GrowSF Voter Guide for the March 2024 Primary Election

Last Updated: October 30, 2023

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GrowSF Voter Guide for the March 2024 Primary Election

Photo Credit: Jared Erondu

The March 5, 2024 primary election in San Francisco has several important contests. From the Presidential primary to the local Party County Central Committees, you get to shape the future of our City and Country.

As we approach the March 5, 2024 election we will add more information about the candidates and measures on the ballot, as well as our endorsements. But for now, here is what we know will be on the ballot.

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What's on the ballot?

Federal

Candidates

Need more info? Jump down to the deep dive for a detailed explanation of our endorsement

State

Candidates

Ballot Measures

Need more info? Jump down to the deep dive for a detailed explanation of our endorsement

Local

Candidates

Judges

Need more info? Jump down to the deep dive for a detailed explanation of our endorsement

Ballot Details

Federal

President (Democrat)

Top

The Democratic Presidential Primary is your best shot at influencing who becomes President. The State of California is almost certainly going to vote for the Democratic nominee in the general election, so the primary is where the real action is.

Who's running?

CandidatePartyProfession
Cenk UygurDemocraticTalk show host
Dean PhilipsDemocraticCongressman from Minnesota
Joe BidenDemocraticIncumbent President of the United States
Marianne WilliamsonDemocraticAuthor & Spiritual Advisor

President (Independent)

Top

Hey, it's your vote. If you want to vote for an Independent candidate, you can do that. But it's unlikely that an Independent candidate will win the Presidency, so you should consider voting in one of the Party primaries, instead.

Who's running?

CandidatePartyProfession
Cornell WestIndependentProfessor & Activist
Robert F Kennedy, Jr.IndependentAuthor & Lawyer

President (Republican)

Top

Since California will vote for a Democratic President, Republicans in California only have a chance to influence their party's nominee. If you are a Republican, you should vote in the Republican Presidential Primary to make your voice heard.

Who's running?

CandidatePartyProfession
Asa HutchinsonRepublicanFormer Governor of Arkansas
Chris ChristieRepublicanGovernor of New Jersey
Donald TrumpRepublicanFormer President of the United States
Doug BurgumRepublicanGovernor of North Dakota
Nikki HaleyRepublicanFormer Governor of South Carolina & Former UN Ambassador
Ron DesantisRepublicanGovernor of Florida
Ryan BinkleyRepublicanPastor
Tim ScottRepublicanSenator from South Carolina
Vivek RamaswamyRepublicanEntrepreneur

US Senate

Top

For the first time in a very long time, California will not have an incumbent Senator on the ballot.

Senator Dianne Feinstein had served in the Senate since 1992 (that's 32 years!) and was planning to retire due to declining health. But on Friday, September 29, 2023, Senator Dianne Feinstein passed away while still in office. Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Laphonza Butler to serve out the remainder of Feinstein's term and she has declared that she is not running for the seat.

We expect over a dozen candidates to run, and will update this list as we learn more. Until after the official qualification deadline, we will only list the candidates who have reported more than $0 in fundraising (source), given the sheer volume of candidates.

Who's running?

CandidatePartyProfession
Barbara LeeDemocraticUS Congress, District 12
Katie PorterDemocraticUS Congress, District 47
Adam SchiffDemocraticUS Congress, District 30
Lexi ReeseDemocraticEntrepreneur
Perry PoundDemocraticInvestor
Raji RabDemocraticAviator
Zafar InamDemocratic
James P. BradleyRepublican
Eric EarlyRepublicanAttorney
Denice Gary-PandelRepublicanEducator & Political Scientist
Jehu HandRepublican
Jonathan ReissRepublicanMedia entrepreneur
Mark RuzonIndependent
Major SinghIndependentSoftware Engineer

US Congress, District 11

Top

Rumors were swirling about Nancy Pelosi's retirement, but on September 8 she announced she was officially running for reelection.

Until after the official qualification deadline, we will only list the candidates who have reported more than $0 in fundraising (source).

Who's running?

CandidatePartyProfession
Nancy PelosiDemocraticIncumbent US Congressperson
Bruce LouRepublican

US Congress, District 15

Top

Incumbent Kevin Mullin is the favorite in this race. Only one challenger has reported any money raise so far, but others may declare & raise as the filing deadline approaches on December 8, 2023.

Until after the official qualification deadline, we will only list the candidates who have reported more than $0 in fundraising (source).

Who's running?

CandidatePartyProfession
Kevin MullinDemocraticIncumbent US Congressperson
Anna Cheng KramerRepublicanHousing Development Executive

State

State Senate, District 11

Top

After Nancy Pelosi officially declared to run for re-election, incumbent State Senator Scott Wiener filed his papers to hold on to his seat. By any measure, Senator Wiener is the favorite in this contest.

Who's running?

CandidatePartyProfession
Scott WienerDemocraticIncumbent State Senator
Yvette CorkreanRepublican
Cynthia J CravensDemocratic
Jingchao Xiong Jr.No Party Preference

State Assembly, District 17

Top

Matt Haney has held this seat for just one term; we expect him to run again and easily win re-election.

Who's running?

CandidatePartyProfession
Matt HaneyDemocraticIncumbent State Assemblymember
Otto DukeNo Party Preference
Manuel Noris-BarreraRepublican
Joshua Curtis WolffRepublican

State Assembly, District 19

Top

Phil Ting is termed out, so this will be an open seat. Catherine Stefani is the favorite among those filed to run.

Who's running?

CandidatePartyProfession
Catherine StefaniDemocraticSan Francisco Supervisor, District 2
David E. LeeDemocratic
Arjun SodhaniRepublican

Proposition 1

Top

Behavioral Health Services Program and Bond Measure

What is it?

Proposition 1 is a $6.38 billion bond measure placed on the ballot by the State Legislature. It will fund housing, mental healthcare, and substance abuse treatment for homeless individuals and veterans.

Interstingly, this proposition approves two bills that went through the legislature in 2023: Senate Bill 326 and Assembly Bill 531, according to BallotPedia.

Why is this on the ballot?

Proposition 1 amends the Mental Health Services Act, which was passed as Proposition 63 in 2004. All amendments to prior ballot measures must be approved by the voters.

Fiscal impacts

Proposition 1 does not institute a new tax, it merely changes how revenues from an existing tax are spent. As such, it does not have a direct fiscal impact on the State budget.

San Francisco

The most important election right now is for County Central Committee. These bodies control the local Democratic and Republican parties, and are responsible for endorsing candidates and ballot measures. If you want to influence the future of San Francisco politics, this is the election to pay attention to.

GrowSF advises everyone to register with a party. Being a no-party-preference or Independent voter just means you have less say in who gets elected. If you want to have a voice in the Democratic Party, you need to be a registered Democrat. If you want to have a voice in the Republican Party, you need to be a registered Republican.

If you're unhappy with the party, your best choice is to register as a member and vote for who runs it. Don't protest the parties, get involved and change them!

County Central Committees

Democratic County Central Committee, District 17

Top

We expect a crowded field of over 30 candidates. We will update this list as we learn more.

Who's running?

CandidatePartyProfession
Anita MartinezDemocratic
Bilal MahmoodDemocraticCivil Servant / Entrepreneur
Carrie Elise BarnesDemocratic
Cedric AkbarDemocraticCommunity Advisory Board Member
Christopher ChristensenDemocratic
Dimitry YakoushkinDemocratic
Emma HeikenDemocraticLegislative Aide to Supervisor Myrna Melgar, District 7
Gloria BerryDemocratic
Jane KimDemocraticFormer Supervisor, District 6
Jeremy LeeDemocratic
Joe SangirardiDemocraticDevelopment Director, California YIMBY
John AvalosDemocraticFormer Supervisor, District 11
Joshua OchoaDemocratic
Joshua Rudy OchoaDemocratic
Karen FleshmanDemocratic
Kristen HardyDemocratic
Laurance LeeDemocratic
Lily HoDemocraticDelta Chinatown Initiative, President and Founder
Luis ZamoraDemocraticDirector of Executive Affairs, City Attorney's Office; Former Commissioner
Michael LaiDemocratic
Michael NguyenDemocratic
Nancy TungDemocraticProsecutor and Community Advocate; DA's office
Patrick BellDemocratic
Peter GallottaDemocratic
Peter LeeDemocraticBoard member and business advisor
Sal RosselliDemocratic
Sydney SimpsonDemocratic
Trevor ChandlerDemocraticSubstitute Teacher; Candidate for Supervisor, District 9
Vick ChungDemocratic

Democratic County Central Committee, District 19

Top

We expect a crowded field of over 30 candidates. We will update this list as we learn more.

Who's running?

CandidatePartyProfession
Brian QuanDemocratic
Catherine StefaniDemocraticSupervisor, District 2
Connie ChanDemocraticSupervisor, District 1
Dan CalamuciDemocraticSenior Rep, Nor Cal Carpenters
Frances HsiehDemocratic
Gordon MarDemocraticFormer Supervisor, District 4
Gregory HardemanDemocratic
Hene KellyDemocratic
Jade TuDemocraticChief of Staff, TogetherSF
Lanier ColesDemocraticHealthcare professional
Leah LaCroixDemocratic
Mano RajuDemocraticSF Public Defender
Marjan PhilhourDemocraticSmall Business and Community Advocate
Michael ChenDemocraticData Engineer; SFMTA Advisory Council
Michela Alioto-PierDemocratic
Natalie GeeDemocratic
Parag GuptaDemocratic
Queena ChenDemocratic
Sandra Lee FewerDemocraticFormer Supervisor, District 1
Sara BarzDemocratic

Republican County Central Committee, District 17

Top

Who's running?

CandidatePartyProfession
Bruce LouRepublican
Colton WeeksRepublican
Jason Chuyuan ZengRepublican
Joshua Curtis WolffRepublican
Larry Scott MarsoRepublican
Leonard LacayoRepublican
Leslie HuangRepublican
Manuel Noris-BarreraRepublican
Susan E. AbbottRepublican

Republican County Central Committee, District 19

Top

Who's running?

CandidatePartyProfession
Bob RintelRepublican
Clinton GriessRepublican
Dorothy J. LeoneRepublican
Edward BateRepublican
Eric RoddieRepublican
Howard EpsteinRepublican
Jacob SpanglerRepublican
Jason ClarkRepublican
Jeremiah BoehnerRepublican
John DennisRepublican
Joseph Coyne BleckmanRepublican
Lisa RemmerRepublican
Monika RothenbuhlerRepublican
Philip Louis WingRepublican
Rodney LeongRepublican
Rodolfo AsercionRepublican
Stephanie JeongRepublican
Thomas SleckmanRepublican
Yvette CorkreanRepublican

Green Party County Council

Top

Who's running?

CandidatePartyProfession
John ChandoniaGreen

Peace and Freedom County Central Committee

Top

Who's running?

CandidatePartyProfession
Meghann AdamsPeace & Freedom
Richard BeckerPeace & Freedom
Thomas LaceyPeace & Freedom
Gloria Estela La RivaPeace & Freedom
Silvio Lopes de OliveiraPeace & Freedom
Ramsey RobinsonPeace & Freedom
Ekaterine Martia WuPeace & Freedom

Judges (SF)

Judge, Seat 1

Top

For the first time in a long time, a sitting judge is being challenged by an outsider. We'll be watching if more challengers file by the November 8, 2023 deadline.

Who's running?

CandidatePartyProfession
Michael I. BegertNon-partisan
Albert "Chip" ZecherNon-partisan

Judge, Seat 2

Top

Who's running?

CandidatePartyProfession
Teresa M. CaffeseNon-partisan

Judge, Seat 3

Top

Who's running?

CandidatePartyProfession
Roger C. ChanNon-partisan

Judge, Seat 4

Top

Who's running?

CandidatePartyProfession
Andrew Y. S. ChengNon-partisanSeat 4

Judge, Seat 5

Top

Who's running?

CandidatePartyProfession
Samuel K. FengNon-partisan

Judge, Seat 6

Top

Who's running?

CandidatePartyProfession
Simon J. FrankelNon-partisan

Judge, Seat 7

Top

Who's running?

CandidatePartyProfession
Christopher C. HiteNon-partisan

Judge, Seat 8

Top

Who's running?

CandidatePartyProfession
Curtis E. A. KarnowNon-partisan

Judge, Seat 9

Top

Who's running?

CandidatePartyProfession
Kathleen KellyNon-partisan

Judge, Seat 10

Top

Who's running?

CandidatePartyProfession
Stephen M. MurphyNon-partisan

Judge, Seat 11

Top

Who's running?

CandidatePartyProfession
Michael RhoadsNon-partisan

Judge, Seat 12

Top

Who's running?

CandidatePartyProfession
Jeffrey S. RossNon-partisan

Judge, Seat 13

Top

Who's running?

CandidatePartyProfession
Patrick ThompsonNon-partisan

Judge, Seat 14

Top

Who's running?

CandidatePartyProfession
Monica F. WileyNon-partisan

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