Mission Local’s ongoing “Meet the Candidates” series asks District 10 supervisor hopefuls to explain, in 100 words or fewer, the mayor’s policies they back and those they oppose. The three candidates featured this week—Theo Ellington, J.R. Eppler and Dion‑Jay “DJ” Brookter—have each earned major endorsements or reported sizable contributions, narrowing the field from ten to three.
Theo Ellington
Ellington, 37, serves as executive director of the Ruth Williams Bayview Opera House and has held senior public‑affairs roles with the Golden State Warriors and The Salvation Army. A lifelong Bayview resident, he lives in the Hunters Point Shipyard and commutes by car, transit and foot.
He applauds Mayor Lurie’s expansion of no‑cost and reduced‑cost childcare for low‑ and middle‑income families, noting that District 10 has one of the highest concentrations of children and that childcare costs strain families. Ellington opposes the exclusion of District 10 from the mayor’s Family Zoning Plan, arguing the southeast side deserves the same investment as the rest of the city. He proposes a Community & Economic Development plan to begin within the first 30 days of office, focusing on transit corridors along Third Street, Evans Avenue, Bayshore and 16th Street without causing displacement.
Endorsed by Mayor Daniel Lurie, State Controller Malia Cohen, the San Francisco Democratic Party and other prominent officials, Ellington positions himself as a collaborative partner with the mayor while pushing for equitable development.
J.R. Eppler
Eppler, 46, is a small‑business attorney who has lived in San Francisco since 2007 and in Potrero Hill since 2010. He travels by car, transit, bike and on foot, and holds degrees from Stanford, UCLA and an MBA from UCLA.
He supports the mayor’s $2 million commitment to Alice Griffith’s courtyard improvements, citing the need for safe, pest‑free housing for families. However, Eppler criticizes the continued use of Flock license‑plate cameras, saying new data‑access limits do not fully address privacy concerns. He argues the city can equip police to solve crimes without renewing a contract with a vendor that has eroded public trust.
His endorsements include the Harvey Milk Democratic Club, the SF League of Pissed Off Voters, United Educators of San Francisco and the California Working Families Party.
Dion‑Jay “DJ” Brookter
Brookter, 43, formerly led the nonprofit Young Community Developers and currently has no formal employment. He owns a home in the Candlestick Point/Little Hollywood area and has lived in San Francisco since 2014. He holds a bachelor’s degree in speech communication from Utah State University and an MBA from the University of Phoenix.
He strongly supports the mayor’s expansion of free and low‑cost childcare for infants and toddlers, emphasizing the importance of helping working families achieve economic stability. Brookter opposes the two‑hour RV parking restriction, warning that enforcement without viable alternatives could deepen homelessness. He would prioritize fully funded eviction defense, tenant legal services, city‑funded storage, community‑based outreach, immediate housing options and pathways to permanent housing. He also calls for accurate counts and equitable distribution of services so District 10 does not bear a disproportionate burden.
Brookter’s endorsements come from Supervisor Shamann Walton, former Mayor Willie Brown, Supervisors Connie Chan and Myrna Melgar, former Mayor Art Agnos and several former supervisors, underscoring his deep ties to the district’s progressive leadership.
What Voters Should Know
All three candidates agree on the need for expanded childcare—a critical issue for families across District 10. Their differences center on how to address vehicle homelessness, data privacy and the scope of zoning investments. Voters can expect each candidate to bring a distinct approach to balancing public safety, privacy rights and equitable development.
Mission Local will continue to publish candidate responses each Thursday. Readers with questions for the candidates may email [email protected]. Register to vote at the city’s official portal to ensure your voice is heard in the upcoming supervisor election.
Original reporting: Mission Local — read the source article.
