In July, El Tecolote<\/em> invited readers<\/a> to share their top priorities for District 9 candidates. Public safety, affordable housing, homelessness, and strengthening cultural districts emerged as central concerns<\/a> \u2014 issues that also affect Latinx communities across the city, including in neighborhoods like the Tenderloin and Excelsior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rodrigo Lopez, president of the Mission Street Vendors Association, praised Mayor London Breed\u2019s visible presence in the Mission, especially her engagement on safety issues. \u201c[She] was the only one who really showed up to the Mission, walked through the streets, talked to people,\u201d Lopez said. \u201cI want to see more candidates walk these streets, see the issues firsthand. It\u2019s totally different when someone\u2019s behind a desk, far from the \u2018war zone.\u2019 Candidates who care about the city should walk these streets and see the real issues.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lopez added that Breed\u2019s support was crucial for launching a pilot program allowing permitted street vendors to sell goods along 23rd and 24th streets. The program\u2019s future, he says, depends on the results of the mayoral election. While Breed backs the program, Lopez voiced concern over candidate Mark Farrell, who has suggested he would \u201csweep the city\u201d of street vendors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to Breed\u2019s presence, Aaron Peskin has gained notable support among District 9 candidates and San Francisco’s progressive base, who point to his experience in city government and his strong advocacy for tenant protections and affordable housing. At the Latino Mayoral Candidate Forum, hosted by the San Francisco Latino Party and Equity Coalition on September 28, Peskin, along with Supervisor Asha Safai, highlighted affordable housing initiatives they have led and ways to expand them if elected mayor. Peskin\u2019s supporters appreciate his understanding of the city\u2019s structures, as well as his dedication to protecting immigrant families and communities vulnerable to displacement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Daniel Lurie, by far one of the wealthiest people to run for San Francisco mayor, has heavily self-funded his campaign, contributing over $8 million of his own money. Lurie cited delays within City Hall as a primary barrier to affordable housing, stating, \u201cThat\u2019s why the Latino community does not have affordable housing.\u201d Notably, Mark Farrell did not attend the forum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For many Latinx voters in both the District 9 and mayoral races, electing candidates committed to addressing their community\u2019s needs is a top priority. \u201cWe\u2019re [Latinx], not a monolith. We work in different fields, have different identities, and care about different issues,\u201d said Alondra Esquivel Garcia, president of the San Francisco Women\u2019s Political Committee. \u201cIt\u2019s crucial to recognize that we\u2019re spread across the city, not just in one area.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Given the stakes for Latinx communities, here\u2019s how District 9 candidates responded to the question: Who are you voting for mayor?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Oh, Peskin. Who will I vote for as mayor? Four of them are knuckle-draggers. Lurie, though, he\u2019s a decent guy. I see him all the time when I\u2019m out with my dog cleaning up around our building. The Levi\u2019s factory nearby is now a Quaker school, and his kids go there, so I see him, his wife, and their dog regularly. He\u2019s a surprisingly down-to-earth guy for a billionaire. I\u2019m all in for Peskin, and I\u2019d encourage everyone to vote for Lurie second and Safai third, because second place is likely to win this election. But my main message is this: elect a police chief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eltecolote.org\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/609_2e3674c1-195d-4c69-89f8-56aead3d9ba9_1_1721932848_2e3674c1-full.jpg?resize=600%2C399&quality=89&ssl=1\")
h. brown<\/h2>\n\n\n\n