Welcome to โMeet the Candidates,โ where Mission Local asks supervisor hopefuls questions in the lead-up to the November election. In District 7 โ which includes the Inner Sunset, Parkmerced and West Portal โ Matt Boschetto and Stephen Martin-Pinto are running against incumbent Myrna Melgar.
This week’s question: Can you name one past and one current supervisor who you look up to? Why?
Also, please come join me for coffee next week to talk about District 7: I will be at Java on Ocean (1700 Ocean Ave.) at 10 a.m. on Thursday August 7. You can also reach out to me at kelly@missionlocal.com.
Myrna Melgar
- Job: District 7 supervisor
- Age: 56
- Housing: Homeowner
- Transport: Bike
- Languages: Spanish, French, Swedish
- Education: Bachelor’s degree, Excelsior College; master’s degree in urban planning, Columbia University
- Residency: Living in Ingleside Terraces since 2011, and lived in District 7 while in college at SF State between 1987 and 1991
Sophie Maxwell, who was such a fierce advocate and fighter for her community, and also supremely elegant and kind. Present: My work husband Rafael Mandelman. Rafael always puts in the work! He is thorough, hardworking, and patient.
Endorsed by: SF Labor Council, SF Tenants Union, Supervisor Aaron Peskin, Supervisor Hillary Ronen, Supervisor Connie Chan, Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, Supervisor Catherine Stefani, Senator Scott Weiner, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins … read more here
Stephen Martin-Pinto
- Job: Firefighter/major, U.S. Marine Corps reserves
- Age: 46
- Housing: Tenant in SF, property owner and landlord in Lemon Grove, California
- Transport: Fairly evenly split between car, Muni and walking
- Languages: Spanish, Russian, Georgian
- Education: University of California, Davis
- Residency: Living in District 7โs Sunnyside since 2014, and earlier from 1983 to 1998
I respect Quentin Kopp because he was an independent who never hesitated to express his opinions and take contrarian stances, Joel Engardio because he was tenacious enough to knock on countless doors and run for office four times, Matt Dorsey because of his courage to propose unpopular but necessary legislation, Catherine Stefani because of her moderate voice, Rafael Mandelman because of his courage to dissent on the Cease-fire resolution, and even though I usually disagree with him, Aaron Peskin because of his quick responsiveness to emails, and also because he is probably the highest IQ elected official (which even his critics have to admit).
Endorsed by: Former District 7 Supervisor Tony Hall, former Planning Commissioner Michael Antonini, former Police Chief Tony Ribera, drug policy advocate Tom Wolf, BART Board Director Debora Allen … read more here
Matt Boschetto
- Job: Small business owner
- Age: 35
- Housing: Homeowner
- Transport: Car
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in philosophy, Saint Mary’s College of California
- Residency: Living in District 7 since 2014
I respect many past and present supervisors, but I particularly admire current Supervisor Dorsey for his steadfast efforts to address the highest priority issues in his district. His legislative record reflects his core values of serving his constituents above all. Supervisor Dorsey consistently challenges the status quo at City Hall to fulfill his promises to voters. While I do disagree with him on some topics, his beliefs are consistent and unwavering, not influenced by expediency. This principled approach to leadership is one I highly respect and aim to emulate as District 7 Supervisor.
Endorsed by: San Francisco Police Officers Association, the Marina Times
The order of candidates alternates each week. Answers may be lightly edited for formatting, spelling, and grammar.
Do you have a question for the candidates? Let me know: kelly@missionlocal.com
Read the rest of the series here. Illustrations for the series by Neil Ballard.
