San Francisco progressives have one victory and one likely victory for key Democratic Party posts.
David Campos, former supervisor and now chief of staff to District Attorney Chesa Boudin, has just been elected vice-chair of the state party. That’s a huge step and a sizable role for someone who represents the left wing of the party.
That means he’s stepping down as chair of the local party – and Honey Mahogany, a trans activist and staffer to Sup. Matt Haney, just announced she’s running to replace him.
At this point, it appears nobody has stepped forward to challenge her. At any rate, the progressives have the votes to put her in office.
Mahogany, who would be the first transgender person to head any Democratic Party in any big city in the country, would also be the first Black person in memory to lead the local party.
At a lively kickoff rally this afternoon, Sup. Hillary Ronen said Mahogany is the perfect person to lead “the Democratic Party that is slowly but surely getting back to its roots, fighting for people who were left behind.”
Mahogany is a former president of the Harvey Milk LGBT Club and the co-founder of the Transgender Cultural District.
She’s also a local nightlife icon. From her press statement:
Mahogany began making a name for herself as a drag performer and singer in San Francisco’s nightlife during the late 2000’s. She garnered international attention in 2013 when she became the first drag performer from San Francisco to compete on RuPaul’s Drag Race. “Drag Race was a great learning experience for me,” said Mahogany. “Having to work all day in heels, perform, be funny, be fierce, and face challenges all while being cut down by other queens… it’s basically San Francisco politics.”
All of this is happening in the context of what could be a brutal couple of years in local Democratic Party politics. If Mayor London Breed – as many expect – names Assemblymember David Chiu as the next city attorney, that Assembly seat will open up.
If Breed appoints a less prominent and politically strong city attorney, then there will likely be a progressive challenger for that job either this fall or next spring.
If House Speaker Nancy Pelosi decides not to run for another term (and she promised before this term that it would be her last as speaker), then one of the most coveted Congressional seats in the nation will open up.
All of these races will involve Democrats challenging other Democrats – and the Democratic County Central Committee, chaired by Mahogany, will be a huge focus of political action.
It’s not surprising that neither Chiu nor state Sen. Scott Wiener supported Campos for party vice-chair. But right now, it looks as if Mahogany will get the local job without opposition.
