Controversial leader of powerful SF political group steps down

After years of stirring controversy and wielding influence in San Francisco politics, the leader of a powerful moderate policy group is stepping down. Jay Cheng said Thursday that he is exiting as executive director of Neighbors for a Better San Francisco — or “Neighbors,” as it’s known in political circles. “It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to help build and lead this organization,” Cheng said in a statement. “I remain deeply committed to advancing pragmatic, centrist, and results-oriented politics that can help our cities thrive.” Since its founding in 2020, Neighbors has been one of the best-funded and most influential pressure groups in local politics. Its donors include conservative hedge fund billionaire William Oberndorf and venture capitalist Steven Merrill. Cheng, long seen as one of the city’s most active and aggressive political operatives, joined the organization in 2020 and helped lead some of its highest-profile efforts, including the recalls of three San Francisco school board members and District Attorney Chesa Boudin in 2022. Neighbors spent about $3 million in 2020, $12 million in 2022, and $10 million in 2024 to back moderate candidates and ballot measures. It was also a magnet for controversy. In the 2024 mayoral race, Neighbors endorsed Daniel Lurie, a newcomer to politics, as well as former mayor Mark Farrell , ranking incumbent London Breed third. However, Cheng and his wife, Kanishka Cheng, the head of another moderate political group, Together SF, faced criticism for being too close to Farrell’s campaign , including helping to vet and hire staffers. Neighbors was fined for violations during the Boudin recall, and past allegations of sexual assault against Cheng resurfaced amid the 2024 election. After Farrell’s defeat, Together SF disbanded and folded into Neighbors, which rebranded as Blueprint. Together SF was backed by Michael Moritz, chairman of The Standard. Lurie, following his election as mayor, distanced himself from Cheng . Other moderate groups have emerged since the pandemic, including GrowSF. Former Together SF staffer Rob Aiavao will serve as interim leader of Neighbors, according to Cheng. Blueprint’s operations will also continue. Cheng said he plans to spend more time with his family and two children. He will remain in his day job as a government liaison for the San Francisco Association of Realtors. “I have every confidence that Neighbors will continue to play a major role in shaping the future of San Francisco and advancing the values that brought us together in the first place,” he said.

Eric Swalwell scandal: All the investigations raining down on the ex-congressman

Eric Swalwell announced his resignation from Congress on Monday, but that’s not the end of the madness — he’s under investigation from so many directions, it’s dizzying. Since last week, Swalwell’s status has dive-bombed from gubernatorial front-runner to disgraced ex-congressman following investigations by the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN that revealed at least two incidents of alleged sexual assault and booze-addled sexual encounters with female staffers and subordinates. Swalwell has not been charged with assault or misconduct. Here is a list of the investigations unfolding since the news broke Friday. Investigation: Sexual assault in New York Status: Ongoing One alleged sexual assault took place in New York, giving the Manhattan district attorney’s office grounds to open an investigation, CNN reported Saturday. “We urge survivors and anyone with knowledge of these allegations to contact our Special Victims Division at 212-335-9373,” the office said. CNN’s story alleged that Swalwell forced sex on a former staffer when she was too intoxicated to consent. Her vagina bled the next day, and she had cuts and bruises, she claimed. Swalwell messaged her the next day on Snapchat, calling the night great. Democratic insiders told The Standard that the former congressman’s Snapchat habits were common knowledge. The violent nature of the alleged assaults, however, shocked some of his closest colleagues. Investigation: Sexual misconduct in Alameda County Status: District attorney’s office is “evaluating ” As a resident of Alameda County, at least on paper , Swalwell’s alleged misdeeds potentially fall under the purview of Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson . Over the weekend, Jones Dickson’s office issued a statement saying the team found the allegations “deeply concerning and disturbing.” The DA’s office is evaluating whether any criminal conduct took place within Alameda County. Investigation: Illegal payments to family nanny Status: Ongoing In a matter seemingly unrelated to the sexual misconduct claims, Swalwell is under federal scrutiny for two separate allegations related to his children’s Brazilian nanny, Amanda Barbosa. As first revealed in the NY Post, a complaint made to the Department of Labor alleges that Swalwell and his wife lied to the federal government to renew Barbosa’s immigration work authorization. The second complaint, made to the Department of Homeland Security, alleges that Swalwell illegally paid Barbosa using campaign funds when she was without work authorization. A U.S. Citizenship and Immigrations Services spokesperson told The Standard, “Federal law prohibits employers from knowingly hiring aliens who are not authorized to work in the United States. No employer, including a member of Congress, is above the law.” The statement added that the Department of Homeland Security would “aggressively enforce statutes to uphold the rule of law and protect American workers.” The misconduct was reportedly alleged by Joel Gilbert , a conservative conspiracy theorist. Investigation: Beverly Hills rape allegations Status: Just beginning Another woman has come forward to allege Swalwell raped her — Lonna Drewes, who was working as a model, and once considered running for Beverly Hills City Council. At a Tuesday press conference, flanked by attorneys, Drewes said she believed Swalwell drugged her before raping her in a hotel room in 2018. Drewes had reached out to Swalwell about Democratic politics and believed they were going to attend a political event that evening. They had drinks together, during which Drewes tried to deflect his romantic advances, the Los Angeles Times reported . Drewes’ attorney, Lisa Bloom, said they would file a police report immediately after the press conference and would provide text messages, photos, and journal entries from the time of the alleged rape. Investigation: Federal mortgage fraud Status: Accusations piling up Another federal investigation is centered around a question that had been dogging Swalwell’s gubernatorial campaign: Where the hell does he live, anyway? Late last year, Swalwell joined three other Democratic officials in facing mortgage and tax fraud allegations from the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, William Pulte. Swalwell sued Pulte, alleging retaliation for Swalwell’s critiques of President Donald Trump, including his role as House impeachment manager during Trump’s second impeachment. Just last month, Swalwell dropped that suit. Pulte referred Swalwell to the Department of Justice, claiming his multimillion-dollar loan documents contained false or misleading statements that designated his Washington home as his primary residence. The DOJ hasn’t returned a request to verify the investigation is ongoing, but the accusations are mounting; last month, the New York Post reported that Swalwell rents a single room in another family’s home in the Bay Area in order to claim eligibility to run for California governor. Investigation: Mistreatment of congressional staffers Status: Likely stalled due to resignation Swalwell left Congress before the axe could fall : The chairman and ranking member of the bipartisan House Committee on Ethics released a statement Monday confirming an investigation into whether Swalwell “violated the Code of Official Conduct or any law, rule, regulation, or other applicable standard of conduct” by sexually assaulting an employee under his supervision. If brought to the House, a majority of members could have voted to expel Swalwell from office. That was looking likely: A bipartisan deal was gaining steam to bounce not only Swalwell but three other lawmakers, including Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales, whose alleged affair with a staffer ended with her death from setting herself on fire. To garner a vote, Swalwell’s misdeeds would’ve been paraded before a national audience — a clear reason to leave. Investigation: Relationship with a “honey pot” Chinese spy Status: Messy Two weeks ago, Trump’s administration ordered the FBI to once again look into the decade-old investigation into Swalwell’s reported relationship with a Chinese spy, according to The New York Times, which cited confidential sources. In 2015, news emerged that the FBI warned Swalwell he was targeted by a suspected Chinese intelligence operative named Christine Fang, also known as Fang Fang. She worked on Swalwell’s campaign and directed an intern in his office. In 2023, the House Ethics Committee concluded an investigation into Swalwell’s ties to Fang, saying it would take no further action into allegations he violated House rules, laws, or standards of conduct. Law enforcement officials told The New York Times last week they were worried the Trump administration would dredge up the FBI’s findings into Swalwell and Fang to smear him on the gubernatorial campaign trail. This page will be updated as investigations emerge and progress.

Swalwell resigns from Congress. What happens next?

Rep. Eric Swalwell resigned from Congress on Monday, three days after explosive accounts of sexual misconduct eroded much of his political support. Swalwell, who had been a front-runner in the California governor’s race, bowed out of that contest Sunday after his endorsements and donations started to collapse over the weekend. His fellow members of Congress had also raised the prospect of removing Swalwell from office. In a statement Monday, Swalwell, who had held his seat since 2013, denied that the accusations levied against him were legitimate but said they were distracting him from his job. “I am aware of efforts to bring an immediate expulsion vote against me and other members. Expelling anyone in Congress without due process, within days of an allegation being made, is wrong. But it’s also wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties. Therefore, I plan to resign my seat in Congress,” he posted on X . “I will work with my staff in the coming days to ensure they are able, in my absence, to serve the needs of the good people of the 14th congressional district.” A vacancy of Swalwell’s congressional seat — which covers Alameda County’s cities of Livermore, Union City, Castro Valley, Hayward, and parts of Dublin and Fremont — allows Gov. Gavin Newsom to call for a special election within 14 days. Newsom may hold off on that. Swalwell had not filed for reelection to Congress, and the winner of the Nov. 3 election will be the new representative for the district in January 2027. Chris Micheli, a Sacramento-based attorney and lobbyist, said he doubted the governor would call for a special election, given that the person elected would serve for such a short time. “I don’t see it likely happening,” he said. Newsom’s office said it would make an official announcement once the seat is officially vacant. The candidates seeking Swalwell’s seat include Democrats Aisha Wahab, a state senator from the East Bay, and Victor Aguilar, Jr., a councilmember from San Leandro. The top two candidates in the June 2 primary will proceed to the Nov. 3 general election. Although a handful of Republicans are running, the district is considered a Democratic stronghold. Swalwell’s career neared its end Friday after The San Francisco Chronicle and CNN published allegations of sexual misconduct involving former staffers. The response from supporters was swift: Powerful unions that had pledged millions to his campaign quickly removed their endorsements, and major Democratic figures like Sen. Adam Schiff and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi urged him to back out of the governor’s race. On Monday, more bad news came for Swalwell as the House Ethics Committee announced it was investigating his conduct. It was not immediately clear how Swalwell’s resignation would affect the probe. Over the weekend, the Manhattan district attorney’s office announced that it would also launch an investigation; the Alameda County DA’s office told The Standard it too is looking into the allegations.

Steyer may surge in governor’s race, courting Swalwell base. Plus: Alameda DA weighs in

This article is from Power Play, a twice-weekly newsletter rounding up the latest City Hall and local politics gossip. To sign up, visit The Standard’s newsletter page . Update 5:36 p.m. : Rep. Eric Swalwell announced on social media that he was suspending his campaign for governor, but did not mention if he would resign his congressional seat. If you’re like us, you’ve been watching with bated breath this weekend over what is going to happen to Rep. Eric Swalwell , who now faces an avalanche of both Democrats and Republicans demanding he drop out of the governor’s race — or resign from Congress. The April surprise of sexual assault allegations against Swalwell has put a flame under what had been an underwhelming and largely unpredictable governor’s race. But that has all changed now with what looks to be an almost certain exit from the contest by the East Bay Congressman — and the rise of Tom Steyer , as data and polling expert Lakshya Jain tells Power Play. “The question is, what can people attack him on in the last 50 days until the primary? It would have to be that he's a billionaire,” said Jain, head of political data at The Argument . “It would have to be through an us versus them campaign, saying he's one of them. He's not one of us. But I don't expect that to work. People liken him to Mike Bloomberg , but Steyer is nowhere near as controversial with Democrats as Bloomberg is.” We caught up with Jain on Sunday morning to talk about where things go from here now that Swalwell’s candidacy appears dead in the water. The interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. Power Play: People were worried about a Democratic lockout. How does that play into the Swalwell news? Lakshya Jain: If Steve Hilton takes 20 to 25%, the other Republican is getting 10 to 15% at most. So what that means for Democrats is, the already slim fear of a lockout has essentially gone to zero, and that candidate who's going to advance on the Democratic side in the top two primary is going to be in all likelihood Steyer, because with Swalwell as a front runner now out, the person next up is going to be who has the highest name recognition. That’s Steyer. PP: What about Katie Porter or Matt Mahan ? LJ: Porter doesn't have enough time on the airwaves, and she's not high profile enough to really break through. Mahan is a candidate who I think exists on Twitter alone. Mahan is the classic candidate that sounds great to postgraduate voters, but doesn't really register with the majority of people, because they don't pay 24/7 attention to politics. PP: Lots of unions are dropping their support of Swalwell. What’s going to happen with those endorsements and does it even matter? LJ: A labor union's endorsement’s impact is two things. One, it is a powerful weapon in a place where the population is overwhelmingly working class clustered within a bunch of small areas and turnout is low. California doesn't really check those boxes. Number two, a labor union’s endorsement is a signal to people saying, go ahead and back this person. That used to be a lot more powerful. This is not the same America in a labor sense, as it was in 1975. A labor union’s endorsement is not a bad thing to have, but it is not going to compensate for [Steyer’s] $100 million on the airwaves. PP: What should people be watching for in the coming weeks? LJ: Look to see where that Swalwell support really goes. This race has become much more high profile now. People have started paying attention all of a sudden. The “don't know” share of Democrats is very, very high. And so I would expect to see that that ceiling of 12 to 15% that all these Democrats have been stuck with starts to break, and someone breaks the 20% mark, and the first person to break that is very, very likely to win the actual primary. — Gabe Greschler SECOND CHOICE MATTERS: With Swalwell under mounting pressure, rival campaigns are moving fast to capture his political base. Billionaire climate activist Steyer, a San Francisco resident and leading contender, sees an opportunity. Friday afternoon, Steyer initially issued a statement supporting Swalwell's victims, then followed up with a strong reaction saying Swalwell “should be nowhere near any position of power” and calling on him to drop out and resign. According to a source inside the campaign, Steyer’s team is actively courting Swalwell’s supporters and endorsers. A notable shift is that Rep. Jared Huffman , the North Bay congressman who had remained undecided before the Swalwell fallout, is now officially backing Steyer. “Tom Steyer has spent his career advancing bold climate action and standing up to Big Oil and special interests that threaten our environment and our future. We need a leader who will take on fossil fuel companies, protect our natural resources, and build a more affordable California,” Huffman said in a statement. Internal polling shared by the Steyer campaign suggests that 31% of Swalwell supporters list Porter as their second choice, and 25% are choosing Steyer. — Han Li Got tips? Send to us at powerplay@sfstandard.com . DEMS IN THE DARK: While it’s not a surprise Democrats pulled their support of Swalwell following the damning allegations, the swiftness did shock even the most jaded of political watchers. One reason behind his meteorically quick collapse: Swalwell gave his personal guarantee to endorsers and state party leaders days before the Chronicle and CNN’s story dropped, when the news was bubbling in vague ways on X and other social media platforms. The New York Times today reported his discussions with endorsers, but Power Play is told he also gave his assurances to top California Democrats, who decidedly were split at their convention in February, and hadn’t endorsed any gubernatorial candidate. Swalwell’s message? Everything’s fine. The news that would come would not be pretty, but everything that would emerge would show he had consensual relationships. As one top Dem insider told Power Play, Swalwell made it clear he had “not actively harmed anyone.” When the news dropped, Democrats weren’t just alarmed at the severity of the allegations — it was clear Swalwell had downplayed just how bad things would be. He broke their trust. Friday at the Democratic National Committee meeting in New Orleans, the executive committee was convening at a tribute to Jesse Jackson when the Chronicle and CNN’s news broke over their phones. Their phones lit up with the news alerts. The crisis immediately started a conversation on the floor to assemble a joint letter calling on him to end his campaign for governor. One of those signatories was Christine Pelosi , who is on the CA DEM executive committee and the DNC executive committee, and a candidate for the state senate. “I was shocked. I had my ’keep hope alive sign,’ I was there to honor Jesse Jackson. And instead, that’s what we were doing,” Pelosi said. “We Californians are going through something right now. To those survivors we think you should be heard and supported. We keep saying this but it continues to be true. We can’t have people abuse power. No one is above accountability. We need to believe women.” “People are burning up the phones saying, ‘who’s next?’” Pelosi said. The remaining gubernatorial candidates need to think hard about what they do next, she added. “If anyone else has anything else, now is the time to let us know.” — Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez ALAMEDA DA WEIGHS IN: The allegations against Swalwell are now drawing scrutiny on both coasts. Chronicle and CNN’s stories indicated a 2024 sexual assault allegation took place at a hotel in New York, prompting an investigation from Manhattan’s prosecutors. Meanwhile, a separate 2019 allegation — following a gathering at a Pleasanton restaurant — may have occurred at a nearby hotel in Alameda County. The Alameda County District Attorney's Office confirmed it is now reviewing the matter. “[We] became aware of recent media reports concerning allegations of sexual misconduct involving Congressman Eric Swalwell,” the office said in a statement. “At this time, our office is in the process of evaluating whether any alleged criminal conduct occurred within Alameda County. We will review and assess all available information to determine what further action can be taken.” — H.L. & Cyrus Farivar CHINESE SPY CASE BACK? This is not the first time Swalwell has been involved in a major scandal. A 2020 report by Axios revealed that suspected Chinese operative Christine Fang, also known as Fang Fang, spent years cultivating ties with rising U.S. politicians, including Swalwell. Fang was also said to have had sexual relationships with two mayors of Midwestern cities. Swalwell cut off contact with her in 2015 after an FBI defensive briefing. Fang later left the U.S. and has not returned. There was no evidence that Fang obtained classified information, nor any indication that Swalwell engaged in wrongdoing or knowingly participated in espionage. Now, with reports that the FBI may revisit or release materials tied to the case, Swalwell has responded with a cease-and-desist letter . It’s unclear what the FBI will do now, given the swift collapse of Swalwell’s campaign, but that decade-old counterintelligence episode may be back in the spotlight. — H.L. OUT OF THE HOUSE: Eight members of Congress said they’d vote to expel Swalwell so far, though that number may change in the coming days, or even hours. They include four Republicans: Reps. Anna Paulina Luna, Byron Donalds, Nancy Mace and Mike Lawler ; and four Democrats, Reps. Huffman , Pramilla Jayapal, Teresa Leger Fernández, and Eugene Vindman. Eight down, 282 to go. A two-thirds majority of members present and voting is required to expel a member of Congress. And the hunt is expanding to other members. In a Fox News interview , Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) said Swalwell should resign and called for House Ethics and criminal investigations. When asked if Swalwell should be expelled, he said yes, but also expanded that remit to Republicans who are similarly accused. — J.F.R.

‘Where there’s smoke, there’s fire’: In Swalwell’s backyard, support is running out

When Eric Swalwell posted a defiant video to social media late Friday night — vowing to stay in the California governor’s race despite mounting sexual misconduct allegations — he was, in effect, speaking directly over the heads of an increasingly skeptical Democratic establishment and toward voters like the ones he has represented for years in the Tri-Valley. And indeed beyond the East Bay, as he hopes to convince California voters that he still has a purchase on the gubernatorial race. Whether those voters are still listening is another question. In Pleasanton, the suburban East Bay city at the heart of Swalwell’s congressional district, a dozen residents interviewed by The Standard reflected a community wrestling with competing instincts. Many have loyalty to a local figure they know, skepticism toward anonymous accusations, and a nagging sense that the threshold for stepping aside may already have been crossed. For some, the calculus was simple. “Where there is smoke, there is fire,” said Tony V., 78, a retired Tracy resident. Jim Ahern, 66, a retired Dublin resident, pointed to the Manhattan district attorney’s inquiry as the detail that tipped his assessment. “He’s going to have to drop out, isn’t he?” Ahern said. “You have to believe women nowadays.” Jason C., 53, a Pleasanton construction worker, framed it in terms of the office itself: “People in public life should be moral examples.” But loyalty, especially local loyalty, proved stickier than the headlines might suggest. Bill G., 91, a Dublin resident who has attended Swalwell events over the years, said flatly that he would not withdraw his support unless Swalwell himself admitted wrongdoing. “Until he says he did it, he stays in,” Bill said. “We all have secrets, you know? I know him. He’s good.” Christine Sevier, 44, who works in senior living and has had professional dealings with Swalwell’s office, said the evidence presented so far — text messages, an STD test — fell short of convincing her. “Politics is dirty,” she said. “Maybe she is being pressured.” Others were less interested in guilt or innocence than in the practical damage the controversy was doing to Democratic prospects in November. “If the noise is loud enough, it becomes the focus of the campaign,” said Mario Briones, 33, an Oakland resident who had come to Pleasanton to shop. “That doesn’t help people.” Joe Cutcliffe, 83, who recently moved to the area, put it more dryly: “Somebody needs to drop out. It sounds like he might have a good excuse.” What was striking, talking to residents in the district Swalwell has called home his entire life, was how few were willing to say, simply, that the allegations didn’t matter. Even those who defended him did so carefully, conditionally, with an eye on the exit. Rekisha Davis, 50, a human resources specialist who said she had tuned out the news since Trump returned to office, learned of the allegations mid-conversation. She was measured but clear. “There are people who are good at what they do,” she said. “But that doesn’t negate what they did.”

Swalwell denies sexual assault allegations as Manhattan DA opens probe

In a brief video posted across his social media accounts on Friday night, embattled California gubernatorial candidate Rep. Eric Swalwell said that the “allegations of sexual assault are flat false, they are absolutely false.” The message came several hours after both the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN published accounts of one alleged instance of rape and other nonconsensual sexual activity involving at least four women. “They did not happen, they have never happened,” Swalwell, a Democrat who represents a large portion of the East Bay, said. “And I will fight them with everything that I have.” CNN also reported Saturday that the Manhattan District Attorney’s office has opened an investigation into the allegation as one of the reported incidents allegedly took place in a Manhattan hotel room in 2024. “We urge survivors and anyone with knowledge of these allegations to contact our Special Victims Division at 212-335-9373,” emailed Danielle Filson, a spokesperson. “Our specially trained prosecutors, investigators, and counselors are well-equipped to help you in a trauma-informed, survivor-centered manner.” Other incidents may have occurred in the East Bay, according to the Chronicle’s reporting. Similarly, the Alameda County District Attorney’s office did not respond on Saturday morning to a request for comment from The Standard. Shortly after Swalwell’s Friday video was published, his attorney, Elias Dabaie, appeared on CNN to say that “the congressman takes accountability for potential lapses in judgment but categorically denies any wrongdoing,” and added that “looking at the facts, I do have to question the credibility of these allegations.” These reports have completely upended this year’s race for California governor. Until this week, Swalwell had been the top Democratic candidate, according to recent polling data from the Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies. California voters are set to go to the polls on June 2 in a primary election. Per state rules, whoever finishes in the top two positions, regardless of party affiliation, will go on to the general election in November. According to that same poll, the two Republican candidates, Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, are ahead. But 16% of respondents also said they were undecided – the same percentage of those who said they would vote for Hilton and Bianco. California has not elected a Republican governor since Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected in 2003 and re-elected in 2006. In his video, Swalwell noted the timing of the claims against him. “[The allegations] also come on the eve of an election where I have been the frontrunner candidate for governor in California,” he continued. “I do not suggest to you in any way that I am perfect or that I am a saint. I have certainly made mistakes in judgement in my past. But those mistakes are between me and my wife. To her I apologize deeply for putting her in this position. I also apologize to you if in any way you have doubted your support for me.” Swalwell concluded the video by saying that he would be spending the weekend with “family and friends,” and said he looked forward to updating the public “very soon.” Many prominent Democrats and other local entities have already spoken out against him or withdrawn their support . On Swalwell’s own campaign website, the entire endorsements page has already been deleted . On Saturday, San Francisco Firefighters Local 798 also yanked its endorsement, saying that the new allegations against Swalwell “cannot be ignored.” “We believe accountability and integrity are non-negotiable, and we will be reassessing the race moving forward,” President Sam Gebler wrote in a statement sent to The Standard.

To protect and prosecute: The tough-love doctrine of Brooke Jenkins

Pelosi, Lurie endorse SF’s lifetime term-limit ballot measure

A controversial San Francisco ballot measure set for the June election has the support of two major figures. Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and Mayor Daniel Lurie are endorsing Proposition B , a charter amendment that would bar supervisors and the mayor from returning to the same office after serving two full terms, the campaign announced Thursday. Under current rules, supervisors and the mayor may serve two terms, sit out one term, then run again. If passed, Prop. B would impose a lifetime ban after two terms. The measure would not apply to other city offices, such as the district attorney, sheriff, school board, or city college board. “We need Prop. B to close the term-limits loophole and support a steady flow of new leadership and ideas in City Hall,” said Lurie, who would be barred from running again if he serves two terms. “This initiative helps encourage new leaders to bring fresh perspectives, innovation, and experience.” Pelosi said she was proud to support the measure to “uphold the principle of leadership transitions.” “San Francisco moves forward when we make space for leadership to evolve,” she said. “At a time when our democracy and vital institutions are under attack, we must continue to lead by strengthening the integrity of our own democratic systems.” After nearly four decades in the House, Pelosi’s endorsement of stricter term limits for local lawmakers is particularly notable amid intensifying debates over term limits in Congress . She voted in favor of the measure at a February meeting of the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee. Other prominent California political figures, including former Gov. Jerry Brown and former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, have opposed the measure. Only one San Francisco official in recent history has returned to office after a break: former Supervisor Aaron Peskin, who served two terms in the 2000s, then won reelection in 2015 and served another two terms. Peskin has been outspoken in opposing Prop. B but has repeatedly said he has no plans to run in 2028. Many of his allies and other former supervisors have joined the opposition , including Sandra Lee Fewer, Norman Yee, Michela Alioto-Pier, Tom Ammiano, Bevan Dufty, and Mark Leno. Some youth advocates have also spoken out against the ballot measure. “Prop. B is a solution in search of a problem,” former Youth Commissioners Leah LaCroix, Lisa Yu, and Rosa Chen said in a joint statement . “Only one San Francisco leader has ever returned to serve after the required break. One person in 34 years. That’s not a loophole — that’s proof the system works.” Campaign finance filings show a significant gap between the two sides. Supporters of Prop. B have raised about $311,750, including a $50,000 contribution from Michael Moritz, chairman of The Standard. The opponents have reported roughly $2,500 .

The aftermath of Sheryl Davis-gate. Plus, David Sacks makes a donation.

This article is from Power Play, a twice-weekly newsletter rounding up the latest City Hall and local politics gossip. To sign up, visit The Standard’s newsletter page . The filing of charges against former Human Rights Commission chief Sheryl Davis and ex-nonprofit exec James Spingola on Monday marks the end of a year-and-a-half-long scandal that shook City Hall — and the beginning of another act that will play out in court. The charges represent the downfall of a once-revered Black leader, Davis, who sought to right past wrongs by injecting tens of millions of dollars into San Francisco’s overlooked communities. While the Dream Keeper Initiative she oversaw lives on through Mayor Daniel Lurie ’s administration, its size and reputation have been diminished by the alleged crimes. The allegations stemming from Davis’s 57-page arrest warrant affidavit are so vast that many of them have yet to be reported. In addition to signing contracts for Spingola’s nonprofit, Collective Impact, while the two lived together, Davis is accused of actively steering contracts its way by influencing scoring panels and through other methods. Additionally, the affidavit says, Collective Impact was paying Davis for a car loan she took out when she ran the nonprofit, highlighting the extent to which her personal finances were intertwined with those of the group. And one of the more odd revelations: The Human Rights Commission paid $7,973 for an unknown person’s funeral at C.P. Bannon Mortuary in Oakland. “While paying for a funeral is a thoughtful gesture that benefits those who knew the deceased, it does not benefit the general public,” the affidavit states. And more charges could be coming. San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins made it clear Monday that her office’s investigation continues, seemingly suggesting that other heads may roll. The Davis-Spingola scandal could have lasting effects on the city’s Black community and the nonprofit world. Rev. Devon Jerome Crawford of Third Baptist Church said he’s hearing concerns that the charges will be used as an argument to further degrade funding for programs that benefit Black San Franciscans. The case coincides with a difficult moment for the city’s finances, with major cuts expected amid a budget deficit, and nonprofit contracts are almost certainly on the chopping block. “The question I am raising to city leadership is, are we going to let this blunder become an excuse to walk away from our commitments to the Black community?” Crawford said. “What an individual does should not punish the future of our children and the well-being of our elders.” Theo Ellington , interim executive director of the Bayview Opera House, one of the groups that lost Dream Keeper funds after questions arose about the program, said the moment is a “punch in the gut” for the Black community. “We have to recover from this,” said Ellington, who is running for the Bayview’s District 10 supervisorial seat. “Just as SF recovers, the Black community is in need of the same energy, focus, and investment as the rest of the city.” — G.G. Got tips? Send to us at powerplay@sfstandard.com . MAN IN THE MIRROR: Breaking news! Saikat Chakrabarti has been endorsed by the Justice Democrats, a group he, uh, cofounded. That didn’t stop him from promoting the endorsement in a campaign email as a “turning point” in the race to succeed Rep. Nancy Pelosi . He got absolutely pilloried on social media for the obvious conflict of interest, but his campaign said the hubbub was warranted. They are “mostly completely different people from when he started the org,” Tiffaney Bradley , Chakrabarti’s campaign spokesperson, wrote in a text. And Justice Democrats spokesperson Usamah Andrabi said Chakrabarti went through rigorous vetting, including interviews with local voters and organizers. “That entire process took months,” he said. There’s little mystery behind Chakrabarti’s excitement: He’s got exactly zero city progressive groups endorsing him, despite touting himself as a progressive leader. Mere months from the June primary, the usual suspects for such endorsements — AFT 2121, SEIU California, and the Harvey Milk LGBTQ+ Democratic Club, among others — are backing Supervisor Connie Chan . The dearth of support for Chakrabarti is no surprise to AjaiNicole Duncan , copresident of the Milk Club, one of the city’s leading progressive groups. Her members snubbed Chakrabarti because they haven’t seen him on the ground organizing in the city, she said. “It was, like, a hard fucking no,” Duncan said. “Excuse my language.” The endorsement snub is another symptom of a larger problem for Chakrabarti, highlighted last week by Politico: He doesn’t have much of a local track record . The news outlet reported that he didn’t vote in San Francisco elections for a decade despite claiming to live here. Chakrabarti instead voted in New York in 2016 and 2018. While local progressive orgs have shrugged off Chakrabarti, two progressive Democrats have endorsed him: Deputy Public Defender Matt Gonzalez and drag queen Peaches Christ . The latter told Power Play that while she likes Chan, Chakrabarti energizes her more. And, she pointed out, once upon a time, another young progressive ran for San Francisco office without much local experience: Harvey Milk , who arrived in the city in 1972 and first ran for supervisor in 1973. “And we can all agree Harvey Milk did something spectacular for his city and represented us, even though Harvey Milk was famously a New Yorker,” Christ said. While that may be true, a review of a 1972 ballot pamphlet shows Milk one-upped Chakrabarti. He had the endorsement of more than 30 San Franciscans. — J.F.R. IN THE SACK: It’s an old San Francisco Democratic saw for leftists and moderates to accuse one another of being/aiding/benefiting from Republicans. But once in a while, a real-deal elephant in a red MAGA hat swoops in and gives the accusation tangibility. Enter David Sacks , who is listed as an officer of various LLCs that donated $5,000 in late February to GrowSF for Change, the PAC of the Lurie-aligned political group GrowSF, according to a recent Ethics Commission filing . Former White House AI and crypto czar Sacks once hosted a $13 million fundraiser for President Donald Trump at his Pacific Heights mansion. LLCs tied to James Kull and Glenn Gilmore , known associates of Sacks, donated $2,500 apiece to GrowSF. So what did that $10,000 pay for? GrowSF for Change reported spending $16,964 on an FM3 Research poll in the same filing, which covers campaign activity from Jan. 1 through March 22. We don’t know what is in the poll, but GrowSF’s priorities often align with the mayor, so take your pick of issues, from charter reform ballot measures to the earthquake bond. Emails between GrowSF and the LLCs reviewed by Power Play show no mention of Sacks, though that doesn’t preclude him from being mentioned in other messages. However, Gilmore is in the email exchange, and he has been identified as playing a role in setting up an exclusive club for Trump royalty. To hear GrowSF tell it, Gilmore didn’t add names to a form related to the donation, and an outside accountant inserted Sacks’ name because he’s an officer in the LLC. “At no point were we made aware that this contribution came from an LLC affiliated with David Sacks,” Steven Bacio , co-founder of GrowSF, said in a statement. ”Had we known, we would not have accepted the donation. GrowSF is proud to be supported by more than 1,000 donors who share our commitment to San Francisco’s values.” Sacks did not reply to a request for comment, but it’s worth mentioning that he’s no stranger to spending on SF politics; he donated tens of thousands to the 2021 Board of Education recall effort, as well as the 2022 effort to reform local recalls. — J.F.R. APRIL 1 RUMOR MILL : A slew of juicy tips came our way on Wednesday, for some reason. Some things we’re hearing: While there’s hubbub over the Commission Streamlining Task Force, supervisors have thought of a solution: They’ll form yet another commission to oversee the task force, which, yes, is in charge of giving the axe to commissions. As we reported on Lurie’s China trip , we’ve learned he’s planning a surprising announcement: The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency will contract with the Chinese government to build a Central Subway extension from Chinatown to Sunset Dunes, along with a high-speed rail line from Bayview to Lands End. We have also confirmed that Pelosi is announcing a 2028 congressional run, as retirement is expected to be boring. And everyone’s favorite former supervisor, Aaron Peskin , will be coming back to run for mayor again. April Fools!

Sheryl Davis faces 19 criminal charges. Her supporters are still ride or die

Sheryl Davis, a once-renowned figure in San Francisco’s Black community who oversaw the distribution of tens of millions of taxpayer dollars in the post-George Floyd era, had her first day in court Thursday after being arrested on a slew of corruption charges. It didn’t stop her from bringing an entourage. More than two dozen supporters crowded the Hall of Justice hallway, and a handful closed in as a phalanx to block photographers waiting to capture Davis’ entrance to court. Davis was in court to enter a plea on 19 charges — including 17 felonies — related to a corruption scheme she allegedly ran as head of the city’s Human Rights Commission. Her codefendant, James Spingola, who has close personal ties with Davis and once led the nonprofit Collective Impact, has been charged with four counts of felony aiding and abetting a conflict of interest in a government contract. Davis pleaded not guilty to the charges. Her attorney Anthony Brass said they “deny all allegations.” Davis’ supporters remain convinced of her innocence. Margaret Brodkin, former director of the Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families, called the allegations against Davis “flawed and distorted.” “James Spingola and Sheryl Davis are two of the most dedicated and skilled service providers, program developers, and community leaders in the city in many decades,” Brodkin said. “Treating them like criminals is itself a crime.” Also showing up in support was Kevin Ortiz, former president of the San Francisco Latino Democratic Club, who was part of the group that surrounded Davis as she entered the court. Ortiz, who has been accused of sexual misconduct , said he was in court in an official capacity as a paralegal for law firm Quadra & Coll, which is representing Davis in civil matters related to the changes. Most of Davis’ cheering squad declined to speak to The Standard. In the packed courtroom, one woman stuck her middle finger at the group of photographers. Others in the room shot dirty looks at reporters. Davis kept her head high during the proceedings and was seen chewing gum. The charges against Davis stem from her involvement in the Dream Keeper Initiative — a signature program of former Mayor London Breed that was managed by the Human Rights Commission — to bolster programming for the Black community and other nonprofits. The Human Rights Commission investigates discrimination complaints, advises the city leadership on civil rights issues, and works to ensure equal access to city services and contracting. It was merged, along with another scandal-ridden agency, the Department on the Status of Women, into the Agency on Human Rights during Daniel Lurie’s first year as mayor. Prosecutors allege Davis sent nearly $8.5 million in Dream Keeper grants — and other city funds — to Collective Impact despite clear conflicts of interest, including that she and Spingola lived together. The charges also allege that Davis’ son reaped benefits from entities that received Dream Keeper Initiative funds. Davis signed contracts for millions of dollars to the nonprofit Homeless Children’s Network, which paid her son more than $140,000 as a contractor between 2021 and 2024. Those payments were for questionable work and were deposited into a bank account held jointly by Davis and her son, according to court documents. Collective Impact also paid $45,000 on payroll, rent, and graduate school tuition for Davis’ son, prosecutors say. Prosecutors say Davis used a combination of city and Collective Impact funds to pay for personal expenses, including a PR firm promoting her personal brand, marketing her children’s book, and flight upgrades. They also allege she spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in city money on tables and VIP admissions to events in Beverly Hills, Martha’s Vineyard, and New York City. She also directed spending through an entity called Megablack, which District Attorney Brooke Jenkins described as a community initiative with no formal nonprofit status, no leadership structure, and no state registration. Funds raised for Megablack flowed into Collective Impact’s bank accounts, and prosecutors allege Davis steered those dollars toward expenses that the Human Rights Commission — as a city agency — would not have been permitted to make, including paying for musicians, banquets, and a wine-tasting event. Brass said Davis has been forthcoming about her role as a city official with nonprofit connections. “I have a lot of questions about the processes within the mayor’s office and the city attorney’s office,” Brass said. “This is a person who was asking for more transparency. She asked to be audited. She actively wanted to give up her power. And she has proactively announced her conflicts of interest. I’m very curious how they have a criminal case based on her conduct.” Representatives of the Human Rights Commission declined to comment. Davis’ tenure at the Human Rights Commission, which she joined in 2016, ended in 2024 after The Standard reported that she had signed off on city contracts worth at least $1.5 million to Spingola while the two were living together. The revelations created a scandal for Breed, who was in the middle of a reelection bid and said she was aware of the “very close” relationship between Davis and Spingola. The district attorney’s office cited The Standard’s reporting in its arrest warrant. Jenkins said $350,000 of misused funds represents a combination of misappropriated Dream Keeper Initiative funds and Proposition Q funds administered through Davis’ department. Jenkins acknowledged that the total could grow as the investigation continues. The investigation involved more than 50 search warrants and a large volume of emails between Davis and third parties. Jenkins said her office received tips through its Public Integrity Unit and determined that there was sufficient basis to open a criminal investigation, which was launched after Davis had left office. Jenkins declined to say whether Breed had knowledge of the alleged misconduct, noting only that charges were filed against those prosecutors believe committed crimes. She didn’t implicate Breed. “We have to hold government actors accountable,” Jenkins added, “certainly when they are abusing the trust of San Franciscans and abusing taxpayer dollars.” Davis’ arrest followed charges levied against other key figures in the San Francisco nonprofit world. Gwendolyn Westbrook , the former head of a homeless services nonprofit, was accused in February of misappropriating more than $1.2 million in public funds. In 2024, another former nonprofit executive, Kyra Worthy, was charged with 34 felonies for the alleged misuse of $700,000 in public funds. On Thursday, Davis left the courtroom as she entered it, surrounded by supporters. She is due to return May 6.

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SF Civil Grand Jury

The Abatement Appeals Board provides a final review process for City permitting decisions. It ensures fair and efficient adjudication of permit-related disputes before an impartial panel. The board holds authority to make binding decisions on appeals concerning notices of abatement.

Abatement Appeals Board

Abatement Appeals Board Commissioner 1

Abatement Appeals Board Commissioner 2

Abatement Appeals Board Commissioner 3

Abatement Appeals Board Commissioner 4

Abatement Appeals Board Commissioner 5

Abatement Appeals Board Commissioner 6

Abatement Appeals Board Commissioner 7

The Access Appeals Commission provides final reviews for a wide range of City permitting decisions. It ensures an efficient, fair, and expeditious permit issuance process through an impartial panel. The commission holds authority to make binding decisions on appeals related to City permits.

Access Appeals Commission

Access Appeals Commission Commissioner 1

Access Appeals Commission Commissioner 2

Access Appeals Commission Commissioner 3

Access Appeals Commission Commissioner 4

Access Appeals Commission Commissioner 5

The Adult Day Health Care Planning Council advises on the development and improvement of adult day health care services. It provides expertise in healthcare planning, policy recommendations, and program evaluation. Key responsibilities include assessing community needs and advising on service delivery enhancements.

Adult Day Health Care Planning Council

Adult Probation Department supervises individuals on probation and facilitates their reintegration into the community. It provides reentry and rehabilitative services, including victim restitution and financial assistance for crime victims. The department values public safety, offender rehabilitation, and community partnerships.

Cristel Tullock

The Advisory Committee of Street Artists and Crafts Examiners evaluates arts and crafts applicants and monitors program compliance. It conducts studio visits and public screenings to ensure adherence to established criteria. Members also revise program criteria and undertake additional tasks as needed.

Advisory Committee of Street Artists and Crafts Examiners

The Advisory Council on Human Rights advises on anti-discrimination laws and racial equity initiatives. It provides expertise on reparations and public policy impacts on Black communities. It guides efforts to establish partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities in San Francisco.

Advisory Council on Human Rights

San Francisco Airport manages air traffic operations and ensures safe aircraft movement. It provides parking facilities and maintains airport infrastructure to accommodate travelers and staff. The department oversees ground transportation and coordinates with airlines for efficient passenger services.

Mike Nakornkhet

The Airport Commission oversees policy and strategic planning for San Francisco International Airport. It makes key decisions on airport development projects and financial management. It ensures compliance with regulations and collaborates on initiatives like terminal naming.

Airport Commission

Airport Commission Commissioner 1

Malcolm Yeung

Jose F. Almanza

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Susan Leal

Airport Director

Animal Care and Control Department manages animal sheltering, adoption, and emergency response services. It enforces animal-related laws and regulations, ensuring the humane treatment and safety of animals. The department also provides public education on responsible pet ownership and animal welfare.

Animal Care and Control Department

Virginia Donohue

Animal Care and Control Department, Director

The San Francisco Arts Commission oversees the integration of arts into city life and ensures public access to cultural experiences. It makes decisions on public art programs and allocates grants to support local artists and performances. The commission actively shapes policies affecting the arts ecosystem in San Francisco.

Arts Commission Commissioner 1

Arts Commission Commissioner 2

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Debra Walker

Suzanne Ferras

Jessica Rothschild

Seth Brenzel

JD Beltran

Marcus Shelby

J Riccardo Benavides

Nabiel Musleh

Charles (Chuck) Collins

Lydia So

Arts Commission Commissioner 15

San Francisco Arts Commission invests in a vibrant arts community and shapes cultural policy. It enlivens the urban environment through public art programs and supports diverse artistic expressions. The commission facilitates meetings and discussions to engage the community in cultural development.

Ralph Remington

Arts Commission, Director of Cultural Affairs

The Asian Art Commission determines policy and administers the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. It oversees museum operations and collaborates with the Asian Art Museum Foundation on fundraising efforts. Commissioners ensure the museum's strategic direction and financial sustainability.

Asian Art Commission

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Asian Art Commission Commissioner 26

Asian Art Commission Commissioner 27

Asian Art Museum showcases Asian art and culture through exhibitions and educational programs. It offers diverse collections and hosts special events to engage the community. The museum fosters cultural appreciation and understanding by providing access to its extensive art collections.

Dr. Soyoung Lee

Asian Art Museum, Director

The Assessment Appeals Board #1 hears property tax assessment appeals in San Francisco. It evaluates evidence presented by taxpayers and the Assessor to determine property values. The Board has the authority to make final decisions on assessments regardless of property type or value.

Assessment Appeals Board #1

Assessment Appeals Board #1 Commissioner 1

Assessment Appeals Board #1 Commissioner 2

Richard Lee

Stephen Wasserman

Adena Gilbert

Paul Bellar

Quirina Mitchell

Hilary Winslow

The Assessment Appeals Board #2 adjudicates property tax assessment appeals for San Francisco taxpayers. It evaluates evidence presented by taxpayers and the Assessor to determine accurate property values. The Board exercises authority to render final decisions on residential properties and specific real estate assessments.

Assessment Appeals Board #2

Assessment Appeals Board #2 Commissioner 1

Assessment Appeals Board #2 Commissioner 2

Assessment Appeals Board #2 Commissioner 3

Claire Ervin Lee

Louisa Mendoza

Joyce Lewis

Nicholas Goldman

Michelle Domingo

The Assessment Appeals Board #3 provides a platform for San Francisco taxpayers to contest property tax assessments. It conducts hearings where evidence from both taxpayers and the Assessor is evaluated. The Board makes binding decisions on property assessments based on presented evidence.

Assessment Appeals Board #3

Assessment Appeals Board #3 Commissioner 1

Assessment Appeals Board #3 Commissioner 2

Assessment Appeals Board #3 Commissioner 3

Marc Dickow

Assessment Appeals Board #3 Commissioner 5

Assessment Appeals Board #3 Commissioner 6

Assessment Appeals Board #3 Commissioner 7

Assessment Appeals Board #3 Commissioner 8

Assesses property, applies exemptions, collects transfer taxes, and records official documents.

Assessor-Recorder

Joaquín Torres

The Ballot Simplification Committee ensures voter materials are clear and understandable. It reviews and revises ballot language to accurately reflect propositions and measures. The committee advises on simplifying complex legal and technical terms for voter comprehension.

Ballot Simplification Committee

The Bayview Hunters Point Citizens Advisory Committee provides policy advice on planning and land use matters in Zone 2 of Bayview Hunter's Point. It offers expertise in land use policies, zoning issues, and urban development. The committee advises the Board of Supervisors, City Boards, and commissions on relevant projects and initiatives.

Bayview Hunters Point Citizens Advisory Committee