2022 California's 17th State Assembly district special election
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The 2022 California 17th State Assembly district special election was a special election to fill the vacant 17th Assembly District. The special election was called after incumbent Assemblymember David Chiu resigned the seat to become City Attorney of San Francisco. Matt Haney, a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, won the election.
The blanket primary election was held on February 15, coinciding with the local special election on the same date.[1] The general election was held on April 19, 2022. According to the Wall Street Journal, the election centered on the issue of "Which candidate wants to build more housing."[2]
Background
[edit]On November 1, 2021, then-Assemblymember David Chiu resigned his Assemblymember position and was sworn in as San Francisco City Attorney.[3][4] On November 15, Governor Gavin Newsom declared that the primary election would occur on February 15, 2022, and the general election would occur on April 19, 2022.[1] The election was a two-round system. If no candidate won a simple majority of votes in the primary election, the top two vote-getters would face off in the general election.[5]
Voter turnout for special elections is often lower than that of regular elections. However, after new vote by mail laws passed in California due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the most recent off-cycle election included unusually high turnout primarily via the vote by mail option.[6] Turnout for the 2021 California gubernatorial recall election was 58%,[7] twice as high as expected in a normal special election.[8] If this trend holds, the California 17th assembly district special election could have similarly high turnout.
Candidates
[edit]Four candidates (all registered Democrats) were certified to run in the special election.[9][10]
- Bilal Mahmood, behavioral economics researcher, predictive analytics entrepreneur and policy analyst in the Obama administration[11][12][13][14]
- David Campos, Chief of Staff for the San Francisco District Attorney, and former member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors
- Matt Haney, a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors
- Thea Selby, a City College of San Francisco trustee[15]
Following the primary election, David Campos and Matt Haney advanced to the general run-off election.
Issues
[edit]Housing
[edit]469 Stevenson Street
[edit]In October 2021, San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 8-3 against a housing development at 469 Stevenson Street in San Francisco. Supervisor Matt Haney, whose district the project was in, was among the three who voted in favor of the project. The proposed housing site, which is located in Haney's district and currently serves as a valet parking lot for Nordstrom, would have provided 73 affordable housing units on-site and 45 off-site, as well as created 1,000 union jobs. Haney argued in support of the project, citing “a homelessness crisis, a housing affordability crisis and a climate crisis" that necessitated more housing at all levels, including affordable housing. Bilal Mahmood and Thea Selby also supported the project.[16]
David Campos opposed the project, arguing that the project would cause gentrification and displacement of low-income residents from the neighborhood. Haney countered: “I don’t think it prevents gentrification to keep a Nordstrom’s valet parking lot,” and noted that most low-income people living in the neighborhood have strong protections against displacement.[16]
Pundits argued that it was unusual for the board to overrule the district supervisor on a land use rule. Because six of the supervisors had endorsed David Campos, they claimed the vote was about "punishing Matt Haney for running against David Campos."[17]
In March 2022, the Haney campaign sent a print mail advertisement to voters about the Stevenson Street project. The mailer stated: “Matt Haney voted to build 495 units of housing for working families here – his opponent, David Campos, wants to keep it a valet parking lot." The Campos campaign accused Haney of flip-flopping on housing policy and disputed the number of homes that would be reserved and priced affordably for low-income households.[18]
Policy positions
[edit]Matt Haney advocated more housing construction, citing housing affordability, climate change, and homelessness as problems that could be addressed with more housing. He supported stronger state action through legislation and executive action to encourage and compel cities to build more housing.[19] The Wall Street Journal wrote, "In a city where loud voices like to kill new housing, Haney forged a reputation as someone willing to buck the anti-housing superstition and find workable compromises to a pressing issue."[20] Haney also cited the need for a regional approach to ensure all cities and neighborhoods build more housing.[2] He proposed in the state assembly to reform zoning and allow for more housing; build more homes, including social housing, in San Francisco; strengthening tenant protections; and holding localities accountable for their share of new housing.[21]
David Campos opposed market-rate development, saying "I don't believe…we should give a blank check to developers that simply lets them build whatever they want without any say from residents in these neighborhoods."[2] Campos emphasized government investment in income-restricted affordable housing and tenant protections.[21]
Haney previously held many housing stances that he criticized Campos for, including a moratorium on new market-rate housing in the Mission District and opposing state laws that speed up housing development. But early in the election season, Haney declared his support for more state control over local housing authority.[19]
"Tenderloin Supervisor Matt Haney"
[edit]David Campos regularly referred to Matt Haney as "the Tenderloin supervisor" and placed an online video ad that blamed Haney for serious levels of crime, drug use and homelessness in the neighborhood. Campos said that under Haney's tenure, the situation was so bad that the Mayor declared a state of emergency. Haney responded that the epithet was a "cynical" ploy to "fear and prejudice", tying Haney to one out of many neighborhoods in his district. Haney stated that he had brought more resources to the Tenderloin. Haney's campaign shared a letter by Tenderloin merchants and residents calling on Campos to take down his negative advertising, saying "you are ostracizing and degrading an entire community for your own political gain.” Campos responded, “I think that what’s happening to this community is a travesty. And saying that it is a travesty is not an attack on that community.”[22][23][24]
A political science scholar suggested “negative campaign ads tend to work in national and state level politics, but at the level of neighborhoods, in a city where neighborhoods matter, an ad blaming a single politician for its condition might backfire and alienate voters throughout the city.”[23]
Campos Ballot Designation
[edit]In December 2021, lawyers representing Matt Haney wrote to the California Secretary of State to challenge David Campos's ballot designation as "civil rights attorney". The lawyers argued that there was no record that Campos had acted as a civil rights attorney in his recent jobs as a government administrator or as Chief of Staff to District Attorney Chesa Boudin. A Haney campaign spokesperson said it was "confusing and misleading" for Campos to omit his occupation from voters. The Campos campaign responded, "David [Campos] was hired by the district attorney's office to be a civil rights attorney," and called the challenge "cynical."[25] The Secretary of State's office approved the ballot designation.[26]
In February 2022, Haney's campaign filed a lawsuit against California Secretary of State Shirley Weber seeking a court order to strike the ballot designation. Campos and Boudin submitted declarations in support of "civil rights attorney" as a ballot designation, arguing that civil rights work was a core part of Campos's occupation with the District Attorney's office. The judge in the case disagreed, saying “The court finds that it is highly unlikely that the tasks that Mr. Campos and Mr. Boudin have outlined in their declarations is their principal occupation, versus overseeing the prosecution and making policy decisions involving those accused of a crime or enforcing the criminal laws.” The judge rejected "civil rights attorney" and "criminal justice attorney" as ballot designations, ultimately approving "criminal justice administrator" as Campos's ballot designation. After the ruling, Haney expressed vindication that Campos's original designation was misleading. Campos maintained that his work with the District Attorney's office protected civil rights, "including the right to be safe" and "working to free the wrongfully convicted".[27][28]
Professor James Taylor of University of San Francisco called the ruling a win for the Haney campaign, saying that it paints Campos' campaign as "misleading" and tying Campos to Chesa Boudin, who faces a recall election in June. Professor David McCuan of Sonoma State University said the difference between the old and new ballot designations was marginal, but it could sway more voters towards Haney over Campos.[23]
Endorsements
[edit]- Individuals
- Supervisor Connie Chan[29]
- Supervisor Rafael Mandelman[29]
- Supervisor Aaron Peskin[30]
- Supervisor Gordon Mar[31]
- Supervisor Dean Preston[31]
- Supervisor Hillary Ronen[31]
- Former Supervisor Bevan Dufty[29]
- Former Supervisor Jeff Sheehy[29]
- Former Supervisor Norman Yee[32]
- Former Supervisor Sandra Lee Fewer[32]
- Former Supervisor Eric Mar[32]
- Former Supervisor Jake McGoldrick[32]
- Former Supervisor Matt Gonzalez[32]
- Former Supervisor Christina Olague[32]
- Former Supervisor Sophie Maxwell[32]
- Former Assemblyman Tom Ammiano[29]
- Former State Senator Mark Leno[29]
- City College of San Francisco Trustee Thea Selby (after being eliminated in the primary)[33]
- Newspapers
- Organizations
- Elected Officials
- Mayor London Breed[37]
- Supervisor Shamann Walton[30]
- Supervisor Ahsha Safaí[30]
- BART Board member Lateefah Simon[32]
- Attorney General of California Rob Bonta[37]
- California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond[37]
- Other Individuals
- Bilal Mahmood (after being eliminated)[38]
- San Francisco Democratic Party Chair Honey Mahogany[39]
- Newspaper(s)
- San Francisco Examiner[40]
- San Francisco Chronicle (in general run-off election)[41]
- Organizations
- Newspaper(s)
- San Francisco Chronicle (in primary election)[43]
Polling
[edit]Primary election
[edit]| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
David Campos (D) |
Matt Haney (D) |
Bilal Mahmood (D) |
Thea Selby (D) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tulchin Research (D)[A] | December 2021 | 400 (LV) | ± 4.9% | 29% | 26% | 13% | 4% | 28% |
Runoff
[edit]| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
David Campos (D) |
Matt Haney (D) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tulchin Research (D)[A] | Mid-March 2021 | – (LV) | – | 43% | 37% | 20% |
| David Binder Research (D)[B] | February 21–27, 2021[23] | 500 (LV) | ± 4.9% | 35% | 52% | 13% |
Results
[edit]| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Matt Haney | 34,174 | 36.4 | |
| Democratic | David Campos | 33,448 | 35.7 | |
| Democratic | Bilal Mahmood | 20,895 | 22.3 | |
| Democratic | Thea Selby | 5,261 | 5.6 | |
| Total votes | 93,778 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Matt Haney | 48,762 | 62.4 | |
| Democratic | David Campos | 29,422 | 37.6 | |
| Total votes | 78,184 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
Aftermath
[edit]Analysis
[edit]Housing
[edit]Housing became a key policy differentiator between the campaigns and was frequently discussed by reporters and analysts. Haney and Campos held very similar policy views and "there was barely any daylight between the ideological positions of the two candidates."[20] Although Haney and Campos once held similar housing views, Matt Haney shifted his position on housing, and earned support from pro-housing YIMBY groups.[45][46][47] The San Francisco Chronicle wrote that Haney's campaign was "one of the most housing-focused campaigns the city has seen in recent history".[46] Haney's evolution on housing from past positions secured the support of pro-housing YIMBY groups. In contrast, David Campos's framing of housing as a stark choice between affordable homes against luxury condos was not an effective message.[45][47] Joe Eskenazi for Mission Local wrote that Campos and the city's progressive wing must provide better solutions for housing affordability.[48]
Benjamin Schneider at the Examiner speculated that San Francisco progressives would take more pro-housing positions in the future, noting that progressives Alex Lee, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Elizabeth Warren have embraced YIMBY policies.[47] Dustin Gardiner for the San Francisco Chronicle wrote that the blowout victory was a decisive win for the YIMBY movement, boosting their ability to attract progressive candidates in California to their banner.[46] Paul Krugman for The New York Times wrote that the election was fought largely over housing policy, and more YIMBY electoral victories could foreshadow positive benefits for the national economy and environment.[49]
Fundraising
[edit]Matt Haney raised more money than David Campos, and in addition, Matt Haney benefited from $1.7 million in independent expenditure money from labor unions and the California Association of Realtors. The independent expenditure committees inundated David Campos with negative ads around his housing policy and his close ties to District Attorney Chesa Boudin, who faces a recall election in June.[20] Campos lamented that "Big money has figured out how to win elections." However, Joe Eskenazi noted that while a large money advantage could shift an election by 6 points, money alone was insufficient to explain a 25-point lead.[45][48]
Coalition
[edit]People described Matt Haney as friendly and positive, but also a political opportunist. Matt Haney was able to create a larger political coalition by courting moderates and housing advocates. In contrast, David Campos had antagonized and alienated allies during his political career. As a result, Campos had less support from would-be supporters such as LGBTQ advocacy group Equality California, and lacked key labor endorsements.[45][48] Matt Haney credited his success most to labor union support from AFSCME and SEIU local affiliates.[50]
Summary
[edit]In summary, observers concluded that Matt Haney ran a better campaign. Haney raised more money, had a bigger coalition, and chose a strong contrast message on housing that resonated with voters. In contrast, David Campos ran an "anachronistic" campaign that did not expand his voter base, using ineffective messaging around corporate financing. Campos's attempts to link Haney to crime and poverty in the Tenderloin neighborhood and to corporations did not stick.[20][45]
Supervisor Vacancy Appointment
[edit]Matt Haney's election to the Assembly left an impending vacancy on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors beginning May 3. Mayor London Breed appointed Matt Dorsey to be District 6 Supervisor until the end of the term.[51] The next scheduled election for this seat is November 2022. Matt Haney has announced support for his chief of staff, Honey Mahogany to become Supervisor.[52]
Notes
[edit]- Partisan clients
External links
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Asperin, Alexa Mae (November 15, 2021). "Newsom declares special election for State Assembly District 17 to replace David Chiu". KRON 4 News. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
- ^ a b c Mai-Duc, Christine (April 19, 2022). "Yimby Movement Goes Mainstream in Response to High Housing Costs". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
- ^ Moench, Mallory (September 29, 2021). "Who will replace Assembly Member David Chiu? City attorney pick heats up progressive race". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
- ^ Thadani, Trisha; Stoughtenborough, Ryce (November 1, 2021). "David Chiu takes over as San Francisco's city attorney". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
- ^ Barmann, Jay (September 29, 2021). "It's Official: David Chiu Is SF's New City Attorney". SFist. Archived from the original on October 14, 2021. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
- ^ Cowan, Jill (September 11, 2021). "What the recall means for the future of mail-in voting". The New York Times. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
- ^ "Statement of Vote: September 14, 2021 California Gubernatorial Recall Election" (PDF). California Secretary of State. p. 5. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
- ^ Hubler, Shawn; Cowan, Jill (September 8, 2021). "The ease of mail-in voting may increase turnout in California's recall election". The New York Times. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
- ^ "Certified List of Candidates for the Special Primary Election, Seventeenth State Assembly District, February 15, 2022" (PDF). California Secretary of State. December 28, 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 13, 2022. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
- ^ "California State Assembly District 17". Ballotpedia. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
- ^ Moench, Mallory (September 29, 2021). "Who will replace Assembly Member David Chiu? City attorney pick heats up progressive race". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
- ^ Moench, Mallory (January 24, 2022). "S.F. election: Assembly candidate, political newcomer faces criticism for voting record". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
- ^ Laura, More by (February 8, 2022). "Interview Transcript: Bilal Mahmood". San Francisco Public Press. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
- ^ "Bilal Mahmood '09 running for AD17 to recover 'beacon of hope'". The Stanford Daily. November 8, 2021. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
- ^ "Assembly District 17 Candidates Meet on Thursday, January 13, 2022". Glen Park Association. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
Meet the candidates vying to replace David Chiu to represent Assembly District 17 on Thursday, January 13, 2022, at a virtual meeting hosted by the Diamond Heights Community Association, the Glen Park Association and Upper Noe Neighbors.
- ^ a b Garofoli, Joe (November 7, 2021). "That rejected 495-unit complex in San Francisco is now a dividing line in Assembly race". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
- ^ "Why did S.F. supervisors vote against a project to turn a parking lot into 500 housing units?". San Francisco Chronicle. October 27, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
- ^ Ege, Mike (March 22, 2022). "Blocked Downtown Project Emerges as Sticking Point in AD17 Race". San Francisco Standard. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
- ^ a b Knight, Heather (September 29, 2021). "Matt Haney plans to run for state Assembly. He'll push housing policies he didn't always agree with". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
- ^ a b c d Duran, Gil (April 22, 2022). "Opinion: Matt Haney shows S.F. progressives how to win instead of whine". San Francisco Examiner. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
- ^ a b Balakrishnan, Eleni (January 28, 2022). "Five Questions for assembly candidates: #3 Housing". Mission Local. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
- ^ Garofoli, Joe (February 20, 2022). "Two liberal San Francisco politicians are locked into the Assembly race. Here's what will separate them". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
- ^ a b c d Garofoli, Joe (March 1, 2022). "Campos can't use 'civil rights attorney' on ballot as Assembly special election grows increasingly bitter". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
- ^ Duran, Gil (March 2, 2022). "Opinion: David Campos' flailing antics suggest Matt Haney will win S.F. Assembly race". San Francisco Examiner. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
- ^ Truong, Kevin (December 28, 2021). "Assembly Race Heats Up as Haney Accuses Campos of Misleading Voters with "Civil Rights Attorney" Designation". San Francisco Standard. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
- ^ Bay City News (March 1, 2022). "Haney files lawsuit over Campos ballot description". San Francisco Examiner. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
- ^ Tong, Anna (March 1, 2022). "Judge Rules David Campos Can't Call Himself a 'Civil Rights Attorney' in State Assembly Runoff". San Francisco Standard. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
- ^ Bay City News (March 1, 2022). "Judge Rules Assembly Candidate David Campos Can't Use 'Civil Rights Attorney' On Ballot". KPIX 5 CBS SF Bay Area. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f "Campos kicks off campaign with strong labor and LGBT support". 48 hills. November 15, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
- ^ a b c Moench, Mallory (January 19, 2022). "Spotlight on the Assembly race: Matt Haney wants to tackle climate change and inequality". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
- ^ a b c "David Campos, Former Supervisor and Longtime Party Leader, On Why He's Running". The San Francisco Standard. November 18, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Haney launches Assembly campaign with strong building-trades union support". 48 hills. October 18, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
- ^ Garofoli, Joe (March 15, 2022). "Thea Selby, fourth-place finisher in 17th District Assembly race, endorses David Campos". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
- ^ "Editorial: David Campos for Assembly". Bay Area Reporter. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
- ^ Editorial, Guardian (January 20, 2022). "San Francisco Bay Guardian | ENDORSEMENTS for the February 2022 Special Election". San Francisco Bay Guardian. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
- ^ "Political Notebook: Milk club endorses Campos for Assembly". Bay Area Reporter. October 20, 2021. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
- ^ a b c d Gaus, Annie (April 5, 2022). "Mayor Breed Endorses Matt Haney in Assembly District Race". San Francisco Standard. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
- ^ Moench, Mallory (March 3, 2022). "S.F. Assembly race: YIMBY-backed Bilal Mahmood endorses Matt Haney over David Campos in runoff". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
- ^ Mahogany, Honey; Bannon, Race (December 22, 2021). "Guest Opinion: Matt Haney, progressive champion for Assembly". Bay Area Reporter. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
- ^ "Endorsement: Matt Haney is a progressive who knows how to make progress". San Francisco Examiner. January 28, 2022. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
- ^ "Endorsement: San Francisco needs a housing champion in Assembly District 17. Matt Haney can be that person". San Francisco Chronicle. March 20, 2022. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
- ^ Garofoli, Joe (March 27, 2022). "'Is there another election?': Assembly candidates go door to door in search of every possible vote". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
- ^ Chronicle Editorial Board (February 6, 2022). "The Chronicle's endorsement in the Assembly District 17 special election". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
- ^ "Election Results". San Francisco Department of Elections.
- ^ a b c d e "Analysis: Haney Wins by Shrewdly Following Political Winds". San Francisco Standard. April 20, 2022. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
- ^ a b c Gardiner, Dustin (April 20, 2022). "Matt Haney's Assembly victory is a coup for YIMBY activists seeking to align with S.F. progressives". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
- ^ a b c Schneider, Benjamin (April 21, 2022). "What Matt Haney's Assembly victory means for the future of housing". San Francisco Examiner. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
- ^ a b c Eskenazi, Joe (April 21, 2022). "Progressives ignore the lessons of Haney-Campos at their own peril". Mission Local. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
- ^ Krugman, Paul (April 21, 2022). "Opinion | How Green Is Your Metropolis?". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
- ^ Koehn, Josh (April 22, 2022). "Matt Haney Shares Secrets to Assembly Victory, Rejects Criticism". The San Francisco Standard. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
- ^ Bollag, Sophia (May 9, 2022). "Who is Matt Dorsey? What we know about Mayor Breed's new appointee to the S.F. Board of Supervisors". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
- ^ Moench, Mallory; Morris, J. D. (April 20, 2022). "With S.F. Supervisor Matt Haney headed to the California Assembly, what's next for District 6?". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved April 24, 2022.