Because Supervisor Aaron Peskin terms out next January, five candidates have filed to run for the seat to lead District 3, which includes North Beach, Chinatown, Union Square, the Financial District, Russian Hill and Nob Hill.
Between now and the November election, Mission Local will ask each 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.
Question two: Tell us a little bit about your background and what makes you qualified to lead this district?
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
My father immigrated to the city from Jordan with a dream for a better life. He and my mother, both lifelong tenants and small-business owners, are the reason I’m here today. A father of two, I’ve served on the boards of Russian Hill Neighbors, San Francisco Heritage, Union Square Foundation, Middle Polk Neighborhood Association and co-founded the Van Ness Corridor Neighborhoods Council. As Deputy City Attorney, I’ve seen how the city works, and know how to get things done. I have the institutional knowledge and community understanding necessary to hit the ground running and make real change for San Francisco.
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
As an important cultural and financial hub, we need leadership that can deliver.
- Leading outreach, small business and housing development as city staff and in the private sector
- On SFMTA Board, tripled public-safety budget and brought back service like 8AX/BX
- On TIDA Board, shepherded 8,000 housing units and public infrastructure
- Homeless housing non-profit ED, delivering units in record low cost and speed
- Currently, working on downtown’s recovery by diversifying the economic base
My track record across sectors, and as the sole Asian-American and female candidate, uniquely positions me to serve and fight for our district’s diverse needs.
Endorsed by: Community Tenants Association, Teamsters Joint Council 7, 7 of the current Board of Supervisors … read more here
JConr B. Ortega
- Job: Self-described formerly homeless, leatherman, boxer
I carry experience from the same lives led by those we need to fix. I’ve been homeless. I understand the struggling and the fear calling the streets home. Through hard work, I now live in a home and run a business. I understand the fear business owners feel when it comes to trying to keep employees safe [and] trying to keep one’s livelihood thriving. The experience I shared gives me a clear understanding on how policy is supposed to be made, not crafted by politicians.
Danny Sauter
- Job: Executive Director, Neighborhood Centers Together
- Age: 35
- Residency: Tenant in District 3 since 2014
- Transportation: Public transportation
- Education: Bachelor’s degree from Miami University
- Languages: English, Cantonese
District 3 is a collection of incredible neighborhoods with unique challenges, and residents deserve someone who has a deep record of serving and delivering for this community.
From my time as president of my neighborhood association, to starting two small businesses in District 3, to serving low-income youths and seniors at our community centers in North Beach and Chinatown, I’m proud of my work to improve District 3.
I’ve rented an apartment in North Beach for 10 years, and would be a voice for tenants as one of the only renters on the Board.
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 background and previous experiences distinguish me as a candidate. I am a third generation San Franciscan, I started a small laundry business in San Francisco, and I’ve helped thousands of families achieve their dream of home ownership.
My firsthand experience as a small business owner, success turning thousands of renters into owners, and generational roots in San Francisco equip me to engage with the community and write effective legislation. I would be honored to represent District 3 and shake up the institutional thinking at City Hall.
Money raised and spent in the District 3 supervisor race
Money spent
Money raised
Sharon Lai
$9,493
$86,241
Danny Sauter
$7,904
$74,566
Moe Jamil
$16,015
$71,672
JConr B. Ortega
$0
Matthew Susk
$0
Eduard Navarro
$0
$0
$50,000
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
Money raised
Money spent
Sharon Lai
$9,493
$86,241
Danny Sauter
$7,904
$74,566
Moe Jamil
$16,015
$71,672
JConr B. Ortega
$0
Matthew Susk
$0
Eduard Navarro
$0
$0
$50K
$100K
$150K
$200K
Source: San Francisco Ethics Commission, as of April 3, 2024. Chart by Junyao Yang.
Candidates are ordered alphabetically. 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.
Read the rest of the series here. Illustrations for the series by Neil Ballard.
You can register to vote via the sf.gov website.
Ask them how they plan to address crime, and how to keep businesses from closing and leaving. Those are the two most important issues this year.
@Sautner – Being a renter for 10yrs is not a badge of honour. We need less more common sense policies and less division.
Questions for District 3 candidates:
Will you refuse to accept money from GrowSF and other political groups that are funded by billionaires?
What is your plan for getting the Central Subway into North Beach?
We need a reasonably-priced full-service grocery store in addition to Trader Joe’s. How are you going to make that happen?