{{Short description|American politician (born 1969)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Dean Preston | image = Supervisor Dean Preston.jpg | caption = Official portrait, 2023 | office = Member of the<br />San Francisco Board of Supervisors<br />from the 5th district | term_start = December 16, 2019 | term_end = January 8, 2025 | predecessor = Vallie Brown | successor = Bilal Mahmood | birth_date = {{birth year and age|1969}} | birth_place = New York City, U.S. | party = Democratic | other_party = Democratic Socialists of America | occupation = Politician, attorney | website = [https://sfbos.org/supervisor-preston-district-5 Board of Supervisors District 5 website] | alma_mater = Bowdoin College<br />UC Hastings (J.D.) }} '''Dean E. Preston''' (born 1969)<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |date=2024-03-04 |title=Why is Dean Preston SF's most controversial politician? |url=https://sfstandard.com/2024/03/04/supervisor-dean-preston-reelection/ |website=The San Francisco Standard |language=en}}</ref> is an American attorney and former member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. In November 2019, Preston won a special election to finish Mayor London Breed's term on the Board of Supervisors. He was re-elected in 2020 but lost to Bilal Mahmood in 2024.
Born and having grown up in New York City, Preston graduated from Bowdoin College with a degree in anthropology and economics before moving to San Francisco. He graduated with a J.D. from UC Hastings College of the Law and was staff attorney for the Tenderloin Housing Clinic from 2000 to 2008, after which he founded and led Tenants Together, a tenant advocacy organization. Preston is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kane |first=Astrid |date=March 4, 2024 |title=Dump Dean or embrace him? Sizing up the most polarizing man in city politics |url=https://sfstandard.com/2024/03/04/supervisor-dean-preston-reelection/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314134958/https://sfstandard.com/2024/03/04/supervisor-dean-preston-reelection/ |archive-date=March 14, 2024 |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=The San Francisco Standard |language=en}}</ref>
== Early life and education == Preston was born in New York City to a Jewish family.<ref name=":12" /><ref name="hogarth-beyond-chron">{{cite web |last=Hogarth |first=Paul |date=September 20, 2007 |title=Dean Preston to Start Statewide Tenant Organization |url=https://beyondchron.org/dean-preston-to-start-statewide-tenant-organization/ |access-date=November 13, 2019 |website=Beyond Chron}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Garofoli |first=Joe |date=October 11, 2023 |title=Dean Preston condemns Hamas attack after earlier comments on Israel drew backlash |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/preston-hamas-comments-18420076.php |website=San Francisco Chronicle}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Loeb |first1=Lea |first2=Levy-Wolins |last2=Aaron |date=December 6, 2023 |title=S.F. supervisor introduces cease-fire resolution amid 'very real pain' |url=https://jweekly.com/2023/12/06/s-f-supervisor-introduces-cease-fire-resolution-amid-very-real-pain/ |website=The Jewish News of Northern California}}</ref> His father and grandparents were refugees from Nazi Germany during World War II.<ref name="bajko-bar">{{cite web |url=https://www.ebar.com/news///246658 |title=SF supes prez fights to win re-election |last=Bajko |first=Matthew S. |date=October 5, 2016 |website=Bay Area Reporter |access-date=November 13, 2019 }}</ref> His mother was a New Yorker.<ref name=":12" /> Their family owned a co-operative apartment in Greenwich Village.<ref name="hogarth-beyond-chron" /> Preston attended Horace Mann School, a prestigious Ivy League preparatory, which he graduated from in 1987.<ref name=":12" /><ref>{{Cite book |title=Horace Mann Manniken |publisher=Walsworth Publishing Company |year=1987 |editor-last=Blank |editor-first=Diana |volume=1887-1987 Centennial Yearbook |location=Marceline, Missouri, USA |page=125 |language=English |editor-last2=Segal |editor-first2=Abby Jo}}</ref> Preston attended Bowdoin College, where he met his future wife, Jenckyn Goosby.<ref name=":12" /><ref name="bajko-bar" />
He graduated in 1991 with a major in anthropology and economics.<ref name="bowdoin">{{cite web |date=February 10, 2016 |title=Dean E. Preston '91 to Receive 2016 Common Good Award Archives |url=https://www.bowdoin.edu/news/2016/02/dean-e-preston-91-to-receive-2016-common-good-award.html |access-date=November 13, 2019 |website=Bowdoin College |publisher=}}</ref> After graduation, the couple moved to Jenckyn's native San Francisco in 1993, settling down near Alamo Square.<ref name="green-sfc">{{cite news |last=Green |first=Emily |date=September 26, 2016 |title=Breed, Preston differ on housing |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/London-Breed-Dean-Preston-argue-personal-9283790.php |work=San Francisco Chronicle |pages=C1–C4 |access-date=November 13, 2019 }}</ref><ref name="bajko-bar" /><ref name="hogarth-beyond-chron" /> Preston studied law at UC Hastings College of the Law, where he was classmates with Molly McKay.<ref name="hogarth-beyond-chron" /> Preston studied international human rights law, completed an externship at the Hague, and interned for the California Rural Legal Assistance.<ref name="hogarth-beyond-chron" /> He received his J.D. in 1996.<ref name="bowdoin" />
== Early career == After law school, Preston worked for the law firm of John Burris, an Oakland-based attorney representing victims in police brutality cases. Preston spent the late 1990s working at public interest firms<ref name="hogarth-beyond-chron" /> and clerked for Judge D. Lowell Jensen at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California from 1997 to 1998.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=Autumn 1996 |title=Hastings Graduates Receive Judicia Clerkships |url=https://repository.uchastings.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1092&context=alumni_mag#page=13 |journal=Hastings Community |pages=10}}</ref> He joined the non-profit Tenderloin Housing Clinic in 2000 and transitioned to tenant rights law.<ref name="hogarth-beyond-chron" /><ref>{{Cite web|last=Green|first=Emily|date=September 26, 2016|title=London Breed, Dean Preston argue personal, political in race|url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/London-Breed-Dean-Preston-argue-personal-9283790.php|access-date=May 27, 2021|website=San Francisco Chronicle|language=en-US}}</ref> As a staff attorney for THC, Preston represented tenants against evictions, particularly tenants facing eviction due to California’s ''Ellis Act'', a law passed in 1985 which allows landlords to evict all tenants in a building and take the building out of the housing market.<ref name="hogarth-beyond-chron" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Vega |first=Cecilia M. |date=July 7, 2005 |title=Tenancies-in-common battle hits courtroom / North Beach owner wants to convert a 6-unit property |url=https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/SAN-FRANCISCO-Tenancies-in-common-battle-hits-2623626.php |access-date=January 16, 2023 |website=SFGATE |language=en-US}}</ref>
Preston was a co-owner of the bar and nightclub Cafe du Nord in the Castro District of San Francisco.<ref name="bajko-bar" />
In 2008, Preston founded Tenants Together, a coalition of more than 50 local tenant rights organizations in California. Preston served as Executive Director of the organization which advocated for state legislation and helped form local tenant unions to push for rent control and tenants rights laws in several cities in California.<ref name="redmond-48-hills">{{cite web |url=https://48hills.org/2018/09/statewide-tenant-group-celebrates-ten-years-of-organizing/ |title=Statewide tenant group celebrates ten years of organizing |last=Redmond |first=Tim |date=September 20, 2018 |website=48 Hills |access-date=November 13, 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sfweekly.com/news/eviction-stress-reaches-far-and-wide-in-renter-heavy-s-f/ |title=Eviction Stress Reaches Far and Wide in Renter-Heavy S.F. |last=Sawyer |first=Nuala |date=May 3, 2018 |website=SF Weekly |access-date=November 13, 2019 }}</ref>
== San Francisco Board of Supervisors == [[File:Dean Preston (Election Night 2019).jpg|thumb|right|Preston at an election night campaign event in 2019]]
=== Elections === Preston ran against incumbent London Breed in the 2016 Board of Supervisors election for District 5 but lost 48% to 52%.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sfelections.sfgov.org/november-8-2016-election-results-summary |title=November 8, 2016 Election Results – Summary |date=November 8, 2016 |publisher=San Francisco Department of Elections |access-date= }}</ref>
In July 2018, Preston, a member of the San Francisco chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA),<ref>{{cite web |title=DSA SF Endorses Dean Preston for D5 Supervisor |url=https://dsasf.org/dsa-sf-endorses-dean-preston-for-d5-supervisor/ |website=dsasf.org |publisher=DSA San Francisco |accessdate=November 15, 2019 |date=February 17, 2019}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> became a candidate for the 2019 District 5 Supervisor election, to fill the vacancy left when Breed became mayor.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sfweekly.com/news/dean-preston-pulls-papers-for-district-5-supervisor/ |title=Dean Preston Pulls Papers for District 5 Supervisor |last=Sawyer |first=Nuala |date=July 6, 2018 |website=SF Weekly |access-date=November 13, 2019 }}</ref> Shortly after, Breed appointed Vallie Brown to the fill the position, and Brown ran as an incumbent.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/SF-Mayor-Breed-appoints-Vallie-Brown-former-13079080.php |title=SF Mayor London Breed appoints Vallie Brown, former legislative aide, as supervisor |last=Fracassa |first=Dominic |date=July 16, 2018 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |access-date=November 13, 2019 }}</ref> Preston ran as a democratic socialist and won the election by a narrow margin, becoming the first democratic socialist elected to the board since Harry Britt stepped down in 1993.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Progressive-tenants-rights-attorney-squeaks-14823164.php |title=Progressive Dean Preston squeaks out win over mayor's ally in District 5 supes race |last=Thadani |first=Trisha |date=November 9, 2019 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |access-date=November 13, 2019 }}</ref> Preston was sworn in on December 16, 2019.<ref name="sfexam-16dec2019">{{cite news |title=Dean Preston sworn in as District 5 supervisor |url=https://www.sfexaminer.com/photo-galleries/dean-preston-sworn-in-as-district-5-supervisor/ |accessdate=December 17, 2019 |work=San Francisco Examiner |date=December 16, 2019}}</ref>
Preston ran as an incumbent in the November 2020 election, with Brown campaigning for her former seat. He won against Brown 55% to 45%.<ref>{{cite web |last=Thadani |first=Trisha |date=November 8, 2020 |title=S.F. Board of Supervisors races: All results are called |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/local-politics/article/S-F-Board-of-Supervisors-races-Here-s-where-15699908.php |access-date=November 13, 2020 |website=San Francisco Chronicle}}</ref>
In his November 2024 election for a second full term, Preston received a plurality of first-round votes but was defeated by moderate opponent Bilal Mahmood in ranked-choice voting.<ref>{{cite web |last=Toledo| first=Aldo |date=November 11, 2024|title=Supervisor Dean Preston loses to Bilal Mahmood in S.F.'s District 5 supervisor race |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/election/article/sf-supervisor-district-5-dean-preston-19857793.php |access-date=November 13, 2024 |website=San Francisco Chronicle}}</ref>
=== Tenure === ==== Tenant rights and eviction protection ==== Preston authored San Francisco's 2018 Proposition F, which directs the city to establish a universal right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fracassa |first1=Dominic |last2=Thadani |first2=Trisha |date=August 8, 2018 |title=Tenant activists turn up at SF Mayor Breed's event to demand proper credit |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Tenant-activists-turn-up-at-SF-Mayor-Breed-s-13142138.php |access-date=November 13, 2019 |website=San Francisco Chronicle}}</ref> The proposition was approved in June 2018 by a vote of 55%.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Mojadad |first=Ida |date=August 27, 2020 |title=Tenant right to counsel funding expanded during budget process |url=https://www.sfexaminer.com/archives/tenant-right-to-counsel-funding-expanded-during-budget-process/article_4edf597e-8211-5b81-8c27-2dc3d04c439e.html |access-date=January 16, 2023 |website=San Francisco Examiner |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=Waxmann |first=Laura |date=August 28, 2020 |title=S.F. tenant right-to-counsel program receives funding amid threat of budget cuts |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2020/08/28/sf-tenant-right-to-counsel-program-receive-775k.html |access-date=January 16, 2023 |website=San Francisco Business Times}}</ref> After joining the Board of Supervisors, Preston continued to advocate for the program that provides legal representation to tenants in eviction court for the duration of their cases.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wenus |first=Laura |date=March 10, 2020 |title=Right to Counsel Helps Tenants Stay in Place, But Effort Is Short on Attorneys |url=https://www.sfpublicpress.org/right-to-counsel-helps-tenants-stay-in-place-but-effort-is-short-on-attorneys/ |access-date=January 16, 2023 |website=San Francisco Public Press |language=en-US}}</ref> By August 2020, the program was already underfunded by $4 million when the Mayor Breed announced an additional $1 million cut to the program in her proposed budget.<ref name=":9" /> Preston and other supervisors rejected the budget cuts and instead approved a $750,000 increase.<ref name=":8" />
In April 2020, Preston introduced an ordinance to permanently bar eviction of tenants for failure to pay rent because of issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Dineen |first1=J. K. |last2=Thadani |first2=Trisha |date=June 8, 2020 |title=Supervisor wants SF to make pandemic eviction protections permanent. Should it? |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/local-politics/article/Supervisor-wants-SF-to-make-pandemic-eviction-15323349.php |access-date=January 16, 2023 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref> The measure, which passed the Board of Supervisors in June 2020 by a vote of 10 to 1, not only barred evictions but also prohibited fees, penalties, interest and other charges incurred due to the pandemic.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Waxmann |first=Laura |date=June 9, 2020 |title=San Francisco permanently bans evicting tenants who didn't pay rent during Covid-19 crisis |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2020/06/09/san-francisco-permanently-bans-evictions-resulting.html |access-date=January 16, 2023 |website=San Francisco Business Times}}</ref> A group of associations representing landlords in San Francisco filed a lawsuit in the San Francisco Superior Court challenging the ordinance<ref>{{Cite web |last=Arroyo |first=Noah |date=June 29, 2020 |title=Real Estate Groups Sue S.F. Over Eviction Ban |url=https://www.sfpublicpress.org/real-estate-groups-sue-sf-over-eviction-ban/ |access-date=January 16, 2023 |website=San Francisco Public Press |language=en-US}}</ref> but the court upheld the eviction prohibition in August 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Arroyo |first=Noah |date=August 3, 2020 |title=Court Upholds S.F. Eviction Ban |url=https://www.sfpublicpress.org/court-upholds-s-f-eviction-ban/ |access-date=January 16, 2023 |website=San Francisco Public Press |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Waxmann |first=Laura |date=August 3, 2020 |title=Judge denies lawsuit challenging San Francisco's permanent Covid-19 eviction ban |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2020/08/03/lawsuit-eviction-ban-san-francisco.html |access-date=January 16, 2023 |website=San Francisco Business Times}}</ref>
Preston again introduced legislation to extend eviction protections in May 2021 as the state-wide eviction moratorium in effect at the time was due to expire.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hom |first=Annika |date=May 26, 2021 |title=Supe introduces legislation to extend local eviction moratoriums |url=http://missionlocal.org/2021/05/legislation-introduced-to-extend-local-eviction-moratoriums/ |access-date=January 20, 2023 |website=Mission Local |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Waxmann |first=Laura |date=May 5, 2021 |title=S.F. supervisor seeks second extension of eviction ban |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2021/05/05/s-f-supervisor-seeks-extension-on-eviction-ban.html |access-date=January 20, 2023 |website=San Francisco Business Times}}</ref> The Board of Supervisors passed Preston's eviction protection legislation in June 2021 to extend the moratorium until the end of 2021,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moench |first=Mallory |date=June 24, 2021 |title=S.F. to extend eviction moratorium as negotiations over state rent protection continue |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/local-politics/article/S-F-to-extend-eviction-moratorium-as-16266461.php |access-date=January 21, 2023 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref> but the state legislature a week later passed its own extension to September 2021, cutting short San Francisco's local measure by three months.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moench |first=Mallory |date=September 23, 2021 |title=S.F.'s plan to extend eviction moratorium through end of 2021 foiled by state law |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/S-F-s-plan-to-extend-eviction-moratorium-16477675.php |access-date=January 21, 2023 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref> In September 2021, the Board unanimously adopted emergency legislation introduced by Preston to temporarily bar "no-fault evictions due to owner move-ins, condo conversions, breach of contract, capital improvements, renovations and demolition of a unit".<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |last=Li |first=Roland |date=October 1, 2021 |title=S.F. Supervisor Preston wants 'eviction free zone' in his district |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/S-F-Supervisor-Preston-wants-eviction-free-16503456.php |access-date=January 21, 2023 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref>
In October 2021, Preston started a tenant outreach campaign promoting his district as an “eviction-free zone", including programs to educate residents about ways to avoid eviction and obtain rental assistance.<ref name="auto" /> In December 2021, he proposed an ordinance to require landlords to give a 10-day advance notice to tenants before filing for eviction.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SF Supervisor Preston Proposes 10-Day Warning Period For Renters Facing Eviction |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/sf-supervisor-preston-proposes-10-day-warning-period-for-renters-facing-eviction/ |access-date=January 21, 2023 |website=CBS News |date=December 7, 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref> The Board of Supervisors unanimously passed the measure in January 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 27, 2022 |title=Supes unanimously approve ordinance requiring landlords give 10-day notice before evictions |url=https://www.sfexaminer.com/archives/supes-unanimously-approve-ordinance-requiring-landlords-give-10-day-notice-before-evictions/article_8450e955-9fed-5402-8cfb-a13e2e5175ad.html |access-date=January 21, 2023 |website=San Francisco Examiner |language=en}}</ref> Preston led a successful effort in August 2022 to stop the eviction of several Black residents of the King-Marcus Garvey Apartments in Western Addition who were being evicted due to a technicality in the regulations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dineen |first=J. K. |date=August 12, 2022 |title=This 61-year-old chef was facing homelessness. Now his eviction from an S.F. co-op is on hold |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/This-61-year-old-chef-was-facing-homelessness-17370561.php |access-date=January 21, 2023 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref>
==== Homelessness ==== In April 2020, Preston co-introduced legislation with Supervisors Matt Haney, Hillary Ronen and Shamann Walton to require Mayor Breed to secure 8,250 hotel rooms to house the homeless during the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Webeck |first=Evan |date=April 15, 2020 |title=Coronavirus: San Francisco to secure thousands of hotel rooms for homeless, frontline workers |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/04/15/coronavirus-san-francisco-to-secure-thousands-of-hotel-rooms-for-homeless-frontline-workers |access-date=January 19, 2023 |website=The Mercury News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Howey |first=Brian |date=June 3, 2020 |title=Homeless Clamor for Safe Camp Sites While Over 1,000 Hotel Rooms Go Unused |url=https://www.sfpublicpress.org/homeless-clamor-for-safe-camp-sites-while-over-1000-hotel-rooms-go-unused/ |access-date=January 19, 2023 |website=San Francisco Public Press |language=en-US}}</ref> Preston also raised the funds to rent 30 rooms at the Oasis Inn near City Hall to house homeless people.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Krans |first=Brian |date=April 20, 2020 |title=San Francisco Quick To Fight COVID-19, Slow To Help Homeless |url=https://californiahealthline.org/news/san-francisco-quick-to-fight-covid-19-slow-to-help-homeless/ |access-date=January 19, 2023 |website=California Healthline |language=en-US}}</ref> The following month, he supported the establishment of "safe sleeping sites", including one in his district at an empty lot in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Matier |first=Phil |date=May 27, 2020 |title=Sanctioned SF tent camp riles Haight-Ashbury neighborhood |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/philmatier/article/Sanctioned-SF-tent-camp-riles-Haight-Ashbury-15296399.php |access-date=January 19, 2023 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref> The site included a security guard and access to food and bathrooms.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moench |first=Mallory |date=October 27, 2021 |title=S.F. nixes homeless drop-in center plan for vacant former McDonald's site in Haight |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/S-F-nixes-homeless-drop-in-center-plan-for-16568507.php |access-date=January 19, 2023 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref>
In September 2021, Preston questioned the proposed acquisition of a tourist hotel in Japantown for use as permanent supportive housing.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Moench |first=Mallory |date=October 5, 2021 |title=S.F. is buying three sites for homeless housing. Controversial Japantown hotel isn't yet one of them |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/S-F-is-buying-three-sites-for-homeless-housing-16511552.php |access-date=October 8, 2021 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=September 10, 2021 |title=Preston Calls to Halt Japantown Hotel Conversion to Homeless Housing, Proposes Other Hotel Sites |url=https://sfist.com/2021/09/10/preston-calls-to-halt-japantown-hotel-conversion-to-homeless-housing-proposes-other-hotel-sites/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911232826/https://sfist.com/2021/09/10/preston-calls-to-halt-japantown-hotel-conversion-to-homeless-housing-proposes-other-hotel-sites/ |archive-date=September 11, 2021 |access-date=October 8, 2021 |website=SFist |language=en}}</ref> The acquisition, one of four proposed by Mayor Breed, was opposed by some residents of the Japantown neighborhood, and Preston who represents the neighborhood suggested two other tourist hotels in his district as alternatives.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moench |first=Mallory |date=September 10, 2021 |title=Japantown homeless housing controversy: Supervisor urges city to put brakes on hotel conversion plan |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/Japantown-homeless-housing-controversy-16449072.php |access-date=January 19, 2023 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=Thadani |first=Trisha |date=October 19, 2021 |title=Japantown hotel will not turn into homeless housing, following months of backlash |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/Japantown-hotel-will-not-turn-into-homeless-16546819.php |access-date=January 19, 2023 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref> The owners of the Kimpton Buchanan Hotel backed out of the deal but the Board, including Preston, approved the purchase of the three other hotels in October 2021.<ref name=":10" /> The Board later also approved the purchase of one of the hotels suggested by Preston in February 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Morris |first=J. D. |date=February 2, 2022 |title=After pushback in Japantown, S.F. approves turning nearby hotel into housing for homeless people |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/S-F-approves-spending-34-8-million-to-turn-16823623.php |access-date=January 19, 2023 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Omar |first=Pérez |date=February 2, 2022 |title=San Francisco to purchase Gotham Hotel to house city's homeless |url=https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/san-francisco-to-purchase-gotham-hotel-to-house-citys-homeless/ |access-date=January 19, 2023 |website=KRON4 |language=en-US}}</ref>
==== Positions on housing and zoning ==== {{Undue weight section|date=January 2023}} The ''San Francisco Chronicle'' reports that Preston opposed development plans and legislative proposals that could have housed more than 28,000 people, including affordable housing for nearly 8,500 people, from December 2019 to November 2021.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|last=Knight|first=Heather|date=November 6, 2021|title=S.F. Supervisor Dean Preston invited YIMBYs to look at his housing record. They panned it.|url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/bayarea/heatherknight/article/S-F-supervisor-Dean-Preston-invited-YIMBYs-to-16597021.php|access-date=November 6, 2021|website=San Francisco Chronicle|language=en-US}}</ref>
Preston has argued, "San Francisco is a shining example of the complete and utter failure of the free market to address housing needs."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=May 1, 2019|title=Why San Francisco supervisor candidate Dean Preston is embracing the "democratic socialist" label|url=https://www.salon.com/2019/05/01/why-san-francisco-city-council-candidate-dean-preston-is-embracing-the-democratic-socialist-label/|access-date=August 19, 2020|website=Salon|language=en}}</ref> He has blamed homelessness in San Francisco on "unbridled capitalism."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Brinklow|first=Adam|date=February 7, 2020|title=Don't bother building homeless centers in every neighborhood, says SF homeless official|url=https://sf.curbed.com/2020/2/7/21128648/homeless-navigation-centers-haney-oversight-stewart-kahn|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200209062720/https://sf.curbed.com/2020/2/7/21128648/homeless-navigation-centers-haney-oversight-stewart-kahn|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 9, 2020|access-date=August 19, 2020|website=Curbed SF|language=en}}</ref> He has criticized YIMBYism as "a new face on private market developers' interests."<ref name=":0" /> In 2019, Preston opposed California Senate Bill 50, which would have eased housing construction near public transit, arguing that it was a "developer bill."<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|date=December 17, 2019|title=Wiener calls SF supervisors vote against SB50 a 'sad day'|url=https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/wiener-calls-sf-supervisors-vote-against-sb50-a-sad-day/|access-date=August 19, 2020|website=The San Francisco Examiner|language=en-US}}</ref> In 2019, Preston spoke against the construction of a 186-unit apartment complex because only 20% of the apartments were for affordable housing while Preston wanted 33%.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Dineen |first1=By J. K. |date=June 14, 2019|title=186 apartments to replace Touchless car wash on Divisadero in San Francisco|url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/186-apartments-to-replace-Touchless-car-wash-on-13992038.php|access-date=August 19, 2020|website=SFChronicle.com|language=en-US}}</ref>
Preston is a proponent of rent control.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lamb |first=Jonah Owen |date=October 24, 2016 |title=Housing activist, homegrown fighter duke it out to represent District 5 |url=https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/housing-activist-homegrown-fighter-duke-it-out-to-represent-district-5/ |access-date=August 19, 2020 |website=The San Francisco Examiner |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2021, Preston blocked discussion of a proposal that would have required 50 signatures to invoke the California Environmental Quality Act to block housing projects, rather than just one person complaining.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Knight|first=Heather|date=June 5, 2021|title='Grumpalumps and gadflies': S.F. cafe owner fights to open in vacant Mission District spot|url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/local/heatherknight/article/Grumpalumps-and-gadflies-S-F-cafe-owner-16226515.php|access-date=June 5, 2021|website=San Francisco Chronicle|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Knight|first=Heather|date=May 19, 2021|title=Is proposal to cut S.F. red tape dead? Supporters say even small efforts to tame bureaucracy go nowhere|url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/local/heatherknight/article/Is-proposal-to-cut-S-F-red-tape-dead-Supporters-16186763.php|access-date=June 5, 2021|website=San Francisco Chronicle|language=en-US}}</ref> According to the ''San Francisco Chronicle'', Preston appears "to be one of the supervisors most opposed to building market-rate housing".<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Knight |first1=By Heather |date=January 23, 2021|title=San Francisco is one of California's most conservative cities – when it comes to housing|url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/heatherknight/article/San-Francisco-is-one-of-California-s-most-15891810.php|access-date=January 24, 2021|website=SFChronicle.com|language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2020, Preston delayed a major zoning plan which would have led to the construction of thousands of housing units to the Van Ness/Market Street area of San Francisco.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=July 20, 2020|title=Supervisors delay major rezoning that would add thousands of housing units to 'Hub' area|url=https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/supervisor-seeks-to-pause-hub-plan-for-racial-and-social-equity-analysis/|access-date=August 19, 2020|website=The San Francisco Examiner|language=en-US}}</ref> He called for a "race and equity study" of the project.<ref name=":1" />
Preston also introduced two ballot initiatives approved by voters in the November 2020 election. Proposition I raised the transfer tax rate for property sales valued over $10 million, intended to fund affordable housing. Proposition K authorizes the city of San Francisco to build or acquire up to 10,000 units of affordable housing.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/local-politics/article/Here-s-where-San-Francisco-propositions-stand-15699883.php |title=Here's where San Francisco propositions stand now |last1=Thadani |first1=Trisha |last2=Tucker |first2=Jill |date=November 6, 2020 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |access-date=November 6, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Baldassari |first=Erin |date=October 23, 2020 |title=San Francisco Voters to Decide on New Public Housing – and Taxes to Pay for It |url=https://www.kqed.org/news/11843337/san-francisco-voters-to-decide-on-new-public-housing-taxes |access-date=February 9, 2023 |website=KQED |language=en-us}}</ref> In March 2020, Preston successfully proposed in the Board of Supervisors to appropriate $10 million from the funds raised by Proposition I to fund rent relief and $10 million to fund additional affordable housing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Waxmann |first=Laura |date=March 23, 2021 |title=S.F. supervisors approve $20M in Prop. I revenue for rent relief, affordable housing |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2021/03/23/prop-i-sf-rent-relief-affordable-housing.html |access-date=January 20, 2023 |website=San Francisco Business Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Moench |first=Mallory |date=March 17, 2021 |title=Here's how S.F. wants to spend its $125 million surplus this year |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/local/bayarea/article/Here-s-how-S-F-wants-to-spend-its-125-million-16033397.php |access-date=January 20, 2023 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref> The Board of Supervisors allocated an additional $32 million from the funds for rent relief in late June 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moench |first=Mallory |date=July 2, 2021 |title=San Franciscans to get $32 million for rent relief in last-minute budget deal |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/San-Franciscans-to-get-32-million-for-rent-16283179.php |access-date=January 20, 2023 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref> In November 2021, Preston led a successful proposal to allocate $64 million from Proposition I to fund the Small Sites Program, which subsidizes about half the cost to allow nonprofit organizations to purchase small apartment buildings with residents at risk of displacement.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moench |first=Mallory |date=November 30, 2021 |title=S.F. supervisors set aside $64 million for anti-displacement program. But it might not get spent this year |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/S-F-supervisors-to-set-aside-64-million-for-16663980.php |access-date=January 20, 2023 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref> In June 2022, he fought to secure additional affordable housing funding including $40 million for land acquisition, $20 million for public housing repairs, $10 million for elevator repairs in hotels used to house homeless residents, and $12 million for teacher housing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Morris |first=J. D. |date=June 28, 2022 |title=Mayor Breed reaches S.F. budget deal with supervisors that keeps police hiring plans, boosts affordable housing |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/Mayor-Breed-reaches-S-F-budget-deal-with-17272338.php |access-date=January 20, 2023 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref>
In a committee meeting on the shared spaces program established by the city during the COVID-19 pandemic, Preston supported a two-week delay on voting to make the outdoor dining spaces permanent. His questions on an indefinite extension centered on public access and accessibility.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Dineen|first=J. K.|date=May 26, 2021|title=Mayor Breed says she's battling S.F. supervisors to make outdoor dining parklets permanent|url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/local/article/Mayor-Breed-tells-Supervisors-to-make-parklets-16203119.php|access-date=May 26, 2021|website=San Francisco Chronicle|language=en-US}}</ref>
In March 2021, Preston called for a hearing on housing vacancies, arguing that the focus on building new housing had led to ignoring "the single biggest source of potential housing in San Francisco."<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 16, 2021 |title=Preston calls vacancies 'the single biggest source of potential housing in San Francisco' |url=https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/preston-calls-vacancies-the-single-biggest-source-of-potential-housing-in-san-francisco/ |access-date=April 1, 2021 |website=The San Francisco Examiner |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2022, Preston proposed a ballot measure to tax vacant housing in San Francisco. The tax would apply to owners of buildings with three or more units when at least one of them has been unoccupied for more than six months in one year. The tax exempted vacant single-family homes and two-unit buildings.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Morris |first=J. D. |date=February 8, 2022 |title=Vacant-home tax could appear on San Francisco's November ballot |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/Vacant-home-tax-could-appear-on-San-Francisco-s-16841536.php |access-date=February 8, 2022 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":6" /> Revenue from the measure is earmarked for rental subsidies for low-income seniors and acquiring vacant properties for affordable housing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Walicek |first=Tyler |date=November 30, 2022 |title=San Francisco Has Voted to Tax Corporate Landlords for Leaving Housing Vacant |url=https://truthout.org/articles/san-francisco-has-voted-to-tax-corporate-landlords-for-leaving-housing-vacant/ |access-date=January 21, 2023 |website=Truthout |language=en-US}}</ref> The measure passed with 54% of the votes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dineen |first=J. K. |date=November 14, 2022 |title=S.F. voters approve a tax on vacant residential units |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/S-F-voters-approve-a-tax-on-vacant-residential-17583773.php |access-date=January 21, 2023 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref>
In October 2021, Preston voted against the construction of a 495-unit apartment complex (one-quarter of which were designated as affordable housing) on a parking lot next to a BART station.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|last=Bote|first=Joshua|date=October 27, 2021|title=SF Mayor Breed blasts supes over parking lot housing vote|url=https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/San-Francisco-London-Breed-decries-housing-vote-16569043.php|access-date=October 27, 2021|website=SFGATE|language=en-US}}</ref> Preston said that the construction of the apartment complex on the parking lot was "gentrification."<ref name=":4" />
==== Public bank ==== In January 2021, Preston introduced an ordinance, co-sponsored by five other supervisors, to start the process of establishing a public bank in San Francisco after the 2019 passage of California's ''Public Banking Act''. Preston’s legislation creates a working group to generate a business and governance plan for a public bank to be presented to the Board of Supervisors.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schneider |first=Benjamin |date=January 27, 2021 |title=City Moves Toward Creating First Municipal Bank |url=https://www.sfweekly.com/news/city-moves-toward-creating-first-municipal-bank/ |access-date=January 19, 2023 |website=SF Weekly |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=January 26, 2021 |title=Supe proposes working group to develop business plan for SF public bank |url=https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/supe-proposes-working-group-to-develop-business-plan-for-sf-public-bank/article_13f2a2e9-0b7d-524e-8725-a1ba1a5551f4.html |access-date=January 19, 2023 |website=San Francisco Examiner |language=en}}</ref> The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the ordinance in June 2021<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 15, 2021 |title=SF Supes Approve Plan To Create First Public Bank In U.S. |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/sf-supes-approve-plan-to-create-first-public-bank-in-u-s/ |access-date=January 19, 2023 |website=CBS News |language=en-US}}</ref> and the working group convened for its first meeting in April 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Girling |first=Rick |date=May 18, 2022 |title=A public bank for San Francisco is moving forward, this week |url=https://48hills.org/2022/05/a-public-bank-for-san-francisco-is-moving-forward-this-week/ |access-date=January 19, 2023 |website=48 hills |language=en-US}}</ref>
==== Public transit and transportation ==== A few months after taking office, Preston introduced a resolution opposing proposed fare increases by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA). Preston's resolution introduced in February 2020 called on the SFMTA to avoid fare increases throughout the fiscal year 2021–2022 budget cycle.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sabatini |first=Joshua |date=February 11, 2020 |title=Preston urges Muni to roll back proposed fare hikes |url=https://www.sfexaminer.com/archives/preston-urges-muni-to-roll-back-proposed-fare-hikes/article_185bd9c8-f9a4-5ed3-a40a-c88449766864.html |access-date=January 17, 2023 |website=San Francisco Examiner |language=en}}</ref> The Board of Supervisors approved the resolution in April 2020 and Preston also called on the San Francisco Attorney’s Office to investigate if the proposed fare increase violated California statute forbidding price increases more than 10 percent during a declaration of an emergency. The SFMTA board went ahead with the 12% fare increase a week after.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eskenazi |first=Joe |date=April 22, 2020 |title=Does Muni's 12% fare hike violate price-gouging laws? One supe thinks it does. |url=http://missionlocal.org/2020/04/does-munis-forthcoming-12-fare-hike-violate-price-gouging-laws-one-supe-thinks-it-does/ |access-date=January 17, 2023 |website=Mission Local |language=en-US}}</ref> In response, Preston and Supervisor Aaron Peskin proposed a charter amendment to strip the authority to increase fares from the SFMTA board. An agreement was reached in June 2020 in which the fare increases would be reversed and the charter amendment withdrawn.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Swan |first=Rachel |date=June 11, 2020 |title=Muni rolls back fare increases after pressure from SF supervisors |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/local-politics/article/Muni-rolls-back-fare-increases-after-pressure-15330467.php |access-date=January 17, 2023 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref>
In February 2021, he called for a study into the feasibility of a city-run bike-share program.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rudick |first=Roger |date=February 3, 2021 |title=Kick Lyft out of Bike-share? |url=https://sf.streetsblog.org/2021/02/02/kick-lyft-out-of-bike-share/ |access-date=February 12, 2021 |website=Streetsblog San Francisco |language=en-US}}</ref> In April 2021, Preston and Haney introduced a three-month pilot program for "Free Muni", free public transportation service funded by the city.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Graf |first=Carly |date=April 13, 2021 |title=Supervisors Preston and Haney to introduce legislation to pilot Free Muni |url=https://www.sfexaminer.com/archives/supervisors-preston-and-haney-to-introduce-legislation-to-pilot-free-muni/article_6e9bb13e-2bf6-5f43-9f85-7acdccea1a20.html |access-date=January 17, 2023 |website=San Francisco Examiner |language=en}}</ref> The Board of Supervisors approved the measure on May 25, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McLean |first=Tessa |date=May 25, 2021 |title=SF gets one step closer to free Muni rides this summer |url=https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Free-Muni-pilot-program-passes-SF-supervisors-16203032.php |access-date=January 17, 2023 |website=SFGATE |language=en-US}}</ref> However, Mayor Breed vetoed the measure in late June before the pilot program could begin the following month.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thadani |first=Trisha |date=June 23, 2021 |title=S.F. Mayor Breed vetoes free Muni, but one supervisor says he may take it to the voters |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/local/article/S-F-Mayor-Breed-vetoes-free-Muni-but-one-16263827.php |access-date=January 17, 2023 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref> In December 2021, Preston also proposed a resolution which passed unanimously calling an end to street parking at about 1,000 of the city’s bus stops.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rudick |first=Roger |date=December 2, 2021 |title=San Francisco Vows to End Parking at Transit Stops |url=https://sf.streetsblog.org/2021/12/02/san-francisco-vows-to-end-parking-at-transit-stops/ |access-date=January 17, 2023 |website=Streetsblog San Francisco |language=en-US}}</ref>
==== Public safety and policing ==== In July 2021, Preston was the sole dissenting vote against the city’s budget, citing increases in police spending and a lack of investment in social housing as the reasons for his vote.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 23, 2021 |title=Dean Preston Casts Only Dissenting Vote on City Budget Which Increases Policing and Defunds Social Housing |url=https://sfindependentjournal.com/dean-preston-casts-only-dissenting-vote-on-city-budget-which-increases-policing-and-defunds-social-housing/ |access-date=January 17, 2023 |website=San Francisco Independent Journal |language=en-US}}</ref> He again was the sole dissenting vote on the budget in July 2022, citing the $50 million increase to the police budget.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Morris |first=J. D. |date=July 19, 2022 |title=S.F. supervisors approve $14 billion budget that preserves Breed's police hiring plans |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/S-F-supervisors-approve-14-billion-budget-that-17315801.php |access-date=January 17, 2023 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref>
When the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) requested approval from the Board of Supervisors to allow SFPD to use robots armed with explosives to kill suspects under certain circumstances, Preston was one of three supervisors that voted against the proposal in late November 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Ting |first1=Eric |last2=Regimbal |first2=Alec |date=November 30, 2022 |title=After raucous meeting, San Francisco approves plan for lethal police robots |url=https://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/San-Francisco-approves-lethal-robots-17619556.php |access-date=January 17, 2023 |website=SFGATE |language=en-US}}</ref> After significant backlash from residents, the Board reversed its decision a week later by unanimously approving an amended policy barring SFPD from using robots to kill.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Medina |first1=Eduardo |last2=Oxenden |first2=McKenna |date=December 7, 2022 |title=San Francisco Backtracks on Plan to Allow Police Robots to Use Deadly Force |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/06/us/police-robots-san-francisco.html |access-date=January 17, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=San Francisco bars police from using killer robots, reversing recent vote |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/12/07/san-francisco-killer-robot-cop/ |access-date=January 17, 2023 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref>
==== Other issues and ballot measures ==== Preston introduced ballot measure Proposition H in May 2022 to shift local elections from odd-numbered to even-numbered years in an effort to increase voter participation. Twice as many voters participated in the 2020 presidential election compared to voters in the local elections for mayor, sheriff, treasurer, city attorney, and district attorney in 2019.<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |last=White |first=Marcus |date=July 12, 2022 |title=Breed, SF supe spar over measure mayor calls democratic socialist power grab |url=https://www.audacy.com/kcbsradio/news/local/london-breed-blasts-election-measure-as-socialist-power-grab |access-date=January 21, 2023 |website=KCBS Radio |language=en}}</ref> While a similar bill was voted down in 2008,<ref name=":11" /> Proposition H passed with more than 70% of the votes.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Vaziri |first1=Aidin |last2=Flores |first2=Jessica |date=November 8, 2022 |title=California Election: Where results stand for state propositions and S.F. races |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/election/article/California-midterms-17560968.php |access-date=January 21, 2023 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Personal life == Preston is married.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Green |first=Emily |date=September 25, 2016 |title=London Breed, Dean Preston argue personal, political in race |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/London-Breed-Dean-Preston-argue-personal-9283790.php |access-date=August 19, 2020 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref> He and his wife live in a single-family house in the Alamo Square neighborhood in San Francisco.<ref name=":2" /> The home was valued at $2.5 million in 2024, three times as much as Preston paid for it in 1999.<ref name=":12" /> The family trust of Preston's wife owns several buildings in San Francisco.<ref name=":12" />
He has been on the board of the Alamo Square Neighborhood Association.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Sawyer |first=Nuala |date=February 4, 2016 |title=Dean Preston Announces Run For District 5 Supervisor |url=https://hoodline.com/2016/02/dean-preston-announces-run-for-district-5-supervisor |access-date=August 19, 2020 |website=Hoodline}}</ref> In the early 2000s, he worked to stop fast-food franchises such as Burger King and Domino's from moving into Alamo Square.<ref name=":3" /> Preston owns stock shares valued between $400,000 and $4 million in Apple, Microsoft, IBM and Cisco.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Li |first=Mallory Moench, Roland |date=April 4, 2023 |title=Top S.F. leaders' real estate: Who owns, who rents and who collects rent? |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/breed-supervisors-housing-real-estate-landlord-17871616.php |access-date=November 17, 2023 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 14, 2022 |title=Crypto, Tech Stocks and Expensive Homes: What San Francisco's Elected Officials Own |url=https://sfstandard.com/2022/07/14/property-stock-crypto-sf-mayor-supervisors/ |access-date=November 17, 2023 |website=The San Francisco Standard |language=en}}</ref>
== See also == * List of Democratic Socialists of America members who have held office in the United States
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == {{Commons category}} * {{Official website|https://sfbos.org/supervisor-preston-district-5}} * [http://www.tenantstogether.org/ Tenants Together]
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Preston, Dean}} Category:Living people Category:1969 births Category:21st-century California politicians Category:American civil rights lawyers Category:American people of German-Jewish descent Category:Jewish American people in California politics Category:Bowdoin College alumni Category:Lawyers from New York City Category:Lawyers from San Francisco Category:Members of the Democratic Socialists of America from California Category:People from Greenwich Village Category:San Francisco Board of Supervisors members Category:University of California College of the Law, San Francisco alumni Category:Jews from New York (state)