Welcome back to our โMeet the Candidatesโ series, where District 10 supervisor candidates respond to questions each week in 100 words or fewer. Answers will be published every Thursday.
District 10 includes neighborhoods in the cityโs largest southeast sector, including Bayview-Hunters Point, Potrero Hill, Visitacion Valley, Dogpatch, and Sunnydale.
Each candidate is first ordered alphabetically, then rotated each week.
During Mission Localโs sit-down interview with crypto-executive Chris Larsen following his historic contribution of $500,000 in support of District 10 candidate Theo Ellington, Larsen offered one reason for the stunning dollar amount. Ellington, said Larsen, was โcut from the same cloth as Lurie.โ
Days later, Ellington received Mayor Daniel Lurieโs coveted endorsement.
The nod of approval from the popular San Francisco mayor has proven to be pivotal in earlier races this year. In June, all supervisor candidates that received the mayorโs endorsement won in their districts.
While Ellington has backed many of the mayorโs major policy decisions, including a two-hour ban on RVs, many of which are parked on Bayviewโs streets, his opponents have been critical.
Both candidates Dion-Jay Brookter, the former head of the nonprofit Young Community Developers, and J.R. Eppler, a small-business attorney, have run on campaigns that have largely diverged from the mayorโs policies.
Brookter has run with the strong backing of sitting Supervisor Shamann Walton, whose administration has come to blows with the mayor.
This week, Mission Local asked each of the District 10 candidates which policies the mayor has championed they do not agree with, and which ones they do.
Theo Ellington
- Job: Executive director, Ruth Williams Bayview Opera House. Policy director, Brownstein, public affairs director for the Golden State Warriors and the first director of homelessness initiatives and community development for The Salvation Army San Francisco.
- Age: 37
- Residency: Renter and former homeowner, lifelong San Franciscan and third-generation resident, born and raised in Bayview near Third and Palou streets, has lived in the Hunters Point Shipyard in District 10 since 2016
- Transportation: Driving, public transit, walking
- Education: Bachelorโs degree in political science, Notre Dame de Namur University; masterโs degree in urban affairs from the University of San Francisco.
- Languages: English
I support Mayor Lurieโs expansion of no-cost and reduced-cost childcare for low- and middle-income families. District 10 has one of the highest concentrations of children, and childcare is one of the highest costs our families carry.
I disagree with excluding District 10 from his Family Zoning Plan. I supported the plan, but the southeast side deserves the same investment as the rest of our city. Our transit corridors along Third Street, Evans Avenue, Bayshore, and 16th Street should be under consideration and built without displacement.
I will work with the Mayor and community members across the district to get it done with a Community & Economic Development plan jumpstarted within the first 30 days in office.
Endorsed by: Mayor Daniel Lurie, State Controller Malia Cohen, San Francisco Democratic Party, Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, State Treasurer Fiona Ma, Congressman Kevin Mullin, Former Mayor London Breed, State Senator Scott Wiener, Congresswoman Lateefah Simon, Former Mayor Willie Brown, Supervisor Matt Dorsey, read more here.
J.R. Eppler
- Job: Small-business attorney
- Age: 46
- Residency: Homeowner, lived in San Francisco since 2007 and Potrero Hill since 2010
- Transportation: Driving, public transit, walking, biking
- Education: Bachelor’s degree from Stanford University, law degree from University of California, Los Angeles, MBA from University of California, Los Angeles
- Languages: English
I agree with Mayor Lurieโs decision to commit $2 million to Alice Griffithโs courtyard improvements alongside the City Attorneyโs settlement requiring the owners to invest $3 million in repairs. Families who endured pests, broken elevators and unsafe conditions deserve results, and the city must make sure the repairs happen.
I disagree with his decision to keep using Flock license-plate cameras. The new limits on data access are welcome, but they do not resolve the privacy and trust problems exposed by improper searches. We can equip police to solve crimes without renewing a contract with a vendor we cannot trust.
Endorsed by: Harvey Milk Democratic Club, SF League of Pissed Off Voters, United Educators of San Francisco, California Working Families Party, read more here.
Dion-Jay “DJ” Brookter
- Job: No current job, formerly chief executive officer at Young Community Developers
- Age: 43
- Residency: Homeowner in Candlestick Point/Little Hollywood area since 2021, moved to San Francisco in 2014
- Transportation: Driving, public transit, walking
- Education: Bachelorโs degree in speech communication, Utah State University, masterโs degree in business administration, University of Phoenix
- Languages: English, some Spanish
I strongly supported Mayor Lurieโs expansion of free and low-cost childcare for families with infants and toddlers, recognizing the importance of supporting working families and economic stability.
However, I strongly opposed the administrationโs two-hour RV-parking restriction as implemented. Connecting people experiencing vehicle homelessness to housing is important, but enforcement without viable alternatives risks deepening homelessness.
As Supervisor, I would have prioritized fully funded eviction defense, tenant legal services, city-funded storage instead of mass towing, community-based outreach, immediate housing options, and pathways to permanent housing.
I would also push for accurate counts and equitable distribution of services so District 10 does not bear a disproportionate burden.
We can improve street conditions while preserving dignity and keeping people housed.
Endorsed by: Supervisor Shamann Walton, Former Mayor Willie Brown, Supervisor Connie Chan, Supervisor Myrna Melgar, Former Mayor Art Agnos, Former Supervisor Sophie Maxwell, Former Supervisor Aaron Peskin, Former Supervisor Dean Preston, Former Supervisor John Avalos, read more here.
This electoral season, Mission Local made the decision to only include the answers of candidates who have won a major endorsement or have publicly reported campaign contributions. That narrows down the candidates from 10 to three: Theo Ellington, Dion-Jay Brookter, and J.R. Eppler. Candidates may be added to this series if they later meet this criteria.
Answers may be lightly edited for formatting, spelling, grammar, and to meet the word limit requirement. Do you have questions youโd like to ask the candidates? Email marina@missionlocal.com.
You can register to vote here.
Theoโs answer makes no sense. D10 was deliberately excluded from the Family Zoning Plan because the plan was aimed primarily at adding housing capacity in the north and west sides. It does not provide neighborhood amenities, and the tenant protections intended to guard against displacement were adopted separately and apply citywide.
If Theo wants upzoning on Third Street, Evans and 16th Street, that is a separate proposal. What is concerning is for a serious candidate for District 10 to not understand the basic purpose and structure of one of the cityโs major recent housing policies.
Thereโs three other continuance Shawn Richard is a great candidate. He has been in the community for 33 years. He has created a nonprofit for 33 years to stop violence in our community. He has been a business owner and district 10 it amaze me that he is not posted on here being that DJ is not from San Francisco and he get recognition because of the current district 10 supervisor. Theo and DJ has both set on the Housing committee and has not done anything so Iโm confused. Why are we promoting these three candidates and not all six of them when Shawn and others have done a lot in district 10 for business owners? From a nonprofit to stop the violence I feel like this page is very biased because you have six candidates and you only post three which one is not from San Francisco. Heโs from (Fresno) California and that is DJ and you have Theo who is from here, but cannot stop homelessness or have not place people who is homeless only 1000 from his wordsand he speaks about redevelopment I think this is unfair because most of these candidates who doesnโt have big endorsements of money are not able to debate. JR I donโt know him. I heard his story today and he pacifically speaks about The Hill the rich side of Hill he doesnโt speak about the whole district 10 so Iโm really confused of why heโs even posted on this platform. DJ has said he sat on the police commission and was removed by London breed party so what have he contribute to San Francisco being here for 16 years he sat on Housing he sat on the police commission. He said on a lot of boards and we donโt see any progress.