Between now and the November election, Mission Local is asking each District 3 candidate one question per week, and candidates will get 100 words to respond. We will compile all responses to the 40-odd questions on a “Meet the Candidates” page, so that voters can get a full picture of their stances.
Because Supervisor Aaron Peskin terms out next January, six candidates have filed to run for the seat to lead District 3, which includes North Beach, Chinatown, Union Square, the Financial District, Russian Hill and Nob Hill.
Have a question for the candidates? Meet me on Thursday, May 30, at 10:30 a.m. at The Coffee Movement, 1030 Washington St. Email me at yujie@missionlocal.com.
Question this week: What’s your plan to make it easier to open a small business in District 3?
Matthew Susk
- Job: Former lead with Divvy Homes
- Age: 32
- Residency: TIC owner, first moved to District 3 in 2007. 2007-2009 while in high school, 2014-2016 after college, 2023-present with his wife.
- Transportation: Walking
- Education: Bachelor’s degree from St. Lawrence University, master’s in business from Georgetown University
- Languages: English
I founded a small business right here in San Francisco, giving me first-hand experience with the red tape, bureaucracy and unnecessary fees. I will be the foremost advocate for small businesses.
I engage with small-business owners every week, and I hear their consistent calls for safe streets, clean streets, and clear regulations. To enhance the quality of life for business owners and residents alike, we must: 1. fully staff the SFPD to ensure our streets are safe and clean, and 2. streamline the permitting process to support the entrepreneurs who want to open new businesses in our neighborhoods.
Moe Jamil
- Job: Deputy city attorney, San Francisco City Attorney’s Office
- Age: 46
- Residency: Owner-occupied condo owner, living in District 3 since May 2014
- Transportation: Walking
- Education: University of California, Berkeley, and law school at Santa Clara University, K-12 public school
- Languages: English, Cantonese
Small businesses are the lifeblood for our neighborhoods and their continued success is one of my top priorities.
We need to give prospective new businesses a single point of contact at city hall to assist them through the process from start to finish. The Office of Economic and Workforce Development has the acumen to get this done with appropriate funding.
Develop a program for ownership succession for legacy and neighborhood-anchoring businesses so a new generation of owners can receive training, financial assistance and support to take over our most beloved local institutions.
Maintain and evolve our tradition of neighborhood local … read more here
Endorsed by: San Francisco Tenants Union, Teamsters Joint Council 7, Retired Assistant Police Chief Garrett Tom, Board President Aaron Peskin … read more here
Sharon Lai
- Job: Economic recovery leader at the World Economic Forum, former board member at the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency
- Age: 41
- Residency: Tenant and owner, living in District 3 since 2023, first moved to SF in 2005
- Transportation: Walk and Muni when solo, drive when with kids
- Education: Bachelor’s degree from University of California, Berkeley, development studies and city and regional planning; master’s degree in public administration, Harvard Kennedy School
- Languages: English, Mandarin, Cantonese
Vibrant small business communities are the backbone of our economy and neighborhood vibrancy, especially in District 3. I’ve heard from prospective and existing small business owners about many barriers they face with the city.
I would champion the following to make it easier to open and sustain a small business:
- One-stop-shop permitting for small businesses with clear predictable requirements and timelines
- Audit, assess, and reform administrative fees and HR burdens
- Increase and fund back-end small business support on complex requirements such as healthcare, liability and retirement benefits
- Support tax relief, and access to state and federal resources
- Expand incentive programs
Endorsed by: Community Tenants Association, Teamsters Joint Council 7, 7 of the current Board of Supervisors … read more here
Eduard Navarro
- Job: Tech startup founder
- Age: 44
- Residency: Tenant in District 3 since December 2021
- Transportation: Walking, public transportation
- Education: CFA Institute: Chartered Financial Analyst, passed level 1. Master’s degree from Columbia University, architecture, concentration in urban design. Master’s degree from Columbia University, real estate development, concentrating in finance. Ecole d’Architecture de La Villette. Bachelor’s degree in architecture from Georgia Institute of Technology.
- Languages: Spanish, French, German, English, Valèncian (Catalan)
Small businesses are the backbone of our community. Having started businesses myself, I know the many challenges involved. Our city’s bureaucracy shouldn’t be one of them. That’s why we need to further streamline the permit process and reduce fees, eliminating subjectivity in decision-making. Improving the Office of Small Business to guide entrepreneurs ,and building on Proposition H’s foundation will help. By “holding the hand” of new businesses through city hall, we can transform the city from an obstacle course into a welcoming partner.
Additionally, for further support, I recommend creating or improving these city programs:
1. Business Incubator Program
2. … read more here
JConr B. Ortega
- Job: Self-described formerly homeless, leatherman, boxer
As a business manager, there are two battles we must fight for our small businesses and that is bringing them in and keeping them.
To bring in our businesses, I will do three things:
1. Remove fees from existing business properties to invite new business in.
2. Slash any unnecessary fees and paperwork, including timetables to open a business.
3. Be the first business representative at city hall and help navigate our businesses through the paperwork from the city.
To keep our businesses here, I will do three things:
1. Make thieves and vandal pay for the damages done to … read more here
Danny Sauter
- Job: Executive Director, Neighborhood Centers Together
- Age: 35
- Residency: Tenant in District 3 since 2014
- Transportation: Public transportation
- Education: Bachelor’s degree from Miami University
- Languages: English, Cantonese
As Supervisor, I will make District 3 the best place to open and run a small business.
We will achieve this by reforming our broken planning code, limiting abuse of discretionary review that hurts small businesses, and holding the city accountable to do their job of providing clean and safe streets and straight-forward business permits and rules.
I’ve opened two small businesses in District 3, including the North Beach Farmers Market, have advocated to change the bureaucracy that blocks small businesses, and started a free restaurant delivery service during the pandemic that supported more than 40 District 3 small businesses.
Endorsed by: Nor Cal Carpenters Union, Senator Scott Wiener, Sheriff Paul Miyamoto, Operating Engineers Local 3 … read more here
Money raised and spent in the District 3 supervisor race
Money spent
Money raised
Sharon Lai
$9,493
$86,241
Danny Sauter
$7,904
$74,566
Moe Jamil
$16,015
$71,672
JConr B. Ortega
$0
Matthew Susk
$0
Eduard Navarro
$0
$0
$50,000
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
Money raised
Money spent
Sharon Lai
$9,493
$86,241
Danny Sauter
$7,904
$74,566
Moe Jamil
$16,015
$71,672
JConr B. Ortega
$0
Matthew Susk
$0
Eduard Navarro
$0
$0
$50K
$100K
$150K
$200K
Source: San Francisco Ethics Commission, as of April 3, 2024. Chart by Junyao Yang.
Answers may be lightly edited for formatting, spelling, and grammar. If you have questions for the candidates, please let us know at yujie@missionlocal.com.
Illustrations for the series by Neil Ballard.
You can register to vote via the sf.gov website.
