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.

‘We’re in really crazy territory’: Swalwell bombshell could upend the governor’s race

For the longest time, California’s 2026 governor’s race struggled to capture the attention of Democratic voters. With Kamala Harris and Sen. Alex Padilla deciding to sit out, the field was left to a fragmented roster of lesser-known Democrats who failed to generate much excitement. But that changed dramatically Friday when The San Francisco Chronicle published allegations by an anonymous former staffer for Rep. Eric Swalwell, a candidate for California governor, claiming that her boss had twice sexually assaulted her at a time when she was too intoxicated to consent. The woman worked for Swalwell between 2019 and 2021. Swalwell, who is married and has three children, sent photos of his genitals to the younger staffer on Snapchat and pursued her sexually, the report alleges. Swalwell told The Chronicle, “These allegations are false and come on the eve of an election against the frontrunner for governor.” In response to the claims, Swalwell’s attorney sent a cease-and-desist to the accuser’s lawyer and raised the possibility of a defamation suit, according to The Chronicle. The revelations come after weeks of speculation spread across social media and cable news suggesting that Swalwell, the leading Democratic candidate, was about to face allegations from former staffers of improper conduct. The revelations are likely to reshape a race that was already finely balanced. Experts suggest that candidates Katie Porter and Tom Steyer stand to gain most directly from any collapse in Swalwell’s support — through a redistribution of votes, labor endorsements, and donor money — while Republicans, particularly Steve Hilton, may benefit from a Democratic field thrown into disarray at a critical moment in the campaign. Christian Grose, professor of public policy at USC, noted that Democratic voters — women in particular — are statistically more likely to take assault claims seriously than their Republican counterparts. Porter spoke up earlier this week about rumored allegations, which could carry weight with the voters most likely to be moved by the news, Grose told The Standard. “The Democrats take harassment allegations more seriously than Republicans, and women more than men. If you think of Democratic women voters, this can really hurt a Democratic candidate.” Prediction markets, which have become leading indicators of where a race may be heading, had already begun to reflect improved prospects for both Steyer, a Democrat, and Hilton. Kim Nalder, professor of political science at Sacramento State, who tracks those markets, noted a significant swing since the allegations began to get traction this week. “It shows that people who are watching and putting their money on it are taking these allegations seriously and thinking they are damaging,” she said. On Kalshi, a prediction market where traders stake money on electoral outcomes, the shifts have been dramatic. On April 4, Swalwell led the field with a 67% implied probability of advancing from the primary — a figure that reflected his status as the clear Democratic front-runner. Within minutes of Friday’s report, his probability had collapsed to 17%. Hilton, meanwhile, rose from 59% to 82%, while Steyer climbed from 26% to 60%, suggesting that markets see him as the primary beneficiary of Swalwell’s weakness. (These contract prices, effectively old-school betting odds, reflect what traders collectively believe the likelihood of each outcome to be.) If Swalwell’s polling numbers collapse (in line with the prediction markets), which of the remaining candidates are likely to benefit? Eric Schickler, co-director of the Institute of Governmental Studies at UC Berkeley, suggests that while the race remains unpredictable, Porter and Steyer are in the strongest position to capitalize on any drop in support for Swalwell. “All three of them are essentially mainstream liberal progressive Democrats,” Schickler notes. “The logical thing would be for one of them to benefit.” However, if one of the competing campaigns is seen to have effectively driven the allegations into the public domain, there might be unintended consequences. One seasoned political strategist, speaking anonymously, told The Standard, “We’re in really crazy territory here. We know these stories aren’t coming organically. They are coming from the other campaigns. If a connection is drawn to one of those other campaigns … that could also hurt them.” The race’s peculiar dynamics make any fallout hard to predict. But the volatility arrives at a moment of maximum peril for the Democratic Party. Recent polling from the California Democratic Party shows two Republicans — Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco — in the lead, tied at 14%. Meanwhile, the Democratic vote is atomized across more than a dozen candidates, with Swalwell, Porter, and Steyer routinely polling between 10% and 12%. That a candidate with Swalwell’s national profile and significant labor backing has struggled to decisively break away from a crowded field speaks to the broader problem: There is no compelling Democratic figure in this race. As Schickler put it, California has “an awful lot of credible candidates, but none of them just stand out above the rest — and that’s just not a good combination in a top-two state.” (The top two vote-getters in the June primary advance to November’s general election, irrespective of party.) The fallout will likely go beyond votes and polling figures, since money and endorsements committed to Swalwell are likely to be in play given the seriousness of the accusations against him. Endorsements are one of the key factors, said Nalder: “Labor endorsements in California often make the difference in a primary — especially public employee unions.” Rob Stutzman, a veteran Republican strategist, said he recently asked an unnamed labor leader what would happen to Swalwell’s labor endorsements if damaging revelations were to surface. The answer was unambiguous: If Swalwell collapses, “you move on to the next candidate” — and that candidate, in the labor leader’s assessment, would be Porter. Steyer, meanwhile, has a different advantage: money. While rivals spend considerable time on fundraising calls, Steyer’s self-funded campaign has been blanketing the airwaves, building name recognition in a field where most voters still can’t identify the players. “He’s the only one who has the resources to communicate and run a real campaign,” said Steven Maviglio, a Democratic consultant. That financial firepower means Steyer is uniquely placed to amplify the Swalwell story directly to voters, should he choose to do so. The Republican dimension adds another layer of complexity. President Donald Trump’s endorsement of Hilton has effectively consolidated the GOP vote, making him the near-certain Republican finalist. The more fragmented the Democratic vote becomes, the more the door opens, at least slightly, for a Democratic shutout in the top two. Schickler acknowledged the possibility directly: “If Swalwell’s support were to fragment among the other candidates four or five ways, that opens the door a crack for Bianco — and a Democratic shutout, which I think is much less likely with Trump endorsing Hilton but wouldn’t be out of the question.” Grose sees a significantly weakened Swalwell, combined with Democrats continuing to split the vote, making a two-Republican outcome “possible,” he added. For now, however, most analysts believe that a Trump-endorsed Hilton would face an insurmountable headwind in a general election against any credible Democrat, especially in what is shaping up as a strong Democratic year nationally. What is clear is that a race that has lacked oxygen since its inception has suddenly had an injection of attention. In some cases, unwelcome attention.

Rivals, Pelosi urge Swalwell to drop out of governor’s race amid assault accusations

After the bombshell sexual assault allegations against Rep. Eric Swalwell, top Democrats and his rival candidates called for him to drop out of the California gubernatorial race and resign from Congress. In a San Francisco Chronicle report, a former staffer for the East Bay congressman claims that he pressed himself on her sexually while she was in his employ and had sex with her twice while she was too intoxicated to consent. “The young woman who has made serious allegations against Congressman Swalwell must be respected and heard,” Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi said in a statement. “This extremely sensitive matter must be appropriately investigated with full transparency and accountability.” Pelosi added that she told Swalwell, “It is clear that [this] is best done outside of a gubernatorial campaign.” San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, a Democrat running to lead the state, was among the first to call on Swalwell to drop out. “To the survivor who risked everything to come forward — I believe you,” he posted on X. “To the Democratic Party — you’d better hold him accountable. If we don’t, we have no credibility asking anyone else to do the same.” Betty Yee, the former state controller and another gubernatorial candidate, called on Swalwell to resign. “He needs to withdraw from the governor’s race and resign from Congress, immediately,” Yee said. “Let the women speak.” State Superintendent Tony Thurmond also called on Swalwell to resign. Billionaire Tom Steyer, another candidate, applauded the accuser for speaking out. “At a moment like this, we must make sure that women are heard and justice is pursued,” Steyer said. Former Rep. Katie Porter praised “the courageous women who have come forward to share their stories.” “We believe you, and we stand with you,” the candidate said. Steve Hilton, a leading Republican candidate for governor, said the California Democratic Party has “become a corrupt, failing embarrassment, collapsing into chaos, sleaze, and scandal.” He accused powerful labor unions of effectively running the party and selecting Swalwell as their “puppet,” alleging that they were aware of the accusations long before the report. “That’s why we will defeat them in November,” Hilton said. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco , a Republican candidate, also said Swalwell should resign from Congress and drop out of the race. Even if Swalwell decides to withdraw from the race, his name will appear on the June ballot, which will be sent to voters in early May. San Francisco Democratic Party Chair Nancy Tung, who supported Swalwell during the state convention endorsement process, described the allegations as “shocking” and “very serious.” “It’s very damaging to his campaign. Women should be believed. It’s hard to reconcile,” Tung said. She added that the party adopted a policy last year in response to a series of sexual misconduct incidents in political spaces. The new code of conduct addresses sexual harassment and aims to ensure that political environments are as safe as possible.

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 .

Trump endorses Hilton for gov; here’s what the ex-Fox host told us about the race

President Donald Trump has endorsed former Fox News host Steve Hilton in the California governor’s race, throwing his support behind the British-born conservative commentator as no front-runner has emerged in the crowded contest. Trump announced the endorsement Sunday night on his Truth Social platform, praising Hilton as “a truly fine man” and pledging federal assistance if Hilton wins the governorship. “Steve can turn it around, before it is too late, and, as President, I will help him to do so,” Trump wrote. “Steve Hilton has my COMPLETE & TOTAL ENDORSEMENT.” In endorsing Hilton, Trump bypassed another Republican, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, who has been polling well. Trump’s involvement could scramble what many analysts had anticipated would be a competitive jungle-primary dynamic between Hilton and Bianco. Under California’s system, the top two vote-getters in the June 2 primary advance to the November general election, raising the prospect that the two Republicans could face off in the fall. Hilton took a measured stance on a Trump endorsement when speaking to The Standard last week. “I’d be honored to have it,” he said, “but I haven’t spoken to the president about it.” He acknowledged that the Trump administration had bigger issues to deal with than the governor’s race. “We’re very low on their priority list,” he said. Hilton suggested that Trump’s support could motivate GOP voters who normally don’t see a chance for their party to win in California. “It’s something that I think would help energize the Republican vote, and in a midterm election, it’s all about turnout.” Voter registration in California strongly favors the Democratic Party. In Dec. 2025, 45% of voters registered as Democrats and 25% as Republicans, according to state figures. Almost 23% chose no party preference, and more than 7% were affiliated with smaller groups such as the American Independent Party and Green Party. Trump’s endorsement could consolidate the GOP vote ahead of June’s primary — but in a state that hasn’t elected a Republican governor in nearly two decades, winning over independents remains the real challenge, as turnout by registered Republicans alone would not be enough to get Hilton over the line. The Democratic candidates are Rep. Eric Swalwell, former Rep. Katie Porter, businessman and philanthropist Tom Steyer, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, former state Controller Betty Yee, and state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. Hilton, 46, was a director of strategy for former British Prime Minister David Cameron and cofounded a crowdfunding platform before hosting Fox News’ “The Next Revolution” from 2017 to 2023. He has positioned himself as a populist conservative aligned with Trump’s movement and has campaigned on eliminating income taxes for those making less than $100,000, loosening regulations that he asserts hamper economic growth, and pulling back on government spending. A poll on the governor’s race conducted by the University of California Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies found Hilton leading the pack, with 17% of voters favoring the Republican candidate, and Bianco at 16%. Sixteen percent of voters didn’t have a preference; Porter and Swalwell followed, both with 13%. Hilton predicted that his Democratic opponents would use any endorsement from the president as a weapon: “They will just go to Trump — that’s the argument, that’s the election campaign.” Bianco, the Riverside County sheriff since 2019, has cultivated a national profile through his outspoken opposition to the state’s sanctuary policies and COVID-19 mandates, as well as his recently paused probe into alleged 2024 voter fraud, hinging on ballots seized by a Superior Court judge, that has drawn lawsuits from state Attorney General Rob Bonta and a voting-rights group. On Sunday, Hilton’s X account reposted images of Trump’s endorsement. Republican strategist Mike Madrid said Trump’s endorsement will likely prove decisive in the primary. “It’s going to be, if not determinative, pretty darn close in getting to the top two,” said Madrid, a longtime critic of Trump who cofounded the Lincoln Project. He dismissed suggestions that the endorsement came as a surprise, saying those caught off guard simply do not understand how campaigns work. “To think it wasn’t going to happen is elementary,” he said. The counterargument is that Trump’s endorsement could be the catalyst Democrats have needed. Democratic strategist Steve Maviglio called Trump’s endorsement of Hilton “great news for our party,” arguing that it will likely prevent the split Republican vote that could have sent two GOP candidates to the November general election. Maviglio doesn’t believe either Republican candidate has broken through with most California voters. “I’ve been skeptical because I don’t think most people have focused on it outside the Sacramento bubble,” he said, adding that none of the candidates has strong name recognition.

Governor candidate Steve Hilton thinks no one under 16 should have a smartphone

Steve Hilton is running to be the leader of a state where technology companies fuel a red-hot $4 trillion economy. But don’t let the British accent and buttoned-up appearance get you thinking he’s the Jony Ive of politicians, because Hilton, a Republican candidate for California governor , can’t stand smartphones — especially in the hands of children. In an interview Thursday at The Standard’s office, Hilton described his vision of a world where children under 16 do not have smartphones — a world he says is possible despite his skepticism toward regulating AI and other technologies. Hilton’s views come as Gov. Gavin Newsom this week signed a first-of-its-kind executive order on AI regulation . Late last month, state lawmakers introduced legislation on chatbots. But pressed on how Gov. Hilton would achieve a phoneless future for our children, he was short on specifics. He said he would not use legislation or regulation to get there — at least not initially. Asked what the penalty would be for a child under 16 having a smartphone, he replied: “Nothing.” He would start, he said, with the bully pulpit — using the governor’s platform to shift social norms, rather than reaching for the statute book. The comments came after Hilton was asked directly about the case of the Raines family from southern California, who allege that their teenage son was encouraged by an AI chatbot to take his own life. Chat logs from the conversations, which became public during ongoing litigation, showed the chatbot telling the boy not to share their exchanges with his parents. Asked how he would respond to parents like the Raines, Hilton declined to engage with the specific claim. Instead, he redirected the conversation to his broader argument about devices. “I think one of the mistakes that’s being made when it comes to the whole area of kids and AI and tech generally is to focus on the apps and the platforms rather than the device,” said Hilton. “I think the real problem is you’ve got kids with uncontrolled access to all of this in their pocket, unsupervised by anyone, and I think that is the problem. And so none of the stuff I hear around child safety or anything that’s proposed in the Legislature or being done in Australia or anywhere else, to me, addresses that.” Hilton, who was an adviser to former British Prime Minister David Cameron and a Fox News host, is hoping to flip Democrats’ grip on California politics and become the first Republican elected governor since 2003. He is running on eliminating taxes on incomes of less than $100,000, reining in government spending, and loosening up regulations that he argues hamper the growth of small businesses. Polling shows that Hilton has a following in California, leaving some Democrats worried that he and the other Republican challenger, Sheriff Chad Bianco, could be the two winners in the June 2 primary. Hilton is known as a Luddite when it comes to technology. In his 2015 book “More Human,” he wrote about his opposition to children owning smartphones. In 2021, he stated in a Fox News segment that children are “so obsessed with their phones that they are shutting out the real world.” He told The Standard, “I think there’s a real danger that politicians who really don’t understand the technology try and micromanage it in a way that has counterproductive and unforeseen negative consequences. So I’m very skeptical of the whole AI regulation approach.” So, what would he like to do in lieu of installing guardrails? That part remains fuzzy. “I’m not proposing an action,” he said. “I’m describing what I’d like to get to. … I generally am very skeptical of regulation, legislation, all this stuff. They churn out all these rules, so that’s why I resist the word ‘ban.’ But that’s what I’d like to get to, is a place where no kids have a smartphone.” Hilton’s reluctance may place him at odds with a shifting public mood. On the question of protecting children from social media and AI harms, a parent-led movement has generated something rare in Washington: genuine bipartisan agreement. Republican and Democratic senators have co-sponsored legislation targeting chatbot sycophancy and social-media age limits. Australia’s landmark under-16 social-media ban, passed in late 2025, was followed by similar laws in Malaysia, Indonesia, Portugal, and Spain, and there are growing movements across the U.S. and beyond for in-school phone restriction. Against that backdrop, Hilton’s position — that social norms, rather than law, should do the work — is a radically different approach. It’s a world that Hilton is familiar with. He hasn’t had a smartphone for years, and even though he’s running for one of the most powerful U.S. public offices, he has decided to stick with the old-fashioned flip phone. If he becomes governor, will that change? No chance, he said.

Supervisor Jackie Fielder in the hospital; City Hall hangs in the balance

Supervisor Jackie Fielder is in a hospital in San Francisco following major turmoil in her office and her absence from public meetings for the past two weeks. Fielder told a reporter from The Standard that she was available to speak in person at the hospital. A hospital security guard confirmed that Fielder was in the facility but would not allow the reporter to enter. The Standard has no confirmation of her condition. Fielder has told multiple people that she plans to resign. As of 4:30 p.m. Friday, the Board of Supervisors clerk had no documentation of Fielder’s resignation. A legislative aide shared a statement from Fielder’s office: “Jackie Fielder is going through an acute personal health crisis right now and we are not at liberty to share details, but we appreciate the support people have given us and are proud of her for taking care of herself.” Considered the most left-leaning member of the board, Fielder is known for her advocacy for public banking, tenant protections, and opposition to corporate interests and President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration policies. This month, she called for an audit of the Sheriff’s Department . Should Fielder’s seat be vacated, the ideological balance of the Board of Supervisors would likely shift, empowering Mayor Daniel Lurie, with whom Fielder often sparred. The mayor would be able to appoint as supervisor a moderate who aligns with his policies on public safety and homelessness and would shield his legislation against vetoes from the board, which requires a supermajority. The rebalance of power would also put more pressure on the 2026 Board of Supervisors elections, where money is already flowing from special interests. “I am sending Supervisor Fielder my best wishes for a speedy recovery. She is a dedicated advocate for her community,” Lurie said in a statement. “I am encouraging everyone to give her the time and space to get better so she can do that work fully.” Anya Worley-Ziegmann, a progressive organizer known for their work with the People’s Budget Coalition and the local Democratic Socialists of America chapter, said Fielder is a key figure in the progressive movement. “It’s hard to put into words what Jackie’s candidacy and time in office means to working-class San Francisco,” Worley-Ziegmann said. “[It’s] always about the movement that she represents.” A progressive who won election in 2024, defeating moderate candidate Trevor Chandler, Fielder represents the Mission, Bernal Heights, and Portola. She ran for state Senate in 2020 but lost to incumbent Scott Wiener. Fielder’s office has seen tumult following a city attorney’s investigation into a reported leak. Feng Han’s employment as an aide in the office ceased March 12, according to the city clerk. Fielder excused herself from at least four board and committee meetings this month, records show. In a statement, City Attorney’s Office spokesperson Jen Kwart wished Fielder a quick recovery. “Our thoughts are with Supervisor Fielder,” Kwart said, “And (we) encourage her to take the time and space necessary to thoroughly consider any potential resignation.” A graduate of Stanford University, Fielder was involved in activism before becoming a supervisor, campaigning against the Dakota Access Pipeline, an oil pipeline that sparked protests during construction. Fielder taught classes at San Francisco State University from 2018 to 2020. She also served as a commissioner and vice chair of the San Francisco Local Agency Formation Commission and was co-director of Stop the Money Pipeline, a campaign that aimed to push back on money going to fossil fuel companies. During the 2024 race, Fielder handily beat her main opponent, Chandler, who ran a moderate campaign.

PST: Why SF’s crime rate has plummeted — and who’s taking credit

4,324 contacts. 236 lobbyists. One very busy City Hall

Who was the most-lobbied San Francisco official in 2025? If you guessed Mayor Daniel Lurie, you chose wrong. It was San Francisco Airport Director Mike Nakornkhet and his staff, who were contacted more than 400 times — almost all by lobbyists for one company: Waymo. That includes 30 times on just one day in November, as the autonomous vehicle maker was pushing to get its robotaxis into SFO. We took a peek inside 2025 Ethics Commission data to better understand the $13.4 million City Hall influence apparatus. San Francisco’s lobbying machine is especially active, insiders say, because of the city’s political prestige and bureaucratic friction. It’s a city for the politically ambitious where it’s also notoriously difficult to get anything done. For comparison, on the other side of Silicon Valley, San Jose had fewer than one-third as many registered lobbyists as San Francisco had last year. San Francisco officials were contacted 4,324 times by lobbyists in 2025, or nearly a dozen times every day. Nearly 40% of those contacts — 1,720 — were related to building permits. Transportation came next, with 955. Human rights ranked last, with only three contacts. Companies large and small rely on lobbyists. The eight-location gym chain SF Fitness hired one who spent all of last year trying to secure building permits for a location at 1600 Jackson St. in Nob Hill, contacting city officials 113 times. Meanwhile, Two Sigma Investments, a $70 billion New York hedge fund, reached out to the San Francisco Employees’ Retirement System no fewer than 99 times — not to influence legislation but to pitch a pension fund investment. For businesses that can afford it, lobbying can feel like a capitalist’s dream. While roughly 236 lobbyists were registered in San Francisco in 2025, a handful of pros dominated the field. Rich Peterson of Lighthouse Public Affairs brought in nearly $2.9 million from 51 clients. Chris Gruwell of New Deal Advisers earned slightly less — $2.6 million — but represented the most clients, with 56. But that doesn’t tell the full story. While San Francisco requires outside lobbying firms to disclose their client lists and fees, large companies often employ full-time in-house staff to influence policy. Those lobbyists are required to report when they contact public officials, but they report only the portion of their salary that corresponds to time spent lobbying, not their full compensation. The true cost of influence at City Hall is a mystery and almost certainly far higher than the numbers suggest. Here are the five companies whose lobbyists contacted San Francisco officials the most in 2025, what they wanted, and whether or not they got it. The busiest companies Waymo: 678 contacts No company worked City Hall harder than Waymo. The robotaxi company, owned by Alphabet, hired lobbyists who contacted public officials more than three times as often as the next busiest client — almost entirely as part of a push to get its vehicles into San Francisco International Airport. Waymo ran two parallel lobbying operations: an outside firm that was paid $10,000 a month and an in-house team that targeted airport staff, the mayor’s office, the city attorney, planning, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, the Board of Supervisors, and the Police Department. By year’s end, the company was also playing defense. When a beloved bodega cat died after being struck by a Waymo on Oct. 27, Supervisor Jackie Fielder called for stricter public regulation of robotaxis . In the following weeks, Waymo’s lobbyists contacted seven different supervisors, asking them to oppose any restrictions on autonomous vehicle operations countywide. It all seems to have been worth it. In September, Lurie announced that Waymo had been granted a permit to operate at the airport. By January, the company had begun offering rides to SFO. Meanwhile, Fielder’s call for more robotaxi regulation appears not to have found other takers inside City Hall. “SFO followed a measured and deliberate process to evaluating the permitting of Waymo at the Airport,” a representative for the airport said. “Other companies have also expressed interest in providing autonomous vehicle services at the Airport, and we have engaged with them in a similar, consistent manner.” Union Square Alliance: 207 contacts The business improvement district that manages Union Square spent the year lobbying on multiple fronts: pushing the Powell Street Corridor Improvement Project, campaigning for more police resources and physical barriers to deter retail theft, and trying to bring life back to the neighborhood’s public spaces with food trucks, holiday events, and a Winter Walk street closure. Starting in June, it turned its focus to securing its own future, lobbying the Recreation and Parks Department to extend its contract to manage Union Square Plaza. Teamster Joint Council 7: 203 contacts The Teamsters represent more than 70,000 Bay Area workers, and in 2025 their primary concern was automation. The union monitored autonomous vehicle policy at every city agency that touches transportation — the airport, SFMTA, the mayor’s office, the city attorney — and in July lobbied every member of the Board of Supervisors in support of a ban on commercial deliveries by autonomous vehicles. The union was also fighting to protect San Francisco’s production, distribution, and repair zones — areas set aside for the kind of blue-collar work Teamsters depend on — from encroachment by tech companies seeking permits for laboratories and outdoor testing. When DoorDash sought to use an industrial site in the Mission to test delivery drones, Teamsters appealed the city’s approval and lobbied the Board of Supervisors, coming out victorious . In December, the board approved legislation requiring companies to obtain a conditional-use permit before converting outdoor PDR spaces for testing purposes. Pacific Gas and Electric: 148 contacts PG&E spent the year meeting with Lurie’s office sometimes multiple times a week, pitching itself as a reliable partner on service planning and long-term grid capacity — seemingly in an attempt to fight off San Francisco’s ongoing effort to municipalize its electrical grid . Then, a major power outage that began Dec. 20 sent PG&E lobbyists scrambling into the new year, with three contacts to the mayor’s office on Jan. 2 alone. The company brought in a new lobbyist to manage the fallout and began making the rounds to every relevant city agency. Hines: 142 contacts The Texas real estate giant responsible for building the Salesforce tower spent 2025 grinding through the permitting process for one of the most significant development opportunities downtown: the old PG&E headquarters at 77 Beale St., a sprawling Financial District property where Hines plans to build the city’s tallest building. Lobbyists contacted the Planning Department, the city attorney, the Office of Economic and Workforce Development, the Department of Building Inspection, the Fire Department, and Public Works. The most-contacted officials Nakornkhet’s office was contacted far more than any other agency or official. Lurie came second, with 297 contacts to his office, most from PG&E, Union Square Alliance, and Waymo. The Board of Supervisors was lobbied more than any city department, and Matt Dorsey of District 6 — a major area of development — was contacted the most. Dorsey was also lobbied by the SF Deputy Sheriff’s Association more than any other supervisor. Fielder, who represents District 9, was contacted by the Teamsters more than any other supervisor. Waymo didn’t contact her once. City planner Corey Teague fielded contacts from a range of corporate rezoning campaigns, all the way down to advocates for a pickleball court. So what about AI? San Francisco is home to the world’s most powerful AI companies, but aside from Waymo, their City Hall lobbying footprint was modest in 2025. Anthropic spent $80,000 hiring lobbyist Alex Tourk at $20,000 a month to meet with the mayor’s office, SFPD, and city HR to pitch a partnership with Claude. OpenAI, which used the same lobbyist in 2024 to support business tax reform, filed no contacts of city officials in 2025. For now, it appears Bay Area-based AI companies are more focused on lobbying at the federal and state levels, where policies could dictate their futures. This story has been updated to include comment from SFO.

SF sheriff blasts supervisor after jail audit demand reported by The Standard

San Francisco Sheriff Paul Miyamoto says Supervisor Jackie Fielder has never visited the county jails and blasted her for bypassing his office in her request for an audit of the agency. Miyamoto made the claims in a letter to Fielder dated March 13, three days after The Standard reported that the supervisor was seeking a formal audit of the sheriff’s office to review recent scandals, the agency’s relationship with federal immigration authorities, and potential financial mismanagement. “While we welcome oversight and accountability, I would have appreciated the professional courtesy of a conversation before the matter was shared with the media, particularly as the story was framed as an exclusive with The San Francisco Standard,” the sheriff wrote in the letter, which was obtained by The Standard. Fielder’s call for a review of the sheriff’s office came in the wake of allegations that deputies videotaped female inmates during a mass strip search and a 2024 training exercise that exposed schoolchildren to toxic tear gas, among other scandals. In the letter, Miyamoto said that when the strip-search complaints were made in November, his office invited Fielder and others to tour the jail “so you could see firsthand where the alleged incident occurred and ask questions of the staff.” “You did not attend,” he wrote. “Further, you never visited any of our jail facilities.” Representatives for Fielder and Miyamoto did not respond to requests for comment. The sheriff also took issue with Fielder’s suggestion that his office may not be upholding San Francisco’s sanctuary city policies. “That assertion is not only completely inaccurate but also contradicts the very values that the men and women who work in the department uphold every day,” Miyamoto wrote. Sheriff’s officials have said they do not cooperate with requests from federal law enforcement to detain people wanted for suspected immigration violations. According to Miyamoto, the sheriff’s office has received 3,733 detention requests from federal immigration authorities since he took over in 2020 but responded to only one and attempted to respond to another. For the sheriff to inform immigration authorities of an inmate’s release date, the individual must have been convicted of a violent felony in recent years, and a judge must find there is probable cause that the person is guilty. The sheriff does not hand inmates over to immigration authorities. “My office does not participate in immigration enforcement actions or raids,” Miyamoto wrote. “Each case is carefully reviewed, and I personally consider whether the individual poses a public safety risk and whether there is evidence of rehabilitation while in custody.” Despite the kerfuffle, Miyamoto said he hopes to “engage directly” with Fielder from here on out and “work together in a spirit of good faith and mutual respect.” “San Franciscans are best served when their elected leaders collaborate toward the common good, rather than allowing political dynamics to create unnecessary divisions,” he wrote.

Asian Art Museum

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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

Mark Buell

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

Arts Commission Commissioner 3

Arts Commission Commissioner 4

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

Asian Art Commission Commissioner 1

Asian Art Commission Commissioner 2

Asian Art Commission Commissioner 3

Asian Art Commission Commissioner 4

Asian Art Commission Commissioner 5

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Asian Art Commission Commissioner 13

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Asian Art Commission Commissioner 17

Asian Art Commission Commissioner 18

Asian Art Commission Commissioner 19

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Asian Art Commission Commissioner 21

Asian Art Commission Commissioner 22

Asian Art Commission Commissioner 23

Asian Art Commission Commissioner 24

Asian Art Commission Commissioner 25

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