from Barak, see barakgila.com for more of my writing

Hook

San Francisco has been a Democratic stronghold for decades. But whomst are the Democrats? How are the factions within the San Francisco Democratic Party defined? Who gets to be an Official Progressive San Francisco Democrat™️? Who won last night, who’s gonna win in November, and will San Francisco become Taipei or Tulsa?

Context

If you don’t know what was on the ballot, please check out March 2024 Election Guide (SF/CA/USA), and look up Grow SF and YIMBY in the SF Standard for more local political news.

Punchline

The good guys won harder than even I imagined. We (SF Dems for Change) won ~80% of the DCCC, the SF Democratic Politburo that controls the Official SF Democratic Party platform and endorsements, and ~10% of the vote in November.

What do the good guys stand for? Obama Technocratic Progressivism

• More homes, including subsidized affordable homes for folks making ~$140k and less, and market-rate homes, for everyone.
• Liberal, but not anarchist, policies on public safety and homelessness.
• A belief that government has responsibilities to execute well in proportion with how big a deal it is in our lives. We want San Francisco to be a beacon of progressivism, so
  • Our streets should be clean
  • Our public schools should be the world’s best
  • Our urbanism should be a model for America
  • Corruption, graft, and backroom deals are bad
• Government is for the people, not for corporations, unions, or any other interest group. But by the same token, neither is it inherently against corporations, unions, or any other group.
  • If Cruise injures someone and is misleading about it, ban them.
  • If Waymo launches a safer, affordable alternative to Uber, Lyft, and private car ownership, make sure they continue doing business in our city.

Whomst are the good guys who won the DCCC election?

Current and future members of the 11-seat, district-based Board of Supervisors of San Francisco, our legislative body

Trevor Chandler (D8, Mission)

Matt Dorsey (D6, Soma)

Bilal Mahmood (D5, the Neighborhood/Alamo Square/Hayes/Tenderloin)

Marjan Philhour (D1, the Richmond)

Catherine Stefani (D2, the Marina; future D19 State Assembly member)

People I know well enough personally to vouch for them as YIMBYs: They support more homes in San Francisco

Mike Chen, Carrie Barnes, Matt Dorsey, Michael Lai, Bilal Mahmood, Joe Sangirardi.

People vaguely affiliated with “moderate” politics, business-friendly, tech-friendly vibes.

Educators, engineers, public servants, lawyers.

People of various identity groups.

What else happened?

Adam Schiff locked up the Senator seat. He advances to the general election along with Repubilcan Steve Garvey. He won more votes than the other two major Democrats in the race, Katie Porter (who I hope stays in politics, just Better), and Barbara Lee (who I commend for her work 20 years ago), combined.