Candidate Name: Mano Raju
Phone Number: 310-863-1432
Web site: www.votemano.com
E-mail: yasmeenkhan@votemano.com
Name of Campaign Manager: Yasmeen Khan
Signed voluntary spending limit: Not Applicable
Major Endorsements: League of Pissed Off Voters, Matt Gonzalez, Jackie Fielder, Tom Ammiano
Who did you endorse for Mayor in 2019 (all 3 choices, if applicable):
I did not make any endorsements in the 2019 Mayoral election.
1) Who else have you endorsed in other contests?
City College candidates Susan Solomon, Anita Martinez, and Vicky Chung.
District 4 Supervisor Gordon Mar.
2) What do you think of the Death Penalty?
The death penalty should not exist, and it is absolutly heartbreaking to live in a society where innocent people - more often times black and brown - are victims of government-sanctioned murder. The death penalty is perhaps the greatest example of America's broken criminal justice system, and eliminating would be a necessary step in providing equal justice for all.
3) How would you support the work of the Innocence Commission?
Having a district attorney who fails to support the Innocence Commission doesn't take away my ability to spotlight the continued police and prosecutorial misconduct that leads to unlawful and unjust sentences here in San Francisco. There are laws in place that allow my trial attorneys to seek re-sentencing, and even without the agreement or stipulation of the District Attorney, I'll continue to advocate for justice and call out my counterpart to do the right thing.
4) We understand the Public Defender's office has a limited budget and
staff. How would you address the current backlog of open criminal
cases in San Francisco?
Historically, the Public Defender's Office has always faced this problem of a limited budget which has been exacerbated with the pandemic's backlog. We pride ourselves on being more prepared and better skilled trial attorneys than our district attorney opponents. Never have I seen my staff rise to the challenge more so than during this pandemic where many clients still languish in custody, awaiting jury trials. I'll continue to fight for more trial attorneys and I'll continue to collaborate with justice partners to pressure the Superior Court to open all the courtrooms.
5) How should the Sheriff's Office address the extreme staffing
shortage?
The Sheriff's Office needs to focus on community supervision, rather than the incarceration of our community.
6) What do you think of closing 850 Bryant?
Outside of my belief that humans do not belong in jails, everyone agrees that the outdated facilities of 850 Bryant are no longer sanitary, safe and appropriate for its original purpose.
7) What do you think of SF closing our Juvenile Hall?
Closing the school to prison pipeline starts with closing Juvenile Hall, which has been long overdue.
8) What do you think of current police staffing levels?
We need to stop investing in the militarization of our local police force, and shift their focus on community policing, which builds trust with marginalized communities and saves money.
9) Do you believe body cameras are working to prevent police
misconduct in San Francisco?
Yes.
10) How would you use extra funding bestowed upon the Public Defender's
office? What do you think are the greatest areas of need?
Expand trial staff as well as increasing outreach and reentry services.
Your positions (at the time) on selected current and past Propositions
(skip any for which you didn't live or vote in SF, or didn't take
a position at the time)?
+ - :
[ x ] [ ] [ ] June 2022 Prop A (General Bond)
[ x ] [ ] [ ] June 2022 Prop C (Recall Reform)
[ ] [ ] [ x ] June 2022 Prop H (Boudin Recall)
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Nov 2020 Prop G (16-17 y.o. voting, local elections)
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Nov 2020 Prop I (Real Estate Transfer Tax)
[ x ] [ ] [ ] June 2018 Prop F (Eviction Defense)
[ ] [ ] [ x ] June 2018 Prop H (Tasers for SFPD)
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Nov 2016 Prop D (Vacancy appointments)
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Nov 2016 Prop N (Non-citizen voting, school board)
[ ] [ ] [ x ] Nov 2016 Prop Q (Prohibiting tents on public sidewalks)
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Nov 2016 Prop 62 (Ending Death Penalty)
Due Date: Sat, Sep 3, 11:59 pm.
Please submit by email to cc@sfgreens.org. For more information, call
Barry Hermanson at 415-255-9494. Please return your answers in plain
text (not HTML, PDF, or Word format), so that we can post all
candidates' answers in the same format.
The SF Green Party will invite all candidates who return completed
questionnaires on time to speak and answer questions at our candidate
forum and endorsement meeting (scheduled for Wed, Sep 7 from 6:30 - 9
pm). Please note the earlier start time. We hope to finish all
candidate interviews by around 8. If you need to schedule a
particular time slot, or if you are unable to make the meeting, please
be in touch with us at cc@sfgreens.org. Otherwise, we'll interview
candidates as you arrive. This will be a hybrid meeting, so you may
also talk to us via Zoom if you prefer. Our forum and endorsement
meeting will take place at the Redstone Building, on the third floor
(room TBA). The Redstone is located at 2940 16th Street (between
Mission and South Van Ness, 1 block from 16th St BART).
Completed questionnaires will be posted on our website,
http://sfgreenparty.org.