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Act 12: Supporting a Friend and School Board Candidate


Last night I attended a meeting of the Democratic County Central Committee (DCCC) in San Francisco to show my support of Stevon Cook, a friend of mine who is running for school board. I know Stevon because we were in the same City Hall Fellows cohort in 2008-2009. It's hard to believe it was so long ago!

This endorsement meeting was a whole new experience for me in a lot of ways. First of all, I did not know the DCCC existed, or that it is the governing body of San Francisco's Democratic Party. I also had no idea what an endorsement meeting would be like. Turns out they are very popular events. It was standing room only last night, and it took me over half an hour to get in the door because of long lines and security. Everyone wanted to be there to support or denounce certain candidates and local propositions. The public comment process was wearisome (as they often are!), and it seemed to me that it did not make any difference in swaying the committee members since they are only human and probably could not focus on such a long parade of impassioned statements (and most likely had their minds made up before arriving).

Since finishing City Hall Fellows, leaving city government, and moving out of San Francisco, I haven't stayed up to date at all with city politics. This event brought back a lot of memories of what it was like to be engaged in local issues. Through my work now, I'm involved in the community, but not at all in a political way (which ultimately is how I prefer it). Even though the room was ridiculously hot, and I couldn't hear very well, I was inspired by the number of people who took time to understand the issues, stood up to say their piece, and actually cared about the outcome of the votes. This level of citizen engagement is one of the reasons I fell in love with San Francisco, and it was nice to reconnect with that.

Ultimately, Stevon did not get the endorsement he was looking for. But he has many other officials, teachers, local leaders, and groups backing him, so I have no doubt that this is but a minor setback. This is the first time I have been able to do something to actively support his campaign, but I have been proud to watch him take this journey from the start. I admire people who are willing to dream and actually create. So many people talk, yet very few people do. It takes so much courage, so much energy, and so much vulnerability to put yourself out there for something that you ultimately cannot control. I can't say I know a lot about local educational policy, but I believe in Stevon as a person, and that is what gives him my vote (if I could vote in SF). He is smart, disciplined, extremely dedicated to the local community, and he does not give up. Ever.

If you are a San Francisco voter, please vote Stevon Cook for School Board. 

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