november 2022 VOTER GUIDE
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
What is the District Attorney?
The City’s top law enforcement official responsible for prosecuting criminal cases, initiating criminal investigations, and providing recommendations as to the sentencing of offenders
In some instances, the District Attorney is authorized to engage in civil litigation
The District Attorney and the office’s Deputy District Attorneys carry this responsibility jointly
The salary and benefits of this full-time position total $397,000 per year
Why You Should Care
In the criminal justice system, the District Attorney is tasked with representing the victim as well as considering the welfare of society in general. They must weigh the impact on public safety when they make charging decisions, meaning they have to consider if the accused is likely to offend again. Relative to the rest of the country, San Francisco has had a longstanding dedication to progressive prosecution practices. In June 2022, San Francisco voters recalled then-District Attorney Chesa Boudin. Supporters of the recall cited a number of high-profile cases involving offenders were released under Chesa or given lenient deals. During Chesa’s time in office (January 2020–June 2022), property crime, burglaries, and anti-Asian hate crimes spiked. Burglaries affecting small businesses rose 62 percent in 2021, there were an average of 74 car break-ins reported daily in 2021, and anti-Asian hate crime rose by 567 percent.
Mayor Breed appointed Brooke Jenkins to replace Chesa in July. She is running for office to finish out a term ending in 2023.
Our Vision for the Office
Our vision for the office is one that is primarily focused on public safety and accountability.
A Note About Our Candidate Choices
San Francisco uses ranked-choice voting, which allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference. This election, we've only endorsed one candidate per office, since we believe in them so wholeheartedly that we do not recommend you rank any additional candidates.
Brooke Jenkins
Why vote for her: San Francisco is at a crossroads when it comes to public safety. Your vote for this office has the power to truly alter safety in San Francisco. Jenkins presents a clear contrast to her predecessor. She deeply understands that the role of the DA is to make residents feel safe and is focused on rebuilding the public’s trust in the office of the DA to consider the needs of victims.
When she took office in July, she vowed to review high-profile cases involving Asian Americans to see if hate crime charges could be applied. She has vocally expressed her support and solidarity with the Asian-American community, which led the recall against Chesa after feeling dismissed.
Jenkins will be taking a more reasonable approach to drug dealers than her predecessor, in part by revoking plea deals offered to them under the Boudin administration. She’s also said she will treat property crimes with the gravity they deserve rather than as an unfortunate byproduct of living in the city.
In addition to considering the impact on the victim and greater public safety, a progressive prosecutor—and we believe Brooke Jenkins is a progressive prosecutor—also considers what’s best for the offender. Sometimes this is incarceration, sometimes it’s mandated rehabilitation, sometimes it’s mandated mental health treatment. While a defense attorney will always argue that their client should be free to do what they want, a progressive prosecutor considers what is best for all parties involved. We are confident that Jenkins believes in this approach.
Experience is another major contrast to her predecessor, who had never prosecuted a case or managed a team before being elected. Jenkins has worked as a prosecutor in the DA’s office for eight years prior to being appointed DA, in the Misdemeanor and Felonies Units before working as the office’s Hate Crimes Prosecutor. She was later promoted to the Sexual Assault Unit and eventually the Homicide Unit. She has also brought in a deeply experienced prosecutorial leadership team to rebuild the office.
Jenkins is just getting started. We hope voters give her time to rebuild the office, repair community relationships, establish relationships with SFPD and the BOS and restore public safety in San Francisco.
Paid for by TogetherSF Action. Not authorized by any candidate or a committee controlled by a candidate. Financial disclosures are available at sfethics.org.
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