Preston a better choice

By Rhys Hedges | SF Chronicle | November 13th, 2024

Regarding “Supervisor Dean Preston concedes to Bilal Mahmood in S.F.’s District 5 supervisor race” (Election, SFChronicle.com, Nov. 10): Bilal Mahmood’s win for District 5 supervisor is an indictment of the disastrous effects of out-of-city and out-of-state billionaire interference in San Francisco elections. 

Supervisor Dean Preston has drawn the ire of Elon Musk and other out-of-touch billionaires while engendering support from the heart of San Francisco: working-class residents, tenants and our most vulnerable populations. 

Mahmood has proven himself to be completely out of touch with the real concerns of District 5 residents. He has lied about his experience, committed campaign ethics violations and touted harmful and unpopular policies unlikely to be received well by the people of District 5. 

This incompatible match between a supervisorial candidate and district shows the power of money in elections. Mahmood’s campaign received $300,000 from GrowSF, a group with unlimited reserves of dark money. 

As San Franciscans, we should no longer tolerate billionaire donors thinking they can buy our elections. Preston ran a grassroots campaign without taking billionaire money, and his strong showing indicates that he is the true choice of District 5 residents.