Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Dean Preston


Dean E. Preston is an American civil rights attorney and Democratic Socialist who served as the representative for District 5 on the from December 2019 to January 2025. Specializing in tenants' rights, he founded Tenants Together, California's only statewide tenant advocacy organization, and prior to elected office worked with groups like Rural Legal Assistance. Preston entered politics after unsuccessful runs in 2016, winning a special in 2019 via ranked-choice voting and securing reelection in 2020 before losing in 2024 to Bilal Mahmood. During his term, he authored Proposition F in 2018 to provide legal representation for tenants facing eviction and advanced over a dozen bills halting approximately 20,000 evictions amid the , alongside securing $40 million in rent relief. He also championed ballot measures like Proposition I, raising over $250 million through a transfer tax on high-end for social housing, and supported initiatives for homeless hotel conversions and community-based public safety models that reduced police calls. As San Francisco's first Democratic Socialist supervisor in four decades, Preston's focus on economic equity, opposition to Muni fare hikes, and advocacy for policies like overdose prevention sites drew praise from progressive allies for prioritizing vulnerable populations but sharp criticism from moderates and business interests for alleged fiscal irresponsibility, resistance to market-rate housing, and exacerbation of public safety challenges amid the city's drug and homelessness crises. His tenure included polarizing actions such as a ceasefire resolution and efforts to restrict private security weapons, which prompted high-profile attacks including from and campaigns by groups like GrowSF labeling him a "champagne socialist" due to his affluent background.

Background and Early Influences

Early Life and Family

Dean Preston was born in 1969 in New York City's , where he spent his early years. He was raised in a apartment building that his parents acquired in the , reflecting a stable urban middle-class upbringing in a culturally vibrant neighborhood known for its artistic and intellectual communities. Preston's mother, , was a lifelong , while his father, Kenneth Preston (born Hans Albert Pressburger), emigrated from , , in 1931 as a child fleeing Nazi persecution alongside his own parents, who originated from established Jewish families. Kenneth later anglicized his name and built a life in the United States, though specific details on his profession or further family dynamics remain limited in public records.

Education and Initial Career

Preston earned a degree from in 1991, majoring in and economics; he graduated magna cum laude as a Sarah and James Scholar. He then attended the Hastings College of the Law, where he focused on and obtained his in 1996. Following law school, Preston initially pursued civil rights work domestically, joining the firm of attorney , known for representing clients in cases. From 2000 to 2007, he served as a staff attorney at the Tenderloin Housing Clinic in , defending low-income tenants against eviction and habitability issues in the city's neighborhood. This role marked his early emphasis on housing-related legal advocacy for vulnerable populations.

Activism and Advocacy Work

Tenant Rights Organizing

Preston commenced his tenant rights advocacy in 2000 upon joining the Housing Clinic as a staff attorney, focusing on representing low-income residents in San Francisco's district amid widespread pressures and substandard conditions. His caseload involved defending against no-fault enabled by state laws like the , which allowed landlords to exit rent control by claiming property withdrawal from the market, often leading to tenant displacement. Preston's litigation emphasized enforcement, compelling landlords to remedy violations such as lack of heat, pest infestations, and structural defects under local codes. Over his seven-year tenure at the clinic, a nonprofit managing while litigating on behalf of s, Preston handled disputes that highlighted causal links between lax enforcement and vulnerability, including retaliatory actions by owners against organizing efforts. This direct representation—often in small claims and superior courts—yielded settlements preserving tenancies and securing back rent or repairs, though systemic challenges like limited rent control coverage persisted due to state preemption. His approach prioritized empirical case outcomes over broader until , when he departed to expand scope, critiquing fragmented local efforts as insufficient against statewide advantages. Preston's clinic work underscored organizing's role in countering power imbalances, as individual defenses frequently revealed patterns of amenable to response, such as coordinated associations in buildings facing mass . While effective in immediate preservation—evidenced by the clinic's high success rate in challenges during the period—his experience exposed limitations of reactive without unified statewide pressure, informing subsequent initiatives. This phase established Preston's reputation among advocates for pragmatic, evidence-based resistance to displacement drivers like and .

Founding Tenants Together and Related Efforts

In 2008, Dean Preston founded Tenants Together, establishing it as California's sole statewide coalition of over 50 local rights organizations dedicated to defending and advancing renters' . The nonprofit aimed to promote safe, decent, and for renters across the state by coordinating efforts among member groups. Preston, who had previously spent seven years as a rights at the Housing Clinic handling cases, left that role to launch the organization, viewing it as a necessary escalation to address fragmented local protections amid rising evictions and state-level barriers to rent stabilization. As executive director, Preston led Tenants Together in campaigns to preserve rent , including efforts to counter Proposition 98—a 2018 statewide measure that sought to repeal local rent ordinances but was defeated by voters with 62% opposition. The organization also spearheaded the "It's Your Money" initiative to combat withholding by landlords, highlighting how millions in tenant funds were routinely withheld unlawfully each year and pressuring state legislators for reforms, though initial Democratic-led efforts in Sacramento failed. Additional activities included authoring policy toolkits on rent strategies for local groups and critiquing academic studies, such as a 2019 Stanford analysis claiming rent reduced housing supply, by arguing the research underestimated benefits like tenant stability and ignored landlord incentives for conversions. Preston's tenure emphasized combating Ellis Act abuses, where landlords invoked the state law to evict tenants for property withdrawals from the rental market, often followed by sales or luxury conversions. In 2016, he announced a leadership transition at Tenants Together, stepping back from daily operations while affirming ongoing commitment to its mission of empowering tenant organizing against displacement. These efforts positioned the organization as a key player in statewide tenant advocacy, influencing local policies like San Francisco's right-to-counsel ordinance, though critics from housing development sectors argued such interventions exacerbated supply shortages without addressing root demand drivers.

Political Campaigns and Elections

2019 Special Election Victory

The special election for District 5 was held on November 5, 2019, to fill the remainder of London Breed's term after she ascended to the mayoralty in 2018. The contest featured ranked-choice voting among several candidates, with tenants' rights organizer Dean Preston challenging incumbent Vallie Brown, whom Breed had appointed to the seat. Brown, backed by Breed and moderate donors, emphasized pragmatic governance, while Preston campaigned on progressive priorities including stronger tenant protections and opposition to corporate influence in politics. Initial results showed leading on election night, but as absentee and provisional ballots were tallied over subsequent days, overtook her in a razor-thin margin. declared on November 9, 2019, with a lead of approximately 170 votes out of over 23,000 cast, marking him as the first Democratic Socialist elected to the Board since in 1980. conceded on November 14, 2019, after final certification confirmed 's win. Other candidates, including Joel Ventrsca who received about 7% of first-choice votes, were eliminated in earlier rounds of ranked-choice tabulation, redistributing preferences that favored . Preston's upset victory highlighted divisions within San Francisco's Democratic coalition, with his campaign drawing support from progressive activists and labor unions skeptical of Breed's centrist approach. The narrow outcome underscored the district's diverse electorate, encompassing , Hayes Valley, and parts of the Western Addition, where tenant concerns amid rising housing costs proved decisive. He was sworn in shortly thereafter, assuming office for the partial term ending in 2020.

2020 Reelection and 2024 Defeat

In the November 3, 2020, election for District 5, Dean Preston won reelection under the ranked-choice voting system, defeating primary challenger Vallie Brown, a former interim supervisor, along with minor candidates Daniel Landry and Nomvula O'Meara. Initial tallies showed Preston receiving 21,484 first-choice votes (51.44 percent), Brown 16,777 (40.17 percent), and Landry 2,390 (5.72 percent), with vote transfers in subsequent rounds securing Preston's majority as lower-ranked candidates were eliminated. The contest, held during the early stages of the , saw widespread mail-in voting, and Preston's margin reflected continued support from tenant advocates and progressive voters in the district encompassing , Inner , and parts of the Western Addition. Preston's platform emphasized expanding rent control, evictions moratoriums, and opposition to luxury housing developments, which resonated amid economic uncertainty from pandemic-related shutdowns. Brown, backed by moderate and business interests including endorsements from Mayor , campaigned on balanced approaches to housing and public safety but failed to overcome Preston's incumbency advantage in the progressive-leaning district. The outcome preserved Preston's role as the board's most left-leaning member, often aligning with democratic socialist priorities. By the November 5, 2024, general election, Preston lost his District 5 seat to challenger Bilal Mahmood, a entrepreneur and policy advocate positioning himself as a pro-housing moderate. Official ranked-choice tabulations confirmed Mahmood's victory, with the race reflecting a citywide backlash against incumbent progressives amid elevated rates, visible encampments, and retail vacancies that had intensified since 2020. Mahmood, supported by (Yes In My Backyard) groups and business donors advocating to boost housing supply, outpaced Preston in final vote distributions after early leads proved decisive. Preston conceded on November 10, 2024, via , thanking supporters while criticizing "right-wing pressure groups" for influencing the outcome through funding and messaging. Independent analyses attributed the defeat to trends, with voters in tenant-heavy District 5 prioritizing enforcement against open-air drug markets and over strict rent controls, as evidenced by parallel losses for other progressives and the election of business-friendly candidates elsewhere on the board. changes, including the shift of the more moderate Inner Sunset neighborhood out of District 5, may have marginally aided challengers but did not offset broader dissatisfaction with policy outcomes under Preston's tenure.

Tenure on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors

Legislative Priorities in Housing and Tenant Protections

Preston's legislative efforts emphasized strengthening tenant protections against evictions, particularly during the , where he authored over a dozen bills to shield renters from displacement due to non-payment of rent. In June 2020, he sponsored a measure that permanently barred evictions for pandemic-related non-payment, extending safeguards beyond initial emergency moratoriums. This included an emergency ordinance in 2021 restricting evictions for rent due on or after July 1, amid ongoing economic fallout, which aimed to prevent a wave of displacements despite state-level protections. He advocated for expanded to tenants, building on Proposition F passed in 2018, which provided counsel within 30 days of eviction notices and reportedly saved thousands from eviction by 2024. Preston pushed for full funding of the city's right-to-counsel program and introduced legislation requiring landlords to provide 10 days' notice to cure before pursuing fault-based evictions, seeking to impose procedural hurdles beyond state requirements under Section 1946.2. In housing policy, Preston prioritized social housing initiatives, authoring a 2022 ballot measure authorizing up to 10,000 units of publicly owned , which voters approved with 74% support. He sponsored resolutions urging statewide rent control expansion and introduced measures to acquire properties, such as requesting the purchase of the Webster Street Safeway lot for in November 2024. Additional efforts targeted evictions, with oversight hearings in 2022 highlighting their impact on multiple tenants per unit, though reforms faced resistance from property owner interests. Preston also focused on rent relief and preservation, co-sponsoring ordinances to prohibit evictions for non-payment during crises and requesting mayoral action to preserve funding for programs amid proposed $1.2 billion cuts. These priorities aligned with his background in organizing, emphasizing demand-side protections over supply expansion, though critics argued they constrained market responses to housing shortages.

Positions on Homelessness and Public Spending

Supervisor Dean Preston attributes San Francisco's crisis primarily to economic and housing market failures, including shortages driven by speculative and insufficient public , rather than individual behavioral factors alone. He has argued that capitalism's emphasis on profit over social needs perpetuates and displacement leading to street , particularly in areas like the . Preston advocates addressing root causes through permanent paired with behavioral health services, overdose prevention sites, and , criticizing encampment sweeps and enforcement actions as ineffective "whack-a-mole" tactics that merely relocate people, heighten , and fail to reduce overall numbers. In policy terms, Preston prioritizes investments yielding long-term exits from over temporary shelters or clearances, as evidenced by his defense of Proposition C, which voters approved in 2018 to fund services and allocate 50% of proceeds to construction. He sponsored resolutions urging the use of federal programs for 3,667 deeply affordable units and highlighted a 21% drop in District 5 (from 1,225 to 975 individuals) between 2022 and 2024, attributing it to targeted housing and services spending. Preston has opposed diverting funds from permanent housing, though he participated in 2025 board decisions reapportioning $34.8 million toward short-term beds amid fiscal pressures. On public spending, Preston supports aggressive reallocation and revenue generation for social , including a 2022 proposal to increase annual outlays by $135 million via budget shifts, bond measures, and taxes on vacant properties or corporate landlords. He clashed with Mayor over Proposition I funds, insisting they fund direct development rather than administrative overhead, and requested audits revealing $482 million in unspent reserves to press for faster deployment. Preston authored a successful ballot measure authorizing 10,000 units of publicly owned social and voted against budgets he viewed as fiscally regressive, favoring progressive taxation to sustain expenditures on prevention programs like SRO elevator repairs ($10 million allocated in 2022 for 1,391 units).

Stances on Public Safety, Policing, and Crime

Preston has consistently advocated for reallocating resources from traditional policing toward community-based and alternatives to address crime, particularly in areas like drug use and . He has argued that excessive police funding, including overtime, represents mismanagement and diverts money from preventive measures. For instance, in March 2023, he opposed Mayor London Breed's request for $10 million in police overtime for the district, criticizing it as an ineffective "bailout" amid broader concerns over (SFPD) overspending. His voting record on the Board of Supervisors reflects skepticism toward police budget expansions. Preston cast the lone dissenting vote against the city's $15.9 billion budget in August 2024, which included boosts to SFPD funding, citing the need to prioritize public health cuts over law enforcement increases. He similarly voted no on a $25.3 million supplemental for police overtime in July 2024, one of only two such votes, and opposed the 2022 city budget for failing to curb police expenditures despite an all-time high SFPD allocation of $761.9 million. In 2020, however, he supported a budget that preserved much of the police allocation, drawing criticism from police reform activists for not advancing defunding sufficiently. Regarding drug-related crime, Preston has opposed punitive measures like arrests, describing them as "counterproductive" and linked to higher overdose rates rather than improved safety. In a December 2023 interview, he stated that arresting drug users in the has "not made our city any safer" and advocated for housing, treatment, and economic reforms over enforcement. He clashed with in June 2023 over her push for drug user arrests via an Intoxication Detention program, instead calling for reopening wellness centers and holistic responses. In September 2022, he proposed legislation emphasizing treatment and support services for rampant drug use in the , while acknowledging a limited role for policing. Preston has expressed reservations about expanding police powers, including doubts on Proposition E, a 2024 ballot measure to reinstate foot pursuits and enhance pursuit , arguing it required more of effectiveness before . Critics, including moderate groups like GrowSF, have accused him of undermining public safety by resisting such measures and prioritizing ideology over enforcement amid rising crime concerns.

Economic Policies, Zoning, and Business Regulation

Preston sponsored Proposition I in 2020, which doubled the city's real estate transfer on properties valued at $10 million or more, aiming to generate revenue for protections and while targeting high-end transactions. He also advocated for a vacancy on unoccupied residential units, estimated to affect thousands of properties and incentivize owners to rent them out, with the measure facing legal challenges from property owners. In 2020, Preston supported a proposed tied to CEO-to-worker pay ratios, which would increase levies on companies with significant disparities unless they adopted more equitable compensation structures. These measures reflected his emphasis on progressive taxation to address and fund social programs, including a push in 2022 to allocate an additional $135 million annually to through budget reallocations. On business regulation, Preston introduced legislation in 2021 to establish a city-owned , intended to offer low-interest loans to small businesses and projects like , bypassing private financial institutions. He proposed higher taxes on to discourage speculation, aligning with efforts to regulate property markets beyond free-market dynamics. In 2025, following his tenure, he endorsed an "Empty Homes Tax" initiative to penalize long-term vacancies and boost housing supply through regulatory incentives. Regarding zoning, Preston opposed or delayed reforms promoting denser development, including campaigning against a initiative to accelerate approvals and state SB 50, which sought to enable more in transit-rich areas. He advocated delaying upzoning efforts in high-transit neighborhoods pending a "race and equity study" that was not implemented, contributing to slowed residential expansion. His record included votes against specific projects, such as UCSF , citing concerns over scale and neighborhood impacts, which critics argued restricted supply-increasing changes. Preston favored municipally sponsored social housing over private-led liberalization, promoting city acquisition and construction of up to 10,000 subsidized units as an alternative to market-driven increases.

Support for Public Institutions and Ballot Initiatives

Preston authored Proposition K for the November 2020 ballot, which authorized the City of to acquire, develop, or rehabilitate up to 10,000 units of low- and moderate-income rental housing through purchase, , or other means, aiming to expand public control over stock amid rising market pressures. The measure received endorsement from the and affordable housing advocates, passing with 54.5% voter approval and establishing a mechanism for municipal intervention to counter private developer dominance in housing supply. He has consistently defended Proposition C, enacted by voters in June 2018 with 67.2% support, which levies an additional on corporations with revenues exceeding $50 million—projected to yield $250–$350 million annually—to fund prevention, production, and supportive services rather than temporary shelters. In July 2025, Preston opposed proposed amendments by Mayor and the to reallocate Prop C funds toward expanded shelter capacity, contending that such shifts prioritized short-term containment over evidence-based permanent housing solutions favored by voters and supported by studies showing higher stability outcomes from models. In February 2022, Preston initiated a campaign for a vacant residential , targeting units unoccupied for at least six months and modeled on Vancouver's empty homes , to incentivize utilization of existing stock, generate for acquisition, and address speculative holding by absentee owners amid San Francisco's 4–5% vacancy rate for high-value units. Although the measure did not qualify for the November 2022 due to insufficient signatures, it aligned with his broader push for policies reinforcing public institutions like municipal housing authorities over reliance on private market mechanisms. Preston's initiatives reflect a preference for direct public investment in housing and services, critiquing market-driven approaches for failing to deliver sufficient low-income units, as evidenced by San Francisco's production of only 2,500 affordable units annually against a need for 5,000 amid 30,000 unhoused individuals. He has linked these efforts to bolstering institutions such as the San Francisco Housing Authority, advocating for municipally sponsored social housing projects to achieve scalability without profit motives that inflate costs.

Controversies and Criticisms

Allegations of Anti-Development and Supply-Restricting Policies

Critics from pro-housing advocacy groups, such as GrowSF and organizations, have alleged that Dean Preston's legislative actions and votes on the systematically restricted supply by prioritizing stringent affordability mandates and additional regulatory hurdles over broader approvals. These groups contend that Preston's opposition to market-rate or mixed-income projects deterred developers, exacerbating the city's chronic undersupply of units, which empirical analyses link to rising costs and pressures. For example, GrowSF documented Preston's record of routinely opposing "much-needed ," arguing that such stances contributed to San Francisco's failure to meet state-mandated production targets under the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA). Specific allegations center on Preston's votes against or delays of projects that could have added thousands of units. Pro-housing trackers, including nimby.report, compiled a "Housing Graveyard" attributing to Preston the blockage of developments totaling over 4,000 subsidized homes and other units through opposition to enabling legislation or requirements for extra reviews, such as environmental impact assessments that increased costs and timelines. In Hayes Valley, Preston faced backlash for supporting 100% affordable housing proposals amid community resistance, with critics like those from SF YIMBY arguing that his focus on such projects—rather than larger-scale mixed developments—effectively limited overall supply, as fully affordable builds face higher barriers and lower feasibility without subsidies. A 2024 lawsuit by a pro-housing nonprofit leader further accused Preston of misrepresenting his record by claiming credit for 30,000 units, alleging many were approved despite his interventions that risked derailing them via affordability overrides or fee impositions. Preston's sponsorship of tenant protections, including expansions of rent control and eviction moratoriums during his 2019–2024 tenure, has also drawn claims of supply restriction, as economists and developers argue these measures reduce incentives for new rental construction by capping returns and increasing legal risks. For instance, his advocacy against state streamlining bills like SB 35—which expedited approvals for projects in underproducing cities like —prioritized local control for affordability enforcement, which opponents say functionally vetoed thousands of potential units by preserving discretionary barriers. While Preston countered that market-rate housing alone fails to address equity gaps, critics maintain that his approach, rooted in skepticism of private development, net reduced supply amid 's need for 82,000 units by 2031 per state directives.

Role in Exacerbating San Francisco's Housing and Homelessness Crises

Dean Preston's advocacy for stringent tenant protections and opposition to certain development reforms have been criticized for contributing to San Francisco's persistent shortage, which in turn has fueled rising rents and the crisis. During his tenure from 2019 to 2024, Preston frequently demanded higher percentages of below-market-rate units in proposed projects, such as requiring 50% in developments, rendering some economically unviable and leading to delays or cancellations. For instance, he opposed the , San Francisco's (UCSF) Parnassus Heights expansion plan for , citing concerns over project scale, which included subsidized units for 1,956 individuals. Critics, including pro-housing groups, contend these stances blocked or delayed thousands of units, with analyses attributing to Preston opposition to approximately 8,587 homes in his district and votes against broader reforms enabling up to 30,071 additional units citywide. Preston's support for policies increasing development costs further constrained supply. He championed Proposition I in 2020, which doubled the city's real estate transfer on high-value transactions, a measure projected to raise millions but criticized for deterring property sales and needed for new . Additionally, he proposed a vacancy on underutilized properties, which faced legal challenges for potentially discouraging in rental stock amid an already tight market. These actions aligned with his push to expand rent control via support for Proposition 33 in 2024, aiming to repeal state limits on local controls, despite evidence from 's prior expansions showing a 5% reduction in rental stock and upward pressure on uncontrolled rents. Such restrictions, per economic analyses, reduce landlord incentives for maintenance and new construction, exacerbating the city's shortfall—San Francisco required over 82,000 new units by 2031 to meet regional needs, yet approvals lagged during his term. On homelessness, Preston attributed the crisis primarily to systemic rather than local supply constraints, arguing in 2023 interviews that economic structures, not policy failures, drove unsheltered populations in areas like the . However, data links San Francisco's scarcity—median rents exceeding $3,000 monthly—to displacement and a 2022 homeless count of over 7,800 individuals, with critics noting that restrictive policies under supervisors like Preston prioritized protections over supply expansion, hindering comprehensive solutions. His opposition to state-level streamlining bills, such as SB 50 for transit-oriented , further limited potential influxes of 19,885 units, actions decried by advocates as perpetuating a cycle where high costs propel vulnerability to despite annual expenditures surpassing $1 billion on related services with limited efficacy.

Conflicts with Moderate and Business Interests

Preston's staunch advocacy for expansive tenant protections, opposition to market-rate developments, and resistance to certain public safety enhancements have positioned him in direct opposition to San Francisco's community and moderate political factions, who contend that such stances hinder economic vitality and urban recovery. groups argue that Preston's record, including blocks on projects potentially adding over 30,000 units, exacerbates supply shortages and inflates costs, prioritizing ideological constraints over pragmatic . For instance, he opposed the UCSF expansion and associated low-income initiatives, which critics from sectors viewed as essential for job creation and affordability. A prominent flashpoint emerged in the feud with GrowSF, a moderate advocacy organization aligned with pro-business reforms, which in July 2023 launched a "Dump Dean Preston" campaign enumerating 31 specific policy grievances. These included his vote against the Emergency Initiative in December 2021, a measure aimed at curbing open-air drug markets despite pleas from local merchants for intervention to protect commerce; his efforts to cut Muni funding by $200 million without alternative revenue, risking service reductions; and opposition to permanent for restaurants post-pandemic. GrowSF co-founder Steven Buss described Preston's approach as ideologically rigid, lacking nuance and exhibiting tendencies toward compromise, while Preston countered by portraying the group as covertly Republican-leaning despite Democratic affiliations. The acrimony intensified in April 2023 after tech investor publicly solicited challengers to Preston, drawing endorsements from figures like , who pledged $100,000 to support opposition over Preston's sponsorship of legislation restricting armed security guards—a policy business leaders saw as undermining property protection amid rising crime. Tensions with moderates extended to fiscal and safety priorities, where Preston's reluctance to fund overtime or full staffing clashed with calls for enhanced enforcement to safeguard commercial districts. In his district encompassing the , small business owners accused him of neglecting their concerns over drug-related disruptions, with GrowSF highlighting his defiance of resident and merchant input on such issues. Tech executives, including Y Combinator's , amplified business discontent by offering bounties for his removal, framing his anti-incarceration positions as complicit in the affecting urban economies. These rifts culminated in substantial opposition funding during his 2024 reelection, with GrowSF and aligned donors backing challenger Bilal Mahmood, a tech entrepreneur advocating (Yes In My Backyard) development to counter Preston's perceived supply-restrictive record. Critics within moderate Democratic circles further faulted his rejection of voter-backed reforms, such as the 2022 school board recall supported by 75% of voters, as emblematic of unyielding over electoral consensus.

Political Ideology and Broader Views

Advocacy for Democratic Socialism

Dean Preston has identified as a since entering politics, advocating for systemic reforms to address through democratic means at local, state, and national levels. As a member of the (DSA), he secured endorsements from DSA for his 2019 special election victory and 2024 reelection bid, positioning his campaigns as efforts to counter corporate influence and prioritize working-class interests. In his 2019 run for District 5, Preston framed tenant rights and anti-eviction measures as core to democratic socialist principles, drawing on his background as a tenant organizer to challenge landlord power and developer-driven displacement. He explicitly linked urban crises like to structural flaws in , stating in a September that "people are homeless because of the failure of our capitalist economy" rather than isolated policy failures. This perspective informed his push for redistributive policies, such as taxing high-value property transfers and expanding funding, which he presented as steps toward equitable over market-led solutions. Preston's advocacy extended to broader critiques of wealth concentration, repeatedly calling on "billionaires to pay their fair share" through progressive taxation and regulatory measures targeting tech-driven in . During his tenure from November 2019 to January 2025, he described his legislative record as advancing "socialist policies," including initiatives for universal childcare access and opposition to in , marking him as the first openly democratic socialist elected to the board in over four decades. These efforts aligned with priorities, emphasizing public control over to mitigate the causal effects of unregulated markets on and .

Critiques of Capitalism and Market Mechanisms

Dean Preston has articulated critiques of capitalism primarily through the lens of its perceived failures in addressing social issues like and in . In a 2023 documentary featured in the , he attributed the city's rampant drug use, , and to systemic flaws in , arguing that profit-driven incentives exacerbate these problems rather than resolve them. He has stated that stems directly from "the failure of our system," positing that market priorities favor speculative investment over providing shelter for the vulnerable, leading to and untreated social needs. Preston's views extend to skepticism of market mechanisms in and economic distribution, where he contends that unregulated or even well-regulated markets perpetuate and profiteering. In a interview, he reflected on his earlier faith in "well-regulated " but expressed disillusionment, asserting that market-based solutions to the Bay Area's housing crisis enable and fail to deliver affordability for working-class residents. He has criticized markets for prioritizing "crumbs" for tenants while enriching developers, advocating instead for decommodified approaches that bypass profit motives. As a self-identified democratic socialist, Preston frames capitalism's core mechanisms—such as private ownership of production and competitive pricing—as inherently counterproductive to equitable outcomes, particularly in high-cost urban environments. He has linked these dynamics to broader economic , including via mechanisms like pass-through costs for public bonds, which he views as windfalls subsidized by renters. In public statements, he has called for systemic alternatives that prioritize public control over market allocation to mitigate what he describes as capitalism's tendency to widen wealth gaps and neglect public welfare.

Legacy and Post-Tenure Developments

Electoral Loss and Voter Backlash

In the November 5, 2024, Consolidated General Election, Dean Preston lost his bid for re-election to the District 5 seat to challenger Bilal Mahmood, a tech entrepreneur advocating pro-housing ("") policies. Under ranked-choice voting, Mahmood secured victory in the final round with 14,741 votes (52.99%), while Preston received 13,077 votes (47.01%), following the elimination of other candidates whose votes redistributed in Mahmood's favor. Preston, who had won the seat in a special and held it through 2024, conceded the race on November 10, 2024, via , thanking supporters but leaving office at the end of his term in January 2025. The defeat reflected broader voter dissatisfaction with Preston's tenure, marked by his identification as the board's sole democratic socialist and advocacy for policies perceived by critics as hindering economic recovery and urban development. Advocacy groups such as Grow SF mounted campaigns like "Dump Dean," citing Preston's record on fiscal irresponsibility, opposition to market-driven growth, and insufficient emphasis on public safety as reasons for ousting him. Redistricting prior to the election altered District 5's boundaries, removing a progressive-leaning area like the Inner Sunset and incorporating the neighborhood, potentially shifting voter demographics toward those frustrated with entrenched and issues. Preston attributed his loss to external pressures from "right-wing" organizations and campaigns, though independent analyses pointed to a citywide pivot against extreme progressive positions amid ongoing challenges like shortages and business exodus. His polarizing profile, including feuds with business interests and moderate Democrats, had drawn sustained criticism even before the election, with outlets describing him as San Francisco's "most controversial" supervisor due to policies seen as prioritizing ideological goals over pragmatic solutions. The upset in a with strong protections underscored a rejection of supply-restrictive approaches, favoring Mahmood's emphasizing increased supply and tech-sector alignment.

Influence on San Francisco's Progressive Movement

Preston's election to the in November 2019 as the first self-identified democratic socialist in over four decades energized the city's progressive left, demonstrating viability for explicitly socialist candidates in local office. His campaign, rooted in prior activism through founding the statewide tenants' rights organization Tenants Together, highlighted grassroots organizing as a pathway to electoral success, inspiring subsequent progressive bids by emphasizing anti-eviction measures and critiques of developer influence. During his tenure, Preston advanced policies aligned with progressive priorities, such as expanding rent control and challenging market-driven housing solutions, which reinforced ideological commitments within San Francisco's () chapter and allied groups. These efforts, including opposition to pro-development "" initiatives, solidified his role as a counterweight to business interests, fostering a of resistance against Silicon Valley-driven inequality that resonated in progressive organizing circles. Following his electoral defeat in November 2024 to a more moderate, pro-housing candidate, Preston's influence persisted through public reflections on the progressive movement's setbacks, attributing losses to disinformation campaigns and media bias rather than policy failures. In post-tenure commentary, he advocated for strategic adaptations by the left, including stronger mobilizations against big-money opposition, while critiquing internal divisions that contributed to a broader "anti-incumbency wave" against progressives in the 2024 elections. However, his ouster, alongside defeats of other progressive incumbents, underscored voter fatigue with policies perceived as exacerbating urban crises, prompting debates within the movement on recalibrating anti-development stances to regain broader appeal.

Personal Life

Family, Residence, and Private Interests

Preston has resided in San Francisco's District 5 for over 30 years. He met his wife, Jenckyn Goosby, while attending . The couple has children who attend public schools in the city. In his private pursuits, Preston co-owned Café du Nord, a historic in San Francisco's Cole Valley neighborhood, prior to his political career. He regularly uses public transit, riding Muni as part of his daily routine.

References

  1. [1]
    Dean Preston - Ballotpedia
    General election. General election for San Francisco Board of Supervisors District 5. Select round: Round 4 ...
  2. [2]
    Dean Preston on progressive victories, hostile media, and next steps ...
    Jan 16, 2025 · As the first democratic socialist elected to San Francisco's Board of Supervisors in 40 years (since Harry Britt in 1980), former District 5 ...
  3. [3]
    Meet Dean - Dean Preston
    Dean has lived in District 5 in San Francisco for over 30 years. He is a public school parent, an everyday Muni rider, a former small business owner, a former ...Missing: background | Show results with:background
  4. [4]
    Dump Dean or embrace him? Sizing up the most polarizing man in ...
    Mar 4, 2024 · Dean Preston, San Francisco's only Democratic Socialist supervisor, faces a tough reelection.Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
  5. [5]
    Kenneth A. Preston - Friends Journal
    Oct 1, 2021 · Born Hans Albert Pressburger on April 21, 1931, in Stuttgart, Germany, Ken was the only child of Joseph Pressburger and Trude Wertheimer ...
  6. [6]
    Dean E. Preston '91 to Receive 2016 Common Good Award
    Feb 10, 2016 · An anthropology and economics major at Bowdoin, Preston was a Sarah and James Bowdoin Scholar, and graduated magna cum laude, before going on to ...Missing: background | Show results with:background
  7. [7]
    Dean Preston started a tenant rights group the same year his in-laws ...
    Jan 21, 2023 · Born and raised in New York City's Greenwich Village, Preston grew up in a co-op apartment building that his parents bought in the 1960s. As ...Missing: early background
  8. [8]
    Dean Preston to Start Statewide Tenant Organization - Beyond Chron
    Sep 20, 2007 · Dean was born and raised in New York City, where so many people live as renters their whole lives that you can't avoid tenants' rights issues.
  9. [9]
    From Activism to Elected Office: Supervisor Dean Preston and the ...
    May 9, 2024 · This article is adapted from an interview with Dean Preston, founder of Tenants Together and member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
  10. [10]
    Dean Preston - Former District 5 Supervisor, SF | LinkedIn
    Education · University of California, College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings). JD. 1993 - 1996 · Bowdoin College Graphic. Bowdoin College. B.A..Missing: background | Show results with:background<|control11|><|separator|>
  11. [11]
    “People Are Homeless Because of the Failure of Our Capitalist ...
    Dean Preston is a tenant organizer and candidate for District 5 member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in California. Meagan Day is a staff writer ...
  12. [12]
    San Francisco Socialist Dean Preston Debunks “YIMBY” Propaganda
    Nov 13, 2021 · ... Dean Preston has worked as a tenant rights activist and attorney for many years. He founded an organization called Tenants Together and ...
  13. [13]
    Security Deposits: It's Your Money - Tenants Together
    Tenants Together Executive Director Dean Preston reports on the failure of Democrats in the State Legislature to support protection of tenants' security ...
  14. [14]
    “It's Your Money” – Campaign Launches to ... - Tenants Together
    "Millions of dollars are being stolen from tenants every year," commented Dean Preston, Executive Director of Tenants Together, California's statewide ...
  15. [15]
    Rent Control toolkit | Tenants Together
    Including facts, policy analysis, communications, and campaign strategy. Principle Authors. Aimee Inglis, Associate Director. Dean Preston, Executive Director.
  16. [16]
    Paper Challenges Misguided Stanford Rent Control Study
    Tenants Together's new policy paper points out several flaws in the Stanford study's methodology, including underestimating the direct benefits of rent control ...
  17. [17]
    Leadership transition at Tenants Together
    Feb 25, 2016 · Thank you all for being part of Tenants Together and supporting our work. Dean Preston. Executive Director. Tenants Together, California's ...
  18. [18]
    Former Supervisor Dean Preston - District 5 - SFBOS.org
    Dean has lived in District 5 for over 20 years where his daughters also attend public school. Term. Elected November 05, 2019 for term December 17, 2019 to ...Missing: background | Show results with:background
  19. [19]
    Dean Preston holds slim lead over SF Supe Vallie Brown in D5 race
    Nov 6, 2019 · The race pitted Brown, a close ally of Mayor London Breed who received high-profile endorsements, against Preston, a would-be newcomer to City ...
  20. [20]
    Progressive Dean Preston squeaks out win over mayor's ally in ...
    Nov 10, 2019 · District Five Candidate Dean Preston speaks at his campaign watch party at Noir Lounge in Hayes Valley on November 05, 2019 in San Francisco, ...Missing: details date
  21. [21]
    Preston claims slim lead in District 5 supervisor race - SF Examiner
    Nov 5, 2019 · Vallie Brown began Tuesday night with a strong lead over opponent Dean Preston in the race to represent San Francisco's…
  22. [22]
    Dean Preston declares victory in San Francisco District 5 Supervisor ...
    Nov 9, 2019 · With a 170 vote lead, Preston became the first San Francisco Supervisor elected as a Democratic Socialist since 1980, when Harry Britt was ...<|separator|>
  23. [23]
    Preston Declares Victory, Brown Concedes In Close District 5 Supes ...
    Nov 14, 2019 · Dean Preston on Thursday declared victory in the close race for San Francisco District 5 Supervisor.Missing: details date
  24. [24]
    November 5, 2019 Final Election Results
    Nov 26, 2019 · Ballots cast, Percentage. JOEL VENTRESCA, 12,850, 7.25%. WILMA PANG, 4,675, 2.64%. ROBERT L. JORDAN, JR. 2,321, 1.31%.
  25. [25]
    Preston, Boudin are winners as vote-count nears finish - 48 Hills
    Nov 9, 2019 · Dean Preston declared victory today in the D5 supes race and Chesa Boudin was far enough ahead in the district attorney's race that he's certain to be the ...Missing: details date
  26. [26]
    [PDF] RCV Detail Report City and County of San Francisco November 3 ...
    Include disabled candidate rankings in overvote. False. Ties are resolved in accordance with election law. 12/01/2020 09:12:20. Page: 1 / 3 ...Missing: reelection | Show results with:reelection
  27. [27]
    Preston holds commanding lead in rematch for District 5 supervisor
    Nov 3, 2020 · ... election night ended Tuesday. Preston was ahead over his main opponent, former Supervisor Vallie Brown, with more than 51 percent of the ...
  28. [28]
    San Francisco / Board of Supervisors, District 5 / 2020 - rcv.report
    Dean Preston Vallie Brown Daniel Landry Eliminated in round 1 Nomvula O'Meara Eliminated in round 1. Runoff Rounds. This Sankey diagram shows the votes of ...
  29. [29]
    S.F. Board of Supervisors races: All results are called - SFGATE
    Nov 8, 2020 · Incumbents Aaron Peskin, Ahsha Safaí and Dean Preston will retain their seats for another four years, while Myrna Melgar in District Seven and ...Missing: opponents | Show results with:opponents
  30. [30]
    RCV Results for MEMBER, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, DISTRICT 5
    Ranked-Choice-Voting Round-by-Round Results MEMBER, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, DISTRICT 5 CONTEST November 5, 2024 Consolidated General Election
  31. [31]
    [PDF] RCV Detail Report City and County of San Francisco November 5 ...
    Include disabled candidate rankings in overvote. False. Ties are resolved in accordance with election law. 11/05/2024 23:22:00. Page: 1 / 3 ...
  32. [32]
    Dean Preston concedes likely defeat in San Francisco's District 5
    Nov 10, 2024 · Tech entrepreneur and “YIMBY” candidate Bilal Mahmood is poised to unseat District 5 supervisor Dean Preston, San Francisco's only democratic socialist now ...<|separator|>
  33. [33]
    Dean Preston Concedes SF District 5 Race to Bilal Mahmood, Blasts ...
    Nov 11, 2024 · Supervisor Dean Preston, one of San Francisco's most progressive politicians, has been pushed out of office, conceding the District 5 race to Bilal Mahmood.
  34. [34]
    Progressive SF Supervisors Run Into 'Anti-Incumbency Wave' in ...
    Nov 6, 2024 · All three of San Francisco's incumbent supervisors who are up for reelection are in tight races. Most likely to be ousted, it appears, ...
  35. [35]
    How Tenant's Candidate Dean Preston Lost - Westside Observer
    Under Breed's direction, the Redistricting Task Force removed a reliable progressive Inner Sunset, from District 5 and grafted the Tenderloin in.Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
  36. [36]
    S.F. redistricting likely cost Dean Preston, benefitted Myrna Melgar
    Nov 22, 2024 · The transfer of the Inner Sunset from District 5 to District 7 likely hamstrung Dean Preston, who lost in District 5.<|separator|>
  37. [37]
    City and County of San Francisco - File #: 210053 - Calendar
    Emergency ordinance to temporarily restrict landlords from evicting residential tenants for non-payment of rent that came due on or after July 1, 2021, in ...
  38. [38]
    Despite New Eviction Protections, Displacement Wave May Still Hit ...
    Jun 9, 2021 · “There is likely to be increased eviction activity starting in July,” said Supervisor Dean Preston, who authored the emergency legislation. “And ...Missing: bills | Show results with:bills
  39. [39]
    Thousands of San Francisco Residents Saved From Eviction by ...
    Apr 30, 2024 · In 2018, San Francisco voters passed Proposition F, which gives residential tenants access to legal representation within 30 days of receiving an eviction ...
  40. [40]
    New Legislation Would Require “10 Days' Notice to Cure” For Any ...
    Rating 4.9 (324) Feb 1, 2022 · Supervisor Dean Preston (D5) has introduced legislation “to require landlords pursuing certain types of evictions to first provide their ...
  41. [41]
    Advocacy - Legislation - San Francisco Apartment Association
    ... eviction protections in the Rent Ordinance are more protective than those found in State law pursuant to California Civil Code, Section 1946.2. Sponsor: Dean ...Missing: bills | Show results with:bills<|separator|>
  42. [42]
    Dean Preston's True Housing Record
    Supervisor Preston authored a ballot measure to authorize 10,000 units of social housing, including government-owned housing, which won with a commanding 74% of ...
  43. [43]
    California Voted Down Rent Control Twice. SF Is Fighting Over a ...
    Jul 2, 2024 · Dean Preston, the resolution's sponsor, fired back that Stefani's comments were reminiscent of scare tactics from landlord lobbies, which ...
  44. [44]
    [PDF] Legislation Introduced - SFBOS.org
    Nov 19, 2024 · From: Supervisor Dean Preston. To: The Office of the Mayor. Requests: The acquisition of the Webster Street Safeway lot for Affordable Housing ...
  45. [45]
    [PDF] CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO BOARD OF ...
    Mar 15, 2022 · Each Ellis Act eviction can affect multiple individuals since a notice is issued on the unit, each of which can house multiple tenants. ▫ As an ...
  46. [46]
    City and County of San Francisco - File #: 200375 - Calendar
    Title: Ordinance amending the Administrative Code to prohibit landlords from evicting residential tenants for non-payment of rent ... Dean Preston, Hillary Ronen, ...Missing: bills | Show results with:bills
  47. [47]
    [PDF] Legislation Introduced - San Francisco - Board of Supervisors |
    Jan 30, 2024 · $1,200,000,000 in cuts to affordable housing programs and to fulfill Fair Housing ... From: Supervisors Dean Preston and Shamann Walton. To: ...
  48. [48]
    San Fran politician blames capitalism for city's drug, homelessness ...
    Dec 12, 2023 · Supervisor Dean Preston claims economic misdirection has led to a larger homeless population in the city's Tenderloin neighborhood ...Missing: positions | Show results with:positions
  49. [49]
    Why San Francisco Doesn't Solve Its Homelessness & Drug Problems
    Jun 3, 2025 · Explore the flawed approach of San Francisco's politicians in addressing homelessness and behavioral health ... Dean Preston. About · Blog · In ...
  50. [50]
    Power Grab: Mayor Lurie is Trying to Rewrite Prop C to Take Funds ...
    Jul 5, 2025 · San Francisco voters made their vision clear in 2018: a future where our homeless neighbors are supported by permanent solutions rooted in ...
  51. [51]
    https://www.deanprestonsf.com/press-releases/vsxqtuqmlwlqb6otf6cw5ze7qsw4n7
  52. [52]
    https://www.deanprestonsf.com/press-releases/3o85v66w6tcc4ty4fik5fhms14g9k8
  53. [53]
    San Francisco supervisors pass RV parking restrictions, reapportion ...
    Jul 25, 2025 · DOZENS OF SAN FRANCISCO community members gathered in all-black, funeral-like outfits chanting “fight, fight, fight, housing is a human ...
  54. [54]
    S.F. supervisor pushes for big increase in affordable housing spending
    Jun 16, 2022 · San Francisco Supervisor Dean Preston has a new strategy to boost affordable housing that would set aside $135 million through a combination ...Missing: public | Show results with:public
  55. [55]
    Preston and Breed square off over affordable housing funds
    Mayor London Breed and Supervisor Dean Preston are facing off over how to allocate Prop. I funds. The measure was intended to generate funds for affordable ...
  56. [56]
    Audit reveals San Francisco has $482M in unspent affordable ...
    Apr 6, 2023 · Audit reveals San Francisco has $482M in unspent affordable housing funds ... Supervisor Dean Preston requested the hearing during the ...Missing: votes | Show results with:votes
  57. [57]
    Supes to vote on Billionaire Budget deal amid protests over housing ...
    Jul 7, 2025 · Dean Preston voted (alone) against Mayor London Breed's budget, and this time around, members are going to under pressure on numerous fronts.
  58. [58]
    https://www.deanprestonsf.com/press-releases/psapneq66x2ohr5gk082fmyt2wo3mi
  59. [59]
    S.F. Mayor Breed, Supervisor Preston clash over public safety plans
    Mar 14, 2023 · S.F. Mayor Breed gets pushback over overtime police spending plan from Supervisor Dean Preston, who wants $10 million for police ...
  60. [60]
    Watch how the $25 million SFPD overtime debate went down
    Mar 23, 2023 · District 5 Supervisor Dean Preston accuses the requested budget proposal of being an SFPD bailout on the heels of rampant overspending. 'The ...
  61. [61]
    Breed Signs $15.9 Billion SF Budget That Boosts Police Funding ...
    Aug 1, 2024 · The supervisors voted 10–1 to approve the budget, with Supervisor Dean Preston as the lone vote against it. Chan said the downtown funds fell ...
  62. [62]
    Board of Supervisors vote 9-2 to approve $25.3 million budget ...
    Jul 1, 2024 · The board approved the budget by a vote of 9-2, with District 5 Supervisor Dean Preston and District 10 Supervisor Shamann Walton voting in ...
  63. [63]
    S.F. supervisors approve $14 billion budget that preserves Breed's ...
    Jul 20, 2022 · Supervisor Dean Preston was the lone dissenter, repeating his decision to vote against the budget last year. Just as in 2021, Preston cited ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  64. [64]
    Police department budget up 4.4% since 2019, despite SF officials ...
    Oct 13, 2022 · In late September 2020, Supervisor Dean Preston got heat from reform activists for voting for a budget that doesn't fire police officers. Yet ...
  65. [65]
    Dean Preston blames capitalism for San Francisco's problems
    Dec 12, 2023 · Preston is interviewed in a new documentary about San Francisco's homelessness and drug crises. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle. Supervisor Dean ...Missing: achievements controversies
  66. [66]
    Breed Has Had It With Preston as the Two Square Off Over Drug ...
    Jun 14, 2023 · Preston made it known publicly as soon as Breed announced the new Intoxication Detention program last month that he is no fan of arresting ...
  67. [67]
    Supervisor proposes public health solutions for rampant drug use in ...
    Sep 23, 2022 · Preston said policing and prosecution certainly have a role to play going forward, but the problem needs to be looked at holistically.Missing: views | Show results with:views
  68. [68]
    Meet the District 5 candidates: What do you think of Proposition E?
    Feb 27, 2024 · District 5 candidates Dean Preston, Bilal Mahmood, and Allen Jones express doubts about a police ballot measure.
  69. [69]
    Dean Preston - Supervisor, District 5 - GrowSF
    Preston's other priorities include public transit, imposing restrictions on landlords, and defunding the police. Sign up for GrowSF's weekly roundup of ...Missing: tenant | Show results with:tenant
  70. [70]
    Preston proposes measure to double tax on higher-end property ...
    May 4, 2020 · Supervisor Dean Preston plans to ask voters this November to double the tax on the sale of properties in San Francisco valued at $10 million or more.
  71. [71]
    San Francisco Proposes Doubling Transfer Tax for Certain Real ...
    Oct 8, 2020 · The ballot measure was proposed by San Francisco Supervisor Dean Preston, with current support from five other members of the San Francisco ...Missing: legislation | Show results with:legislation
  72. [72]
    https://sfstandard.com/housing-development/san-francisco-property-owners-file-lawsuit-challenging-vacancy-tax/
  73. [73]
    San Francisco Mayor, Supervisors Introduce Tax Measures to Fill ...
    Jun 16, 2020 · "Any corporation can avoid this tax by adopting more equitable pay structures," said District 5 supervisor Dean Preston. "And if you don't, ...Missing: legislation | Show results with:legislation
  74. [74]
    SF supe introduces legislation to create first city-run 'public bank'
    Jan 27, 2021 · A city-run financial institution that would provide low-interest loans to small businesses and to public-benefit projects, like affordable housing.
  75. [75]
    Advocates File Empty Homes Tax, Estimated to ... - Dean Preston
    Feb 8, 2025 · “The Empty Homes Tax will incentivize property owners to do the right thing and turn vacant units into places San Franciscans can call home.”.
  76. [76]
    https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/bayarea/heatherknight/article/san-francisco-housing-17408816.php
  77. [77]
    San Francisco Prop K - City-Owned Affordable Housing - SPUR
    This measure would specifically allow the City and County of San Francisco to acquire, build or rehabilitate up to 10,000 units of subsidized affordable housing ...
  78. [78]
    New Report Proves SF Can Fund and Build Its Own Housing
    Dec 16, 2024 · As San Francisco works to deliver 46,000 new affordable homes under its Housing Element, the report on municipally sponsored social housing ...Missing: zoning | Show results with:zoning
  79. [79]
    San Francisco, California, Proposition K, Affordable Housing ...
    Shall the City have the authority to own, develop, construct, acquire or rehabilitate up to 10,000 units of low-income rental housing in San Francisco? ” Ballot ...
  80. [80]
    [PDF] city and county of san francisco - Department of Elections
    Please join us and Vote Yes on K. Supervisor Dean Preston, Author. San Francisco Democratic Party. Affordable Housing Alliance. San Francisco ...
  81. [81]
    What's so dangerous about more shelter beds? - Mission Local
    Jul 12, 2025 · Next week, the Board of Supervisors will vote on proposed changes to Prop. C, diverting funding from one homeless program to another.
  82. [82]
    San Francisco Supervisor Launches Ballot Campaign To Tax ...
    Feb 9, 2022 · Modeled after a similar law in Vancouver, San Francisco Supervisor Dean Preston has launched efforts to place a measure on the November 2022 ...
  83. [83]
    Press Releases - Dean Preston
    The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously voted in favor of District 5 Supervisor Dean Preston's resolution to support Proposition 6, a state ballot ...<|separator|>
  84. [84]
    Everyone is wrong in the Bay Area housing debate - SFGATE
    Jan 8, 2024 · The Chronicle story based off the YIMBY group's report argues Preston rejected housing because he pushed for additional reviews resulting in ...
  85. [85]
    Dean Preston's Housing Graveyard
    Preston opposed laws that built subsidized homes for 4,037 San Franciscans. Preston is known nationwide for exploiting progressive values to justify blocking ...
  86. [86]
    SF's Dean Preston Faces Criticism Over Affordable Housing ... - KQED
    Oct 14, 2024 · Housing is a top concern for San Francisco voters as the city faces pressure to build tens of thousands of units by 2031.Missing: zoning | Show results with:zoning<|separator|>
  87. [87]
    Dean Preston accused of lying about housing record in lawsuit
    Jun 25, 2024 · The head of a pro-housing nonprofit claims the city supervisor lied about bringing in 30000 new housing units.
  88. [88]
    'It's absurd': Supervisor Dean Preston says state review won't help ...
    Aug 12, 2022 · San Francisco Supervisor Dean Preston, pictured here, argues HCD has approached its review with only market-rate housing in mind. Laura Waxmann.
  89. [89]
    Judge tosses Yimby suit, dismisses claims about Preston's housing ...
    Jul 31, 2024 · Preston has, indeed, opposed some of the Yimby agenda, which included SB 35, and has suggested that market-rate housing is not going to solve ...
  90. [90]
    https://medium.com/@gh1/winning-affordable-housing-on-divisadero-b86ace1b8e28
  91. [91]
    https://sfplanning.org/sites/default/files/documents/devagreements/UCSF_Parnassus/ucsf_parn_mou_final.pdf
  92. [92]
    https://sfplanning.org/project/pipeline-report
  93. [93]
    https://www.sfchronicle.com/local-politics/article/How-an-S-F-real-estate-tax-turned-into-a-16219906.php
  94. [94]
    Exploring the promise — and unintended consequences — of rent ...
    Jun 21, 2018 · “It interferes with the market, and it results in shortages of housing.” 'A political choice'. Dean Preston is executive director of Tenants ...
  95. [95]
    https://www.sfexaminer.com/archives/wiener-calls-sf-supervisors-vote-against-sb50-a-sad-day/article_275019c7-59da-5885-882a-42fe0237cd91
  96. [96]
    Dean Preston’s Housing Graveyard
    ### Summary of Dean Preston's Opposition to Housing Projects
  97. [97]
    Dump Dean Preston | GrowSF.org
    Jul 1, 2023 · We firmly believe that Supervisor Preston's policies and actions have shown a disregard for fiscal responsibility, sustainable growth, public safety, and ...Missing: achievements controversies
  98. [98]
    https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/Breed-s-Tenderloin-emergency-for-overdose-16727026.php
  99. [99]
    'He's a mean person': San Francisco's spiciest political feud explodes
    Apr 18, 2023 · San Francisco is famous for its political feuds, and the most engrossing beef at the moment involves District 5 Supervisor Dean Preston and ...Missing: conflicts | Show results with:conflicts
  100. [100]
    https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1707725140618858935
  101. [101]
    Inside SF's most expensive supervisor's race. Can tech money oust ...
    Aug 16, 2024 · Dean Preston faces a challenger backed by big money and sizable support. Can SF's most lefty supervisor overcome tech funding?
  102. [102]
    DSA SF Endorses Dean Preston for District 5 Supervisor in 2024
    Sep 25, 2023 · Our Chapter is proud to announce our endorsement for our member Dean Preston's 2024 re-election campaign for District 5 Supervisor.
  103. [103]
    ENDORSEMENT: Dean Preston, San Francisco champion
    Jan 1, 2024 · DSA proudly joins DSA San Francisco in re-endorsing Dean Preston for San Francisco Supervisor, District 5. Dean has drawn the ire of some of ...Missing: affiliation | Show results with:affiliation
  104. [104]
    Dean Preston
    A Democratic Socialist Pushing for a More Equitable San Francisco. Both as a legislator and activist, Dean has repeatedly challenged the billionaires to pay ...
  105. [105]
    Exit interview: Dean Preston reflects on challenges, disinformation
    Jan 2, 2025 · Outgoing San Francisco supervisor Dean Preston looks back on his time in office and the major issues facing District 5 and the city.Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
  106. [106]
    Retrospective - Dean Preston
    About · Blog · In the News · Contact · Press Releases · Statements. See the Retrospective to Learn about 5 years of Socialist Policies in San Francisco.
  107. [107]
    Silicon Valley vs. San Francisco Socialists - Jacobin
    Mar 29, 2025 · On the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, socialist Dean Preston championed policies that tackled the gross inequality Silicon Valley brought to the city.
  108. [108]
    SF supervisor candidate Dean Preston to 'rogue' landlords
    sometimes failing, sometimes ...
  109. [109]
    Why is the Chron so freaked out about Socialism? - 48 Hills
    Dec 17, 2023 · Dean Preston, a proud Democratic Socialist, saying that capitalism ... Democratic Socialism is about today. First: Even most socialists ...
  110. [110]
    Supervisor Dean Preston concedes San Francisco District 5 race
    Nov 10, 2024 · Supervisor Dean Preston announced Sunday he conceded the San Francisco District 5 race. Preston took to the social media platform Instagram to thank his staff.
  111. [111]
    Supervisor Dean Preston loses to Bilal Mahmood in District 5 race
    Nov 11, 2024 · In a stunning upset, Supervisor Dean Preston lost to moderate challenger Bilal Mahmood on Monday in the race to represent San Francisco's District 5.Missing: 2020 | Show results with:2020
  112. [112]
    In San Francisco's Local Elections, It's Big Money Against ... - KQED
    Nov 4, 2024 · While San Francisco's mayoral race is likely the most expensive in at least 20 years, money is also pouring into Board of Supervisors elections.
  113. [113]
    San Francisco's left licks its wounds - POLITICO
    Feb 27, 2025 · Pedestrians cross the street in front of City Hall in San Francisco. San Francisco, traditionally the bastion of liberal politics in America, ...<|separator|>
  114. [114]
    SF primary election results: Is the city still progressive?
    Mar 6, 2024 · San Francisco progressives are split on how to regain power, who should lead them and how they should change to win back voters.
  115. [115]
    Small Business — Dean Preston for District 5 Supervisor
    Dean is the only former small business owner on the Board of Supervisors. He was previously a co-owner of Cafe Du Nord, an historic music venue in San ...