It's only August and we're already getting bombarded with calls and mail from the candidates for mayor. Each of the top tier candidates have appealing qualities, but each also give me reason for pause. Making it more difficult is the lack of discussion about what I consider to be the most important issues: Economic development, Public Safety, Muni, Cleanliness/sanitation, Parks and funding the City's pension obligations without going broke. If you were to force me to name to the top six candidates I am considering for my three choices (we have ranked-choice voting), I would say they are:
- Ed Lee: He improved the atmosphere at City Hall, raised his family in San Francisco and I do not expect any scandals involving the clerical staff. But I do not see any overall improvement in City services. Also too cozy to Willie Brown, Rose Pak and Dianne Feinstein.
- David Chiu: Effective Board President, but does that translate to the executive branch?
- Dennis Herrera: Excellent City Attorney, but is he ready for higher office?
- Leland Yee: Good progressive, but makes a promise to one group of people, then promising the exact opposite to another group.
- Phil Ting: Good ideas. Will probably be one of my top three, but his campaign is not catching fire.
- Jeff Adachi: Outstanding Public Defender, but he needs more than pension reform to convince people to vote for him. He also, as far as I know, has no experience dealing with a wider range of issues beyond his office.
This is definitely not a final list. I'm open to any major candidate except for Michela Alioto-Pier. I wish Tom Ammiano or Mark Leno got in to make my choice clearer, but I have to work with the ballot I have. Any thoughts?