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.
Have a question for the candidates? Meet me on Thursday, Aug. 8, at 5 p.m. at Joy’s Place (611 Post St.). Email me at yujie@missionlocal.com.
Question this week: Who do you support for DA?
Two candidates have declared candidacy for the District Attorney election in November: incumbent DA Brooke Jenkins and Ryan Khojasteh, who appears to be distancing himself from ousted DA Chesa Boudin, who hired Khojasteh to be a prosecutor in 2020.
Three — but only three — of the six District 3 candidates declared their support for Jenkins, while the other three candidates said they’ve not made a decision yet.
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)
Supporting a DA who can collaborate with other city officials is crucial for effective governance. San Francisco’s law enforcement involves multiple independent roles, including the Chief of Police (appointed by an independent commission selected by the Mayor and Board of Supervisors and independent of the DA’s election). When these officials clash or hold differing ideologies, it leads to inefficiencies, public confusion, stalled reforms, reduced accountability, and resource wastage. A DA who fosters open dialogue, seeks common ground, and prioritizes the city’s well-being over personal ideology can bridge these divides. Let’s prioritize candidates committed to cooperation and justice for an effective … 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
I am supporting Brooke Jenkins for San Francisco District Attorney. Under her leadership, San Francisco is improving. Crime has dropped, and people are beginning to see and feel a difference in their neighborhoods. Still, we have a long way to go which is why I want to see our District Attorney build on her early success in improving public safety.
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
Brooke Jenkins. She is a great leader and I will continue to promote her across District 3. San Francisco is safer with Brooke Jenkins.
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 support the candidate who will support my ideas on public safety. No candidate has reached out to speak with me regarding my approach to public safety.
If I am elected, there will be a new approach (an old-school approach) on public safety. The DA must be willing to work with the B.O.S. (Board of Supervisors) on this direction of ZERO TOLERANCE for crime.
That said, the DA should expect the police to follow every law on the books which will make the DA’s office extremely busy prosecuting.
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
Brooke Jenkins. Partnerships and collaboration are key — not politics. As Supervisor, I will work collaboratively with the DA’s office, SFPD, victim advocates, the Public Defender, Probation, the City Attorney’s Office and the Courts to ensure the concerns of residents and merchants are addressed and adjudicated by either the criminal justice system, the civil enforcement system or other innovative forums depending on the issue. Your safety is always my No. 1 priority.
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 have not made a decision. Shared values and priorities I’m looking for:
- Strong prosecution of race, sexual orientation, religion-based hate crimes
- Prioritize resources towards violent crimes
- Protect women who are victims of sexual and domestic violence
- Collaborate with PD to end illegal fencing and drug dealing
- Support effective solutions to homelessness instead of using justice system as a revolving door
- Promotes public safety while finding alternatives to jail where possible
- Reduce recidivism rates
- Not trying youth as adults
- Increase victims services
- Ensure diverse representation in staffing
- Meet drug users with effective services and treatment
Endorsed by: Community Tenants Association, Teamsters Joint Council 7, 7 of the current Board of Supervisors … read more here
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.
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.
