San Francisco – The District 10 supervisor race has taken a dramatic financial turn after crypto billionaire Chris Larsen disclosed a $500,000 contribution to support Theo Ellington, according to a campaign‑finance filing released Thursday. The donation, while consistent with Larsen’s history of large political gifts, dwarfs typical contributions in San Francisco’s city‑wide elections and may be the largest single‑donor amount ever recorded for a supervisor contest.
Who is Theo Ellington?
Ellington serves as the executive director of the Ruth Williams Bayview Opera House and works as a policy director for Brownstein, a public‑affairs firm. He is also a registered city lobbyist. The former mayor’s charter‑amendment backer, Ellington is being championed by moderate civic groups such as GrowSF, which has already spent $61,000 on a voter guide endorsing him and plans to increase that support.
Other candidates in the race
Ellington faces two opponents: J.R. Eppler, a small‑business attorney, and Dion‑Jay Brookter, former chief executive of Young Community Developers. Both are seeking to replace term‑limited Supervisor Shamann Walton. Eppler’s campaign has raised $151,000, while Brookter’s total stands at $129,000.
Funding landscape
Ellington’s campaign already enjoys a robust fundraising base, having collected $472,000 from small‑donor contributions of $500 or less, supplemented by the city’s public‑financing system. The $500,000 from Larsen pushes his total resources well beyond his rivals and underscores the growing influence of high‑net‑worth donors in local elections.
Larsen, his wife Lyna Lam, and Ripple Labs have collectively become the most prolific donors in San Francisco’s November election cycle. The couple previously contributed $2.5 million to support Mayor Daniel Lurie’s charter amendments, while Ripple donated $500,000 toward a Muni parcel‑tax measure.
Reactions
Eppler, Ellington’s primary challenger, warned voters to scrutinize the motives behind such a sizable gift. “When a billionaire puts that kind of money behind a candidate, voters should ask whose interest will come first. Billionaires don’t give gifts, instead they make investments and expect returns,” he said. “District 10 deserves a supervisor who fully represents the hardworking people who live here.”
Ellington has not yet commented on the contribution, and Larsen’s office did not immediately return a request for comment.
What this means for District 10
The infusion of private money could reshape campaign dynamics, allowing Ellington to expand outreach, advertising, and ground‑game efforts across Bayview‑Hunters Point, Visitacion Valley, Portola, and Dogpatch. While the contribution raises questions about influence, it also reflects a broader trend of wealthy individuals seeking to shape local governance.
Voters in District 10 will decide in the upcoming election whether Ellington’s blend of cultural leadership, policy experience, and newfound financial backing aligns with their community’s priorities. The race remains competitive, and the final outcome will hinge on how each candidate connects with constituents on issues ranging from public safety to affordable housing.
Original reporting: Mission Local — read the source article.
