In our “Meet the candidates” series, we are asking every supervisorial hopeful in the November 2024 election one question each week. Candidates are asked to answer questions on policy, ideology, and more in 100 words or less.
Answers are being published individually each week, but we are also archiving each answer on separate pages for each district, to make it easier for voters to browse. Click the questions below to see all the District 3 candidates’ responses.
Week 2: Tell us a little bit about your background and what makes you qualified to lead this district?
Moe Jamil
Deputy City Attorney, San Francisco City Attorney’s Office
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.
Sharon Lai
Economic recovery leader at the World Economic Forum, former board member at the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency
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.
JConr B. Ortega
Self-described formerly homeless, DAD democrat, 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
Executive Director, Neighborhood Centers Together
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.
Matthew Susk
Former lead with Divvy Homes
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.
Week 1: What is your number-one issue in this election and what do you plan to do about it?
Moe Jamil
Deputy City Attorney, San Francisco City Attorney’s Office
As District 3 Supervisor, I’ll hold our City government accountable for standing with our communities and ensuring our neighborhoods are clean and safe. I know City Hall inside and out from years of experience in the City Attorney’s Office and as a community leader. I’ll bring strong leadership to City Hall to re-establish trust, make sure District 3 residents are heard, and address everyone’s frustrations with the state of the City. I will remain open and accessible, actively meeting with — and listening to — voters’ concerns. By doing so, I’ll demonstrate that I’m committed to transparency and responsiveness as District 3’s next Supervisor.
Sharon Lai
Economic recovery leader at the World Economic Forum, former board member at the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency
Public safety: After being attacked on MUNI and rising anti-Asian hate, I tripled the public safety budget for SFMTA to increase ambassadors, visibility staffing, outreach staff, as well as increased data transparency with SFPD.
As District 3 Supervisor, I will:
- Build interdepartmental relationships, reduce inefficiencies, use appropriate technology to address hate crimes, theft and personal attacks.
- Hire, train, retain police officers: Tackle the 600 vacant police positions and streamline the job they should do. Expand alternatives like community policing and focus the officers’ time on violent crimes, instead of paperwork.
- Increase pedestrian safety to stop senseless fatalities and injuries now!
JConr B. Ortega
Self-described formerly homeless, DAD democrat, leatherman, boxer
Sustainability is the biggest issue we face. What’s happening now, in both our district and the city, cannot be sustained any longer. Crime, homelessness, loss of businesses and the City at risk of bankruptcy; our city is on the verge of collapse. My RR&R plan is to remove drugs dealers (include deportation) and get addicts into treatment. While Prop 47 supports thieves, alternative ways of accountability can be developed to ensure thieves learn their lesson. Rebuild our community’s infrastructure and reinvest by making it easier and faster to start a business, encourage innovation and support our youth!
Danny Sauter
Executive Director, Neighborhood Centers Together
My top priority is ensuring that everyone feels safe in San Francisco. This starts with a fully-staffed first responder network, from police officers to street crisis teams and 911 dispatchers. I will increase hiring bonuses, especially for those who speak priority languages, like Cantonese to serve our Chinatown community.
We also need to do more with our existing resources. This means utilizing the latest technology to prevent and solve crimes and getting police officers out of the station and into the neighborhoods so that we have a community-oriented safety response.
Matthew Susk
Former lead with Divvy Homes
When I was growing up in District 3, I was encouraged to explore San Francisco by walking around the community. I now speak with elders who are afraid to go out after dark, and young families who are worried about walking their children to school. That is unacceptable. As supervisor, ensuring the safety of our streets will be my number one priority. We will recruit the best law enforcement officers, fully staff the SFPD, arrest fentanyl dealers and compel all hospitals to treat those suffering from drug addiction and mental health issues.
See questions and answers from other districts
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.
You can register to vote via the sf.gov website. Illustrations for the series by Neil Ballard.