District 11 plays up fight for control of Board of Supervisors
By: Joshua Sabatini
Examiner Staff Writer
October 27, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO — The Excelsior may have felt neglected by City Hall for years, but the race for the District 11 seat on the Board of Supervisors has shined an intense political spotlight on the predominately working-class neighborhood.
Seven seats on the board are up for grabs Nov. 4, and the outcome of those races could shift it more in line with the moderate political agenda of Mayor Gavin Newsom. The board has enjoyed a progressive stronghold during the last eight years.
The overall battle this November between progressives and moderates hoping to sway future political leanings is perhaps best captured in the race for the District 11 seat, which is being vacated by termed-out Supervisor Gerardo Sandoval.
The most closely watched battle is between John Avalos, 44, former legislative aide to Chris Daly — the most controversial and outspoken progressive champion — and Ahsha Safai, 35, a former Newsom staffer who has the mayor’s endorsement. More than $100,000 in independent expenditures has been spent in the race.
Political contributions are following political leanings, with labor backing Avalos and developers backing Safai.
Avalos has raised $58,348 as of Oct. 18, and has the backing of progressive supervisors Ross Mirkarimi and Tom Ammiano, among others. Avalos said the neighborhood remains underserved by The City. “It’s clear we are not getting the kind of attention that we need,” Avalos said.
Safai, who raised $56,007 as of Oct. 18, is endorsed by more moderate supervisors Carmen Chu, Michela Alioto-Pier and Sean
Elsbernd.
Other candidates in the race insist it’s more than a battle between Avalos and Safai. Candidate Randy Knox, 55, a former prosecutor supported by supervisors Sophie Maxwell and Bevan Dufty, has picked up spending power after joining the race late in the game. Knox said he is a “consensus builder” and, unlike Safai or Avalos, is not “closely tied to people who are responsible for some of the gridlock in city government.”
Both Avalos and Safai maintain they are able to work with both sides of the political spectrum.
jsabatini@sfexaminer.com
Top contenders for District 11 supervisor
Candidates and the total contributions to their campaigns, as of Oct. 18.John Avalos
$58,348
Ahsha Safai
$56,007
Randy Knox
$54,689
Julio Ramos
$52,040
Source: Ethics Commission
