San Francisco voters gave Theo Ellington a clear mandate on Tuesday night, awarding him 68.6% of the early vote count in the District 10 supervisor race. His nearest rival, Dion‑Jay “DJ” Brookter, received 31.4%, while J.R. Eppler was eliminated in the final round of ranked‑choice voting.
Strong endorsements and fundraising power
Ellington entered the race 13 months ago as the early front‑runner, bolstered by endorsements from Mayor Daniel Lurie, former Mayor London Breed, Senator Scott Wiener, former District 10 supervisor Malia Cohen, and the San Francisco Democratic Party. He also raised $495,000 of his own campaign funds, outpacing Brookter by $300,000, and benefitted from a supportive political action committee that contributed an additional $550,000.
Tech money controversy
A surprise $540,000 contribution from cryptocurrency billionaire Chris Larsen to a pro‑Ellington PAC sparked criticism from opponents, who warned that the influx of tech money could sway the candidate. Ellington responded by emphasizing his independence and distancing himself from Larsen and other tech backers, a message that resonated with voters who were wary of outside influence.
Policy positions
While Brookter and Eppler advocated for a permanent ban on the SFPD’s license‑plate surveillance tool known as Flock, Ellington took a more measured stance, indicating he would support the technology with strict retention limits. On development, Ellington said he would work to upzone the Third Street Corridor for mixed‑use housing, a plan opposed by Brookter, who raised concerns about gentrification.
Campaign outreach
The campaign’s financial resources allowed for an extensive ground game, with canvassers and door‑knockers reaching residents across one of San Francisco’s largest and most isolated districts. Turnout in District 10 has historically been low; by 8:45 p.m. on election night, only 19% of mail‑in ballots had been counted, suggesting that the final tally could shift slightly as more votes are processed.
Ellington’s background
Ellington serves as director of the Bayview’s Ruth Williams Opera House and has a long history as a city lobbyist. He previously ran for the District 10 seat in 2018 at age 29, finishing third with roughly 20% of the vote. This time, his broader name recognition and extensive support network helped secure a decisive win.
What’s next?
With the early results in hand, Ellington and his team are preparing for the transition to office. The district’s voters can expect a supervisor who balances public safety technology with privacy safeguards and pursues thoughtful development while remaining attentive to concerns about gentrification.
Original reporting: Mission Local — read the source article.
