Instructions:
1. There are 10 sections to this questionnaire. Each section
corresponds with the 10 Key Values of the Green Party.
2. Each section begins with a written question and ends with several
multiple-choice questions. Please don't skip the written question.
3. The multiple-choice questions are answered by checking the box in the
appropriate column to indicate which is closest to your position:
+ = Support / Agree / Yes
- = Oppose / Disagree / No
? = Undecided / Don't know / No opinion
4. The world is too complex to always break down neatly into
yes/no/maybe choices, so feel free to clarify any answers to multiple
choice questions with a few words.
Candidate Name: Shamann Walton
Phone Number: 707-332-3225
Web site: shamannwalton.com
E-mail: shamannwalton@sbcglobal.net
Name of Campaign Contact: Jessica Lovejoy
Are you receiving public financing: No
Signed voluntary spending limit: N/A
2nd, 3rd endorsements in District: N/A
Major Endorsements:
Nancy Pelosi, U.S. Representative of California's 12th District and Speaker of the House
Gavin Newsom, Governor of California
Scott Wiener, California State Senator
Matt Haney, California State Assemblymember
Phil Ting, California State Assemblymember
Connie Chan, San Francisco District 1 Supervisor
Catherine Stefani, San Francisco District 2 Supervisor
Aaron Peskin, San Francisco District 3 Supervisor
Gordon Mar, San Francisco District 4 Supervisor
Dean Preston, San Francisco District 5 Supervisor
Myrna Melgar, San Francisco District 7 Supervisor
Rafael Mandelman, San Francisco District 8 Supervisor
Hillary Ronen, San Francisco District 9 Supervisor
Ahsha Safai, San Francisco District 11 Supervisor
Alice B. Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club
Committee of Interns and Residents SEIU Healthcare
Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club
IFPTE Local 21
ILWU Northern California District Council
Laborers Local 261
League of Pissed Off Voters
Operating Engineers Local 3
Plumbers & Steamfitters 38
Potrero Hill Democratic Club
Rose Pak Democratic Club
SEIU 2015
SEIU United Healthcare Workers West
San Francisco Berniecrats
San Francisco Democratic Party
San Francisco Fire Fighters Local 798
San Francisco Labor Council
San Francisco Latinx Democratic Club
San Francisco Pacific Islander Democratic Club
San Francisco Tenants Union
San Francisco Women's Political Committee
San Francisco Young Democrats
Sierra Club
Teamsters Joint Council 7
UNITE HERE Local 2
Working Families Party
For full endorsement list please visit: https://shamannwalton.com/endorsements/
Incumbent Supervisor whose votes most reflect your values:
Incumbent whose votes least reflect your values:
If the election were held today, who would you support as Board President:
Who would be your second and third choices:
Who did you endorse for Mayor in 2019 (all 3 choices, if applicable):
1) Grassroots Democracy: What are your thoughts on Instant Runoff
Voting, and District Elections? How have they worked to date? What
would you change in the future?
+ - ?
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Sub-government such as Neighborhood Assemblies, Networks or District Councils
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Some commissions should be democratically elected
[ ] [ - ] [ ] The Mayor should appoint all commissioners
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Voters' right to recall elected officials
[ ] [ -] [ ] Ethics Commission should be disbanded
[ ] [ -] [ ] Ethics Commission meetings should be televised
[ ] [ ] [ ?] Ethics Commission should prioritize investigating violations from well-funded campaigns
[ ] [ - ] [ ] My campaign accepts corporate contributions
[ ] [ - ] [ ] My campaign accepts contributions from paid lobbyists or related entities having any interest in City and County of San Francisco
2) Ecological Wisdom: Please outline your view of the major
environmental and ecological issues facing San Francisco and your
proposed policies to address them.
The southeastern part of San Francisco has historically been disproportionately affected by environmental injustice. Our neighborhoods, which have the most low-income and working-class residents in the entire City, bear the brunt of San Francisco's environmental issues. We have the most industrial facilities, truck routes, a sewage treatment plant that treats over 80% of San Francisco's wastewater, as well as the biggest polluter, the Hunter's Point Naval Shipyard. I believe these environmental issues in District 10 are civil rights issues, and I have an unwavering dedication to addressing this reality.
It is imperative that California's cities address the climate crisis beginning in our own communities. I will fight for environmental justice, invest in public parks and green spaces, and invest in public transit in San Francisco.
We must also address the public health and equity issue of air pollution. I have worked with the City Attorney to shut down illegal construction companies who were polluting the Candlestick neighborhood with dust and debris causing widespread air quality concerns. I am working with the SFMTA to reexamine and divert truck routes that are going through low-income neighborhoods. I am also a member of the Bay Area Air Quality Management Board, which oversees air quality policies for the entire Bay Area.
I have been a major proponent of the City purchasing PG&E's assets to ensure we can provide the cleanest energy possible for San Francisco. I also would like to expand SFPUC's CleanPowerSF, a model for electricity that I have always supported. I believe that education is key to implementing this programs and we must prioritize community outreach to expand residents' awareness.
+ - ?
[ +] [ ] [ ] Phasing out all diesel buses (e.g., Muni, tour, shuttles)
[ +] [ ] [ ] Public Power with 100% local/regional clean energy mandate
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Install local/regional clean energy, efficiency, and battery storage to supply 100% of our electricity by 2035
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Reducing or eliminating parking minimums in new housing and commercial developments
[ ] [ ] [ ] In the Bayview and on Treasure Island, halt all US Navy land transfers to the city or developers, and halt all development, until all sites are retested and cleaned to Residential Standards
[ ] [ ] [ ] Natural Areas Program
[ ] [ ] [ ] Tree Removals
[ ] [ ] [ ] Use of herbicides in public parks
[ ] [ ] [ ] Addition of SF Groundwater to City's potable supply
[ ] [ ] [ ] Artificial turf on City-owned athletic fields
[ ] [ ] [ ] Managed retreat, Coastal Zone protection, and restoring wetlands in response to Global Warming
3) Social Justice:
A) What is your assessment of homelessness in San Francisco, and what
solutions do you propose?
As Supervisor I have championed legislation to address homelessness in San Francisco through the following ways, and plan to continue to support:
Adding SAFE Navigation Centers to every district in San Francisco
Increasing funding for housing support, stabilization and homeownership, including through the Dream Keeper Initiative which aims to remedy racially disparate policies
Completing more affordable housing developments, including the first affordable housing development at Potrero Hill Residential Housing under Hope SF
Hotel rooms for individuals that are unhoused and unable to shelter-in-place during the COVID-19 pandemic
Eviction controls and relocation payments for tenants living in buildings built after 1979
In my district alone, we currently have 3 navigation centers, a safe sleeping site, RV site, and a vehicle triage center. We are working on expanding these centers but we also need other districts to share the responsibility of housing our unhoused.
Public housing tenants have had to deal with squalor, delayed maintenance responses, isolation, bad transportation options, lack of amenities, pests, and lack of connection to the rest of San Francisco. I have been a long term supporter and advocate for the remodeling of major public housing sites in District 10 (through Hope SF, which remodels and renovates public housing in Potrero Hill, Alice Griffith, Hunters View, and Sunnydale). I have helped secure funding, ensured displacement is not an option, and continuously make sure residents are employed to work on projects in their very own community.
+ - ?
[ +] [ ] [ ] Project Homeless Connect
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Care Not Cash
[ +] [ ] [ ] Community courts
[ +] [ ] [ ] Healthy SF
[ +] [ ] [ ] SF's sick leave requirements
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Law against sitting down on SF sidewalks
[ + ] [ ] [ ] I support more homeless navigation centers in my district
B) What are your views on housing affordability, what public sector
strategies have worked, which have failed, and what are your proposals?
I advocate for building 100% affordable housing and holding developers responsible for community benefit packages that support walkability, mixed-use, and environmental concerns.
As District 10 Supervisor I also established legislation for the right to return, giving former residents of public housing projects who've been displaced the right to return to their prior homes. Our legislation prioritizes former HOPE SF residents in what used to be the Hunters View, Alice Griffith, Sunnydale, and Potrero Hill housing projects. For far too long, public housing residents â€" particularly Black San Franciscans who have been disproportionately affected by decades of redevelopment and gentrification â€" have been pushed out of San Francisco. Bringing back families and residents to their original neighborhoods will help communities return to the diverse, vibrant hubs they once wereâ€" and help ensure that families can remain rooted in the communities they helped build for generations to come.
+ - ?
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Building more market rate housing will lower housing costs for current SF residents
[ +] [ ] [ ] Impacts of all new development should be paid for in advance by fees on developers
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Housing as a right
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Community Land Trusts, Housing Co-ops
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Rent Control is too strong
[+ ] [ ] [ ] Elected Rent Board
[ ] [ - ] [ ] HOME-SF (density bonus program)
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Social Housing (similar to https://www.sfcommunityhousingact.com/)
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Ban on Airbnb and other short term rentals
[+ ] [ ] [ ] Require full disclosure of all corporate/speculative interests in parties purchasing/developing property
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Vacancy tax on empty homes
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Flipping taxes on housing speculation
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Pied-a-terre Tax on residential property owners who do not reside in SF
[ ] [- ] [ ] Condo conversion is currently too difficult
4) Nonviolence: What are your solutions for SFPD accountability while
making the streets safer?
There has never been more urgency to find effective, community-led public safety solutions to reduce the disproportionately high rates of homicides, violent crimes, and gun violence in our District 10 neighborhoods: the Bayview, Crocker Amazon, Excelsior, Outer Mission, Visitacion Valley, Portola, Silver Terrace, Mission Terrace, Hunters Point, Bayview Heights, Candlestick Point, and Little Hollywood.
That's why I met with community-based organizations, town halls, and residents to create a new, comprehensive community process called the District 10 Community Safety Planâ€" a much-needed plan to expedite solutions to this senseless and tragic violence. We've put together neighborhood-specific priorities and strategies, and are continuing to work tirelessly to make sure leaders across the City hear us loudly and clearly: this is an urgent, moral crisis that must be prioritized for the entire City. Below are a few of the priority action items we've identified in the Plan:
Elevating the role of the City in implementing public safety strategies
Establishing monthly violence prevention convenings for D10 residents
Reimagining what community mobilization and peace-planning efforts look like
Also, the Sheriff's Department lacked transparency and oversight, racking up case after case of misconduct, mistreatment, and abuse - as well as racially disproportionate use of force by deputies. That's why I set up the first Citywide Sheriff's Oversight Board and Office of Inspector General to increase accountability over the San Francisco Sheriff's Department by introducing and successfully leading the passage of Proposition D. in 2020. This was modeled off of similarly successful programs across the state and based on insights from experts on law enforcement oversight to individuals in custody at jail sites. The new, 7-member Civilian Review Board and Inspector General will have the power to investigate the death of any individual in the Department's custody, develop a use-of-force policy and comprehensive review process for all use-of-force and critical incidents, and conduct community outreach to hear public input regarding operations and jail conditions.
+ - ?
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Prioritize SFPD enforcement of moving violations
[+ ] [ ] [ ] Support expansion of foot patrols
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Demand stricter accountability in future MOUs with the SFPD
[ + ] [ ] [ ] The Board of Supervisors should be able to set policies and priorities for the SFPD through legislation
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Support a public safety program modeled after NYC's "Stop and Frisk"
[ +] [ ] [ ] Prosecution of SFPD Officers involved in violet attacks on, and fatal shooting deaths of, SF residents and visitors
[ + ] [ ] [ ] End cash bail for nonviolent crimes
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Cut police funding and increase social program spending to better address root causes of crime
5) Decentralization: What are your thoughts on the Kaufman Charter
of 1996? Does it need revisiting?
+ - ?
[ ] [ ] [ ?] Bring the Housing Authority under the Board of Supervisors
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Will you create formal district councils to advise you?
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Charter amendment allowing voters to choose the replacement of an elected official being recalled on the same ballot as the recall vote
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Immediately implement open-source voting system on the local level
6) Community Based Economics: What economic policies, including
taxation and land use, would you propose that would drive capital into
our communities and keep that capital here for residents?
+ - ?
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Legislation limiting formula retail outlets/chain stores
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Conditional Use permit required for big box stores
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Municipal broadband as a public utility
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Neighborhood cooperatives prioritized as a local supply chain for legalized marijuana
[ + ] [ ] [ ] I support recreational marijuana stores opening in my district
[ +] [ ] [ ] Local hiring requirements should be enforced and expanded to include private projects
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Strong preference for union jobs
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Conversion of some golf courses into soccer fields
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Conversion of some golf courses into wild open space
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Prop 13 limits on tax increases should apply only to residential properties
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Commercial Rent Control
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Transition all residential and small business rental
properties into not-for-profit trusts and co-ops
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Vacancy and flipping taxes on local small business property
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Transaction/Flipping taxes on all asset speculation to increase city budget
[ + ] [ ] [ ] San Francisco Public Bank by 2025
7) Feminism: Do you believe women are underrepresented in city
government? If so, why do you believe this is the case? Is this a
bad thing, and if so, what would you do to remedy the situation?
+ - ?
[ + ] [ ] [ ] The City should help SFUSD provide child care for children of working parents
[ + ] [ ] [ ] The DPH should provide reproductive health services to both residents and visitors
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Require parental consent for minors seeking an abortion
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Require parental notification for minors seeking an abortion
8) Respect for Diversity: Tell us what you believe are the best and the
worst aspects of San Francisco's diversity. How would you try to
protect the best while trying to change the worst?
+ - ?
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Multilingual government and public education
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Undocumented immigrants should have equal access to education and health care
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Non-citizen residents should be able to vote in all local elections
[ +] [ ] [ ] Full rights for transgender and non-gender-binary persons
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Boards and commissions now reflect the ethnic diversity of San Francisco
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Boards and commissions now reflect the political diversity of San Francisco
[ + ] [ ] [ ] My campaign reflects the diversity of San Francisco
9) Global and Personal Responsibility:
A) What are your thoughts on the
Board of Supervisors taking positions on state, national and
international issues?
+ - ?
[ ] [ - ] [ ] City government cooperating with the PATRIOT Act
[ ] [ - ] [ ] City government cooperating with ICE/Secure Communities
[ ] [ ] [ ? ] City government should boycott Israel until it complies with UN resolutions and international law
[ ] [ ] [? ] SF supervisors should take a position on offshore oil drilling outside CA
B) Please describe how you make your political decisions. What is the
main basis for your decision making (e.g., consultation with your
constituents, political consultants, colleagues, unions, businesses,
donors, or your gut feelings)?
+ - ?
[ ] [ ] [ ? ] Fleet Week and the Blue Angels flyover
[ + ] [ ] [ ] In a severe recession, environmental regulations should be suspended to create jobs
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Business taxes are too high
10) Sustainability: What does the Transit First City Charter provision
mean to you? How has Transit First fared in recent years, and how would
you enforce that Charter Provision if elected?
+ - ?
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Muni should be funded sufficiently to replace most car use, and be free to the rider
[ +] [ ] [ ] Downtown Transit Assessment Tax to support Muni
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Citywide Transit Assessment Tax to support Muni
[ ] [ - ] [ ] More weekend closures of streets in/near my district to cars (e.g., Car-Free GGP)
[ ] [ - ] [ ] State law change that lets bicycles treat stop signs as yield signs and red lights as stop signs
[ ] [ - ] [ ] I ride Muni, bicycle and/or walk instead of driving on a regular basis
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Bus Rapid Transit expanded to all major transit corridors in SF
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Car hailing services like Uber and Lyft should be regulated as taxis, or banned
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Scooter/similar vehicle rentals should be required to store vehicles on private property
[ ] [ ] [ ] Allow residents to park on the sidewalk without getting a ticket, unless their neighbors complain
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Congestion pricing for parking
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Power more City vehicles using biofuels (e.g., corn-based ethanol)
[ ] [ ] [ ] Residents should be allowed to park in the street in front of their own driveway for free
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Support expanding parking meter hours to include later evening hours and weekends
[ ] [ ] [? ] Remove parking spots and car lanes to create dedicated bike and bus lanes or wider sidewalks
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):
+ - ?
[ + ] [ ] [ ] June 2022 Prop A (General Bond)
[ + ] [ ] [ ] June 2022 Prop C (Recall Reform)
[ ] [ - ] [ ] June 2022 Prop H (Boudin Recall)
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Nov 2020 Prop G (16-17 y.o. voting, local elections)
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Nov 2020 Prop I (Real Estate Transfer Tax)
[ + ] [ ] [ ] June 2018 Prop F (Eviction Defense)
[ ] [ - ] [ ] June 2018 Prop H (Tasers for SFPD)
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Nov 2016 Prop D (Vacancy appointments)
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Nov 2016 Prop N (Non-citizen voting, school board)
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Nov 2016 Prop Q (Prohibiting tents on public sidewalks)
[ + ] [ ] [ ] 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).