As San Francisco’s mayoral race heats up, candidates are turning their attention to District 5, where Mayor London Breed and former Supervisor Mark Farrell have begun endorsing candidates against incumbent Supervisor Dean Preston.
Political newcomer Scotty Jacobs announced today that he has received Farrell’s endorsement, while earlier this month, Breed backed Bilal Mahmood, another fresh face in the political landscape. Preston continues to have the support of fellow Supervisor Aaron Peskin, who publicly endorsed him at a recent re-election campaign event before declaring his own candidacy for mayor.
Interest from mayoral candidates has not yet materialized in the other district supervisor races; to date, Farrell and Daniel Lurie have not made endorsements in any of them. Breed and Peskin have only made scattered endorsements across the city.
The District 5 supervisor race is drawing significant attention, with candidates raising nearly $1 million in contributions and public financing. Additional funds from outside groups have also been aimed at unseating Preston, noted as one of the city’s most progressive elected officials.
Peskin’s endorsement of Preston aligns with their long-standing political relationship, and progressive voters in District 5 are anticipated to support both Preston in the supervisor race and Peskin in his mayoral bid.
Political analysts, however, question the effectiveness of mayors’ endorsements for District 5 candidates, suggesting that such endorsements could benefit the mayoral candidates themselves instead. Farrell, who is less known in the progressive district, previously supported conservative policies that have not resonated well with local residents.
“It’s about garnering support from [Jacobs], instead of providing support in return,” remarked Jim Stearns, a consultant for Peskin, noting that Farrell might be looking for Jacobs to carry his message in the district.
Jacobs, advocating for tougher public safety policies and an approach that includes deporting drug dealers and mandated treatment, confirmed his support for Farrell’s mayoral campaign. As of late June, Jacobs has raised $23,355.
“I’m honored to have Mark’s sole endorsement. His blend of public and private sector experience will help us get San Francisco back on track,” Jacobs stated. He described District 5 as “ground-zero” for significant political change in the city, highlighting shared goals with Farrell.
A political observer noted that Farrell’s interest in District 5 might stem from a desire to differentiate himself from Breed while appealing to a broader supporter base. “It’s not just about winning D5,” they noted. “It’s about signaling to other stakeholders.”
Breed’s endorsement of Mahmood may similarly be motivated by political calculations, particularly given her strained relationship with Preston. Mahmood has garnered support from influential tech figures, which aligns with the interests of Breed’s backers.
Despite the potential positives of Breed’s endorsement, Stearns cautioned that her unfavorable ratings could pose challenges for Mahmood, as voters may perceive him as a candidate who would merely echo Breed’s policies.
Both Jacobs and Mahmood appear to expect effective collaboration with their potential supervisory choices. Breed expressed the need for a cooperative supervisor at Mahmood’s campaign kickoff event, emphasizing her careful consideration before making an endorsement.
Farrell described Jacobs as a former underdog and emphasized his capacity to address key issues facing District 5, asserting that Jacobs represents the change necessary for San Francisco’s future.