in District 5, and how do you plan to support businesses, big and small, as supervisor?
Note: I will be at Alamo Square Cafe, at 711 Fillmore St., on Thursday, May 9, at noon. Come say hi.
Dean Preston
- Job: Incumbent, tenant attorney
- Age: 54
- Residency: Homeowner, in District 5 since 1996
- Transportation: Public transit
- Education: Bowdoin College and J.D. from UC Law San Francisco
- Languages: English
As the only former small-business owner on the Board, I know how hard it is to run a business in San Francisco. I was an early advocate for shared spaces, championed ordinances to stop eviction of businesses during the pandemic and waive back rent, secured grants for Fillmore entrepreneurs, launched a victim-assistance program for vandalized businesses, funded sidewalk power washing, and more.
Our small-business recovery in District 5 has been strong, but there is much more to do, especially for businesses in the Tenderloin.
Iโm proud to be endorsed by Small Business Forward, business owners and workers across District 5.
Endorsed by: Bernie Sanders, United Educators of San Francisco, San Francisco Labor Council, San Francisco Tenants Union, National Union of Healthcare Workers
Allen Jones
- Job: Activist
- Age: 67
- Residency: Tenant in District 5 since November 2021
- Transportation: Wheelchair
- Education: Teaching Bible studies at juvenile hall
- Languages: English
Iโm unsure of the state of business in District 5. I read reports, but they do not match what I witness. Nevertheless, as a resident, I am committed to initially spending at least $100 on any NEW business. For instance, Minnie Bell’s Soul Movement that just opened on Fillmore Street. Check out Holy Stitch on Market Street, a denim factory-plus that opens soon. The entire concept is needed here.
Based on negative experiences Iโve encountered with past and present supervisors, I, as a supervisor, will have my ears and heart open to creativity.
Autumn Looijen
- Job: School board recall co-founder
- Age: 46
- Residency: Tenant in District 5 since December 2020, landowner
- Transportation: Public transit
- Education: B.S. from California Institute of Technology
- Languages: English
No response submitted.
Bilal Mahmood
- Job: Founder of private and philanthropic organizations
- Age: 37
- Residency: Tenant in District 5 since May 2023
- Transportation: Walking
- Education: B.S. from Stanford, M.Phil from University of Cambridge
- Languages: English, Urdu
Businesses in District 5 have struggled to rebound since the pandemic and, in turn, our neighborhoods have suffered devastating losses to their vibrancy. For example, Haight and Hayes have, combined, lost more than 1,000 businesses, a net 5 percent reduction since 2020.
Iโll prioritize revitalizing our business community by streamlining our permitting process and cutting bureaucratic red tape to foster a supportive business environment.
Our economic resilience also depends on supporting diversity and inclusivity in our businesses. Iโve had the opportunity to meet with local business owners around the district who echo the same concerns.
Endorsed by: State Senator Scott Wiener and DCCC Chair Honey Mahogany
Money raised and spent in the District 5 supervisor race
For
Money spent
Against
Dean Preston
$10,530
$301,458
$26,174
$156,791
Bilal Mahmood
$6,846
$63,387
Allen Jones
$0
Autumn Looijen
$0
$0
$100,000
$200,000
$300,000
$400,000
Money spent
For
Against
Dean Preston
$10,530
$301,458
$26,174
$156,791
Bilal Mahmood
$63,387
$6,846
Allen Jones
$0
Autumn Looijen
$0
$0
$100K
$200K
$300K
$400K
Source: San Francisco Ethics Commission, as of April 3, 2024. Chart by Junyao Yang.
The order of candidates is rotated each week. Answers are capped at 100 words, and may be lightly edited for formatting, spelling, and grammar. If you have questions for the candidates, please let us know at eleni@missionlocal.com.
Read the rest of the District 5 questions here, and the entire “Meet the Candidates” series here. Illustrations for the series by Neil Ballard.
You can register to vote via the sf.gov website.
Bilal, why does your little cartoony picture no longer include “lived adjacent” to D5 since May 2021?
Did you realize how ridiculous that sounds?
Math is a bit like neuroscience.
Bilal wrote:
Businesses in District 5 have struggled to rebound since the pandemic and, in turn, our neighborhoods have suffered devastating losses to their vibrancy. For example, Haight and Hayes have, combined, lost more than 1,000 businesses, a net 5 percent reduction since 2020.
One thousand businesses in just two small neighborhoods? And he things there are 20,000 businesses in those same neighborhoods?
I guess math is not Bilalโs strong suit. He def belongs at a lab or think tank and not in a position where he has the power to make thoughtful policy for over 80,000 D5ers. Rich, poor, old, young, various faiths, philosophies, social circumstances etc. Mahmood looks at the Tech sliceโฆโฆthe Stanford bros and goes from there.
Mission Local: thoughtful voters would like to know more about Mahmoodโs sketchy history of carpet baggery. When running for state assembly against Matt Haney, he moved from the Sunnyvale/Cupertino/Palo Alto area up to SF and SOMA. Less than one year ago and after losing to Haney, he then moved to the Tenderloin and the newly gerrymandered D5 district. On the campaign trail, Mahmood touts being a renter but it is said that he owns a nice home in the Mission. Because D5โs population is comprised of +60% renters, we, as a district strongly support tenants rights and those who advocate for justice for tenants. Mahmoodโs โstream lineโ โexpediteโ talking points scream YIMBY. What is Mahmoodโs position on the state wide ballot measure to eliminate Costa Hawkins, on strengthening rent control and on outlawing demolition of rent controlled homes?
Itโs lame (and disrespectful) that the helicoptered in from Los Altos candidate couldnโt be bothered to respond with her plans for ways to aid and strengthen D5โs local small businesses. Informed voters need to hear from candidates about their policies, solutions and plans, not more snark, fear mongering and bashing of current office holders. Otherwise: youโre just a brownie baking, naughty poetry writing ideologue and stalker. Do better candidate from Los Altos.
I found this to be one of Looijen’s more informative responses. I mean, “a hole where a family once stood” was brilliant and all, but this one really highlights her game plan.
PS: โSchool Board Recall founderโ is not an occupation or job Candidate from Los Altos. How do you make a living, pay your bills and rent/mortgage, put food on the table? What is your paying job? Are you on the William Oberndorf, Jesse โJayโ Cheng, Garry Tan and Michael Moritz payroll?