THIS WEEK AT THE VOICE FOR THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2026
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by Mike Ege
Editor in Chief, The Voice of San Francisco
Checking out the various after-action reports from Tuesday’s election, from the Chronicle to Mission Local, the media consensus seems to be that Mayor Daniel Lurie is the big winner. And certainly, the honest sentiment in Room 200 is probably along the lines of “we’ll take it.” But the sting is in the turnout, or should we say lack thereof.
According to the Department of Elections dashboard, local turnout appears to be less than 25 percent. If it stays that way, that would be the lowest since 2009. Despite unprecedented races for governor and Congress, there seems to be little voter investment. Instead, we had record levels of investment from candidates themselves. And it would appear that all that vanity spending has produced poor returns.
Tom Steyer spent $200 million on ubiquitous (and obnoxious) video ads and oodles on so-called influencers. And at least on the statewide level, it appears to have been a poor investment. Though, perhaps worryingly, he was a top vote-getter in San Francisco.
That said, local self-funders also failed miserably. Congressional contender Saikat Chakrabarti spent up to $10 million of his own money to run a tone-deaf campaign that in a normal world should have cost half as much to win.
But the most poignant example of the big-spending loser in local politics may well be school board candidate Brandee Marckman, who contributed $136,000 to her own campaign and has so far garnered only 12 percent of the vote, finishing third.
Like Steyer and Chakrabarti, Marckmann ran on a hard left platform, opposing things like … algebra. So it appears that the vanity, self-funded “luxury beliefs” campaign model doesn’t work very well.
Meanwhile, Lurie can find comfort in his coattails. In Supervisorial District 2, incumbent Stephen Sherrill turned what in past years would likely have been a fairly solid win into an absolute blowout, leaving his opponent, NIMBY queen Lori Brooke, with a third of the vote in a two-person contest.
In District 4, Incumbent Alan Wong, initially seen as vulnerable, also ended up with close to 70 percent of the vote, in his case in a full-on ranked-choice voting race against multiple candidates. Wong, whose campaign had some early stumbles, certainly appears to have benefited from Lurie’s walking precincts with him.
That said, all these local races are set for a do-over in November, mainly because of past progressive-sponsored ballot measures that have triggered a cascade of repetitive elections. Districts 2 and 4 will be up again, along with the rest of the even-numbered districts, and Brooke, plus most of Wong’s opponents, are signed up to run again. There is also a regular Board of Education contest, and Marckmann has also signed up to run again.
Money can buy plenty of campaign consultants, mailers, digital ads, and social media content, but it still can’t buy voter enthusiasm. The stakes are higher this November, not just for the city, but for the Republic. And Lurie will need more than complacency to stay ahead.
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Top News
ELECTION 2026
S.F. school board candidates start complicated election path
Two elections possible and at least one new commissioner expected in November
by John Trasviña
Even before any of the votes have been counted in the June 2 primary election, the November election for three seats on the San Francisco school board is well underway.
ELECTION 2026
BART, Muni funding measures likely headed for November ballot
Transit funding measures, if passed by voters, would avert service cuts on BART, Muni
by Jerold Chinn
RIGHT STUFF
Dion Lim: ‘Every day is a new adventure’
Interview with former ABC7 reporter/anchor on her crusade to bring attention to a wave of anti-Asian hate.
by John Zipperer
Quote of the week
“It may sound facetious to say that you can have too much money in a campaign, but in fact, the way these rich self-financing candidates spend their money becomes a liability. …They wear out their welcome.”
— California politics veteran Garry South on the apparent failure of Tom Steyer to make the jungle runoff, in “Five takeaways from California’s election, from Congress to the governor’s race”
Nomi toon
In Case You Missed It
TRANSIT
Clipper 2.0 delays grow as Cubic misses key upgrade deadline
The next generation of Clipper faces another setback after a missed upgrade deadline, drawing anger from some transit officials.
by Jerold Chinn
OPINION
We knew the cost of ignoring math readiness in higher education
As 1,000 UC faculty call for standardized testing for STEM applicants, ‘access’ becomes confused with ‘preparedness’ and students pay the price.
by Elizabeth Statmore
A&E
A streaming trio of hybrid TV treats
‘‘Widow’s Bay’ mixes comedy and horror, ‘Spider-Noir’ blends superheroics and hard-boiled detective action, and ‘Rivals’ weds satire and soap opera.
by Michael Snyder
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EVENTS
Out and about June 4–10, 2026
What to do this weekend and beyond.
By Lynette Majer
Managing Editor, The Voice of San Francisco
Well, it’s sorta kinda summer, and we all know that means weather-wise. Regardless, there are indoor and outdoor venues for some suggestions for the next several days from theater and music, to pet events, street festivals, and more.
Thursday, June 4
Don’t miss Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary Phantom of the Opera in a newly “revitalized production.” It’s in its 40th year in London’s West End and is considered one of the most beautiful and spectacular musicals, having played to millions in hundreds of cities and in scores of languages. Through June 20 at the Orpheum. 7 p.m. tonight. Tickets from $184.
Friday, June 5
Join U.S. Senator Cory Booker in conversation with Glide’s President and CEO, Dr. Gina Fromer, about how to make “good trouble” to defend democracy, create leadership and community, and show up for each other. 3 to 4 p.m. at Glide Memorial Church. Tickets: $15 (livestream also available).
San Francisco Symphony’s new music director designate will conduct her first program tonight, Elim Chan Conducts La Mer, which pairs Wagner’s Prelude and Liebestod from Tristan and Isolde with Debussy’s La Mer. Between the two, mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke will sing Berlioz’s Les Nuits d’été. Tonight only, enjoy a post-concert welcome celebration with live music, light food, and beverages. 7:30 p.m. through Saturday at Davies Symphony Hall. Tickets from $49.
Saturday, June 6
As of press time, the most handsome Yuri has been at S.F. ACC since April, and promises to bring you nothing but good luck and gratitude as your forever friend, and “life of the party” Lee is available at Muttville.
Looking for a forever furry friend to complete your family? Today is for you: It’s California Adopt a Pet Day, and all adoption fees will be waived at Muttville Senior Dog Rescue, S.F. Animal Care and Control, which also has some super adorable bunnies and guinea pigs, as does the S.F. SPCA, which also has birds and other pet companions. Check out who’s available online, and all the rescues are within walking distance of each other. Visit the individual links for hours. Free!
Enjoy “San Francisco’s Only Italian Street Festival,” the Festa Italiana with nonstop Italian music, a pizza toss by world-champion Tony Gemignani, wine tasting, a vendor fair, kids’ corner, and more, like Sunday’s Statuto Race, which commemorates the creation of the first Italian Constitution. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Washington Square Park (Festa). Free admission.
Now in its 46th year, the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon, is considered a must-do for triathletes, this weekend. It includes a swim, a long bike ride through the Presidio and Sea Cliff, and a run through the Presidio, concluding at the Marina Green. Visit the website for details. Free viewing with lots of traffic through Sunday.
In support of Pride, the 31st annual Pink Triangle will be glowing nightly through the month on Twin Peaks with thousands of LED lights. The opening ceremony includes remarks by Major Daniel Lurie and others, including a performance by the San Francisco Pride Band and musical theater star Leanne Borghesi playing everyone’s favorite song, “San Francisco.” Viewing through June 28. Free.
Celebrate our iconic waterfront at the inaugural Play on the Bay, a family-friendly afternoon of music, art, kiddo fun, giveaways, and live performances on Fisherman’s Wharf. Noon to 4 p.m. on Jefferson Street from Al Scoma Way to Hyde Street. Free
Kick off the summer street fair season with the 48th anniversary of the Union Street Festival. Expect a lineup of live music, arts and crafts, food trucks, cocktails, and the beloved Waiter Relay Race (noon on Sunday), where teams of servers race up and down the street with a serving tray and drinks in a relay. Be sure to visit my favorite, Helpers Artisan Boutique, which displays the work of talented artists with developmental disabilities. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Union Street (Fillmore to Gough streets) through Sunday. Free admission.
Sunday, June 7
It’s Juneteenth on the Waterfront today, celebrating a month of Black-owned businesses offering handcrafted food and drinks (for purchase), and family fun, including live music and food demos. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission.
Limited tickets are available for Paws for Pinot, a benefit for Guide Dogs for the Blind. (If you miss this event, consider packing your own Pinot Picnic and visiting their campus for free tours.) Noon to 3 p.m. Tickets: $103. win-win, I don’t know what is. Participating restaurants here. Through Nov. 9. Brunch/lunch from $10; dinner from $30.
Listen to our podcasts
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- The election is over, the result is known and much more on The Voice of San Francisco and beyond
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