SF Democrats Endorse Mak, And, Controversially, Wong

by Landon Dickey, 2006-08-22

The members of San Francisco’s Democratic County Central Committee (DCCC) met Monday night to discuss their endorsements for the upcoming November election. The majority of the discussion was devoted to the candidates up for election and re-election for the School Board, College Board, and district supervisor positions. Jaynry Mak won the crucial endorsement in the District 4 Supervisors race, and the issue that proved the most divisive, however, both among the committee and the public, was the endorsement of College Board incumbent, Lawrence Wong.

Wong drew sharp criticism from labor group UNITEHERE Local 2 for attending the Bay Area Reporter’s 35th anniversary celebration hosted at the boycotted Fairmont Hotel this past March. Kelly Dugan, a member and organizer of UNITEHERE, implored the committee to stand with low wageworkers against Wong and his explicit violation of the boycott.

Wong spoke up on his own behalf, backed by a number of his city college constituents, begging the committee to let his 12 years of labor advocacy speak for itself. He insisted he was unaware of the boycott having crossed no picket line, but apologized for his “stupid, stupid mistake”. A number of colleagues, affirmed Wong’s commitment to labor, minority, and gay/transgender causes, and reiterated the need for his diverse voice on the College Board.

The committee vote that followed reflected a lack of communication, consensus, and cohesion of ideology among the city’s democratic leaders. A roundabout discussion between two different types of democrats occurred, one advocating blind loyalty to the party cause, and the other calling for careful scrutiny of each candidate, regardless of his party affiliation. One spoke of second chances while the other spoke in an unforgiving tone about putting forth the most reliable candidates.

Fittingly, it took two separate votes to bring the divided representatives to a final decision. Members were allowed to vote for three candidates, a seemingly easy task with the three democratic incumbents on the ballot. Nonetheless, the first roll call vote denied Wong the endorsement but extended it to his two colleagues, Anita Grier and Johnnie Carter. The second, after a motion for reconsideration by Senator Feinstein’s proxy, extended the party’s endorsement to all three candidates. Wong very narrowly squeezed through with the 17-vote baseline, compared to the 30+ votes garnered by each of his colleagues.

But the committee moved on with relative ease to its remaining propositions and candidate endorsements. Against the recommendation of one of its members, the DCCC decided to go forth with its School Board recommendations. Though it was suggested to postpone consideration until the United Educators weighed in on the candidates on August 31st, on first roll call the committee chose Hydra Mendoza and Bob Twomey to fill two of the three open spots on the board. After a second roll call vote, Kim-Shree Maufas was chosen to fill the final spot on recommendation that the board could use the voice of the outspoken African-American advocate.

Among the endorsements candidates for the five districts facing re-election included incumbent Michela Alioto-Pier (District 2), newcomer Jaynry Mak (4), and incumbents Chris Daly (6), Bevan Dufty (8), and Sophie Maxwell (10). The party displayed solidarity in committing to only one endorsee for each district.

In a further show of unity, the committee moved to fully adopt the Democratic State Party’s position on all statewide propositions besides two, Propositions 83 and 89. Though they moved to table Proposition 83 due to insufficient information, they voted yes on 89 with a %50 + 1 majority of 17 out of 32 votes (abstentions deducted from the total). Proposition 89, the Clean Money and Fair Elections Act, provides public financing for political campaigns. The public also stood in support of this legislation, which “means less time dialing for dollars, more time talking to voters and changing the political landscape”.

The DCCC supported with overwhelming majorities local propositions calling for school bonds, business accommodations for workers on parental leave, tenant relocation benefits, the president and vice president’s impeachment, and paid sick days. The committee stepped forth with a united front for progressive politics.

By the end of the night, democrats had for the most part ironed out all the kinks. Nonetheless, it will be interesting to see how their wishy-washy stance on Wong’s endorsement plays out in November.
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Summary of Endorsements

Public Defender: Jeff Adachi
Assessor-Recorder: Phil Ting
School Board: Hydra Mendoza, Bob Twomey, Kim-Shree Maufas
College Board: Johnnie Carter, Lawrence Wong, Anita Grier
District 2 Supervisor: Alioto-Pier
District 4 Supervisor: Jaynry Mak
District 6 Supervisor: Chris Daly
District 8 Supervisor: Bevan Dufty
District 10 Supervisor: Sophie Maxwell
Proposition 89: Clean Money and Fair Elections Act

Proposition A: School Bonds
Proposition B: Parental Leave Policies
Proposition C: Setting Salaries of Certain Elected Officials
Proposition D: Privacy Protection
Proposition E: Parking Tax Surcharge
Proposition F: Paid Sick Days
Proposition G: Small Business Protection
Proposition H: Tenants Relocation Benefits
Proposition J: Impeachment of President and Vice President
Proposition K: Housing for Seniors and Peoples with Disabilities