Between February 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 his seat to lead District 3, which includes North Beach, Chinatown, Union Square, the Financial District, Russian Hill and Nob Hill.
Question this week: Have your politics or your approach to a local issue changed significantly at any point in your life? What caused the shift?
Danny Sauter
- Job: Executive Director, Neighborhood Centers Together
- Age: 36
- Residency: Tenant in District 3 since 2014
- Transportation: Public transportation
- Education: Bachelor’s degree from Miami University
- Languages: English, Cantonese
My core principles of a commitment to public service and seeing government as a way to empower communities and pursue ambitious projects have remained consistent.
Over my 10+ years living in District 3, I have become more committed to protecting rent control and tenant rights. I know thousands of my neighbors would not be in San Francisco were it not for rent control and strong tenant protections. As someone who would be one of the only renters on the Board of Supervisors, I take this commitment seriously to protecting tenants and building more housing to make our city more affordable.
Endorsed by: Nor Cal Carpenters Union, Senator Scott Wiener, Sheriff Paul Miyamoto, Operating Engineers Local 3 … read more here
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
My national politics have remained consistent since I first voted for Obama in 2012, always supporting Democratic candidates.
My interest and approach to local issues has evolved. Working for Pete Buttigieg in 2020 was a turning point; his pragmatic and innovative approach to problem-solving inspired me. I understand the importance of addressing local challenges with creative, practical solutions tailored to the community’s needs.
That experience deepened my commitment to finding effective, community-focused solutions, and reinforced my belief in the power of local government to make meaningful, positive changes.
Wendy Ha Chau
- Job: Attorney
- Age: 44
- Residency: Tenant in District 3 since 2009
- Transportation: Walking
- Education: Juris doctor degree from John F. Kennedy University
- Languages: English
[No response submitted.]
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
I have been unwavering in my politics and my views are a product of my organic life experience. Over my ten years as a resident of D3, I have consistently said our tenants, homeowners, families, small businesses and neighborhoods must always come first, and their voices must never be shut out from our democratic process. My trust and faith in government has waned over the years, in light of the growing number of corruption revelations. I hope a new generation of leadership will restore greater accountability and transparency at City Hall.
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
I’m running for office because I believe we need well-trained, experienced leadership to tackle our most difficult issues.
I did experience a major shift in approach early in my career. As a young planner, I came to realize how limited I was in my ability to affect change. I left that job to pursue hard skills in finance and construction to make the change necessary to make San Francisco a place where families can stay.
This is why I’m running for office, to continue to scale my impact towards advancing inclusive prosperity and housing opportunities for all in our City.
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)
My views have remained consistent, while time and experience have made my approach more seasoned and effective. I believe in protecting the environment, promoting walkability for its numerous benefits, and treating public space as our collective living room. Inclusivity, support, and social freedom are paths to happiness. Government should be simple and accessible, justice should be blind, and leadership requires self-awareness and leading by example. Above all, we must be stewards of our time, striving to leave the world better than we found it, listening and meeting others where they are. Love is the way.
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.
