Endorsements November 2019

SAN FRANCISCO WOMEN’S POLITICAL COMMITTEE PAC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE NOVEMBER 2019 ELECTION

This weekend, our Political Action/Endorsement Committee interviewed candidates and deliberated ballot initiatives at the local level. As the election shapes up, we are encouraged by the quality of the candidates throwing their hats into the ring. After giving candidates and representatives an opportunity to share their thoughts and meet with the committee, we are excited to provide our recommendations below and invite you to vote on Thursday. For our thoughts on certain recommendations, please read our PAC statements below.

Local Candidate Recommendations: 

City Attorney: Dennis Herrera

Public Defender: Manohar Raju

Sheriff: Paul Miyamoto

Treasurer: José Cisneros

Board of Education: Jenny Lam*

Community College Board of Trustees : Ivy Lee

Local Ballot Measure Recommendations: 

Prop A- Affordable Housing Bond: Yes

Prop B – Department of Disability and Aging Services:​ Yes

Prop C – Vapor Products:  No*

Prop D -Traffic Congestion Mitigation Tax: Yes*

Prop E – Affordable Housing and Educator Housing: Yes

Prop F – Campaign Contributions and Campaign Advertisements: Yes

****PLEASE NOTE: SFWPC HAS ALREADY ENDORSED IN THE MAYOR, DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND DISTRICT 5 SUPERVISOR RACES****

Note: Our full membership will vote on measures and candidates for the November 2019 ballot on August 15 at Pause Wine Bar from 6:00pm-8:00pm.

2019 PAC Recommendation Statements: 

Board of Education – Sole Recommendation for Jenny Lam

While SFWPC always seeks to elevate and support women running for office, the SFWPC PAC recommends a sole endorsement of Jenny Lam for Board of Education. We appreciate the passion and ideas of the other two candidates in the race, and hope to see more of them in the future, but Jenny Lam’s education background and extensive experience in coalition building makes her the clear choice for the Board of Education seat.

Prop C- E-cigarettes/Vapor Products Ordinance – No 

SFWPC is happy to stand in solidarity with the US Surgeon General, American Cancer Society, the CDC and WHO in denouncing nicotine consumption in any format for women and children. According to the CDC, more women die of lung cancer than any other cancer in the U.S. Women who use oral contraception as their form of birth control and smoke nicotine are at higher risk of negative health effects like blood clots.  SFWPC is committed to promoting the health and wellness of women.

We are sensitive to the argument that adults should be able to make personal choices that may negatively impact their health, even if others disagree with those choices. We are also sensitive to the argument that it may not be an appropriate role for city government to restrict adult access to harmful, but legal, products.

However, we do believe that city government has a compelling interest in protecting children. In 2018, the membership of SFWPC voted to support Proposition E, which banned the sale of flavored tobacco products citywide. A stated reason for our support was that flavored tobacco products were marketed to look like candy products specifically targeted to children, including e-cigarette products. Proposition E was enacted with over 68% of voters in support of the flavored tobacco ban.

The recent report released by the City’s ballot simplification committee stating that this proposition, if approved by voters, could overturn the e-cigarette regulations in Proposition E and ban the Board of Supervisors from enacting another such ban on flavored e-cigarettes, is alarming. Given their past behavior and marketing campaigns, we find it difficult to believe that JUUL, or any other e-cigarette company, would elect to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products citywide were they not compelled to do so.

Because this proposition was placed on the ballot via circulated petition, it cannot be changed; it must be voted up or down, as it is. The SFWPC political action committee recommends a “no” vote on this measure.

Prop D– Tax on Net Rider Fares Ordinance – Yes 

The SFWPC PAC recommends endorsing Prop D, but not without a few reservations. Without any stipulation as to how companies will come up with this increased business tax, we have a specific concern for the negative financial impact on female riders who depend on these services out of personal safety. We also cannot be sure of the actual effect, if any, it has on its goal for road decongestion. However, the SFWPC PAC does recognize and support SF Muni improvements for women who depend on public transport in the city. We also acknowledge the need for more SF Muni buses and drivers. Therefore, we recommend an endorsement of this measure in hopes that it positively impacts public transport without adverse side effects.