Welcome back to our โMeet the Candidatesโ series, where District 2 supervisor candidates respond to a question in 100 words or fewer. Answers are published every Tuesday.
District 2 covers neighborhoods in the north of the city including the Presidio, the Marina, Cow Hollow, Pacific Heights, Presidio Heights, Anza Vista, and portions of the Western Addition and North of the Panhandle.
$650 million. Thatโs how large San Franciscoโs budget deficit is expected to be over the next two years.
To close the gap, Mayor Daniel Lurie plans to cut $400 million this year, with $100 million of that coming from cutting 500 jobs, either through layoffs or by eliminating positions.
But the cityโs labor unions do not think layoffs need to happen to close the deficit โ and have pledged to fight the 127 pink slips Lurie has already handed out. They have placed a business tax measure on Juneโs ballot to bring in more revenue to the city. Until that money hits, they want the city to spend from its reserves.
Both Stephen Sherrill and Lori Brooke oppose the unionโs business tax.
This weekโs question: Do you support layoffs this budget cycle? Why or why not?ย
Mission Local color codes the answers to yes/no questions. A blue background means the candidate answered yes, an orange background means no, and a yellow background means that the candidate dodged the question.
Stephen Sherrill
- Job: Appointed District 2 Supervisor
- Age: 39
- Residency: Homeowner, has lived in District 2 since 2015
- Transportation: Driving, public transportation, biking
- Education: Bachelorโs degree from Yale University
- Languages: English
Layoffs should be a last resort. The Controller projects a $168.5 million shortfall next year and structural deficits topping $1 billion after that, so cuts are coming. But we should start by modernizing City Hall, eliminating duplicative departments, and reforming a contracting process plagued by costly delays and pay-to-play. That’s how you balance the budget without gutting core services.
If layoffs prove unavoidable, they should focus on administrative overhead rather than the frontline workers residents depend on, and any cuts must be targeted, transparent, and protect public safety and first responders.
Endorsed by: Mayor Daniel Lurie, GrowSF, Nor Cal Carpenters Union, San Francisco Police Officers Association, SF YIMBY, Northern Neighbors, San Francisco Democratic Party, Sierra Club … read more here.
Lori Brooke
- Job: President, Cow Hollow Association
- Age: 62
- Residency: Homeowner, moved to the district 31 years ago
- Transportation: Driving and walking
- Education: Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara
- Languages: English
While layoffs may be necessary at times, they should be a last resort. San Franciscoโs budget challenges are real, but we need to fix how City Hall operates before cutting the people who deliver services.
That means auditing departments, consolidating duplicative programs, holding leadership accountable for results, and cutting vacant positions that are not critical.
Too often we fund programs without measuring outcomes, resulting in wasted funds. If we make real reforms, we can avoid layoffs. If not, we have to be honest that everything is on the table.
My priority is protecting workers and essential services while addressing inefficiencies.
Endorsed by: Former District 2 Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier, former State Senator and Supervisor Quentin Kopp, UESF, CA Working Families Party โฆ read more here.
Candidates are ordered alphabetically and rotated each week. Answers may be lightly edited for formatting, spelling, and grammar. If you have questions for the candidates, please let us know at io@missionlocal.com.
You can register to vote via the sf.gov website.