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: Do you support Prop. 33? Why or why not.
Despite generally supporting the expansion of rent control in San Francisco, four of the six candidates oppose Prop. 33, a November ballot measure that would allow cities to expand rent control.
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)
No. Prop. 33 sends the wrong signal right now for California and San Francisco. While the repeal of Costa-Hawkins is idealized as a solution to ensure affordability and greater tenant rights, rent control has very real pitfalls and can’t be a stand-alone fix. If we want true affordability, we need a holistic approach: Streamline permitting, attract development and investment, establish urban-design frameworks that preserve and beautify our built environment, create paths to homeownership, review property taxes to keep homes affordable, and ensure California is open for business. This comprehensive strategy will keep the California dream alive and make housing … read more here.
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
As a 10+ year renter in District 3, I know how important protecting our existing rent control is. I also know that we need to build more new homes and reduce the burdensome permitting and financing that stands in the way.
Unfortunately, Prop. 33 does nothing to make it easier to build new affordable homes, and most economists agree it would, in fact, freeze new construction across California. I do not support Prop. 33, because I believe we should expand rent control in combination with making it easier to build new homes, something this flawed ballot measure fails to do.
Endorsed by: San Francisco Democratic Party, California Democratic Renters Council, Sierra Club, Alice B. Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club … 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
I oppose Prop. 33, because it will worsen San Francisco’s housing crisis, reduce public safety, and hurt our public schools.
Prop 33 will reduce the availability of rental housing, drive up housing costs for everyone, and reduce property tax revenue for the City (by far our largest source of tax revenue). This means budget cuts for essential services, like schools and public safety.
We need balanced solutions that protect renters and increase housing supply, not policies that make housing more expensive, hurt our schools and reduce public safety.
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
I am against Prop 33.
Rent will be lowered if I become elected, if we follow my plan I already addressed here at https://missionlocal.org/2024/09/meet-the-district-3-candidates-do-you-support-these-4-sansome-st-towers/.
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
Yes on Prop. 33. One size does not fit all. Cities should once again have the right to decide on their own, free from state interference, what if any types of rent stabilization programs best fit their needs.
Endorsed by: San Francisco Tenants Union, San Francisco police Officers Association, San Francisco Building and Construction Trades Council, 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 support local jurisdictions having the ability to determine the appropriate rent control regulation for their own communities.
Keeping existing tenants housed is a priority for San Francisco as we work toward expanding housing, and housing security, at all income levels. Rent control is one of the best tools we have to ensure that San Franciscans can stay in San Francisco.
As Supervisor, I intend to ensure that our housing policies are based on evidence to keep as many people housed as possible, while weighing impacts on housing development and housing market stability as a whole.
Endorsed by: Community Tenants Association, Teamsters Joint Council 7, 7 of the current Board of Supervisors … read more here
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.
