THIS WEEK AT THE VOICE FOR THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026
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by Mike Ege
Editor in Chief, The Voice of San Francisco
And then there were four*: Fintech lawyer jumps into Dem Congressional race
The race to represent San Francisco in Congress became yet larger Jan. 12, when fintech lawyer Daniel Wheeler entered the field as a Democratic contender. Little known outside the tech community, Wheeler is running to win and could appeal to voters unimpressed by the better-known candidates. (*There are a total of seven Democratic hopefuls who have pulled papers; all are still listed as “pending” by the Department of Elections, a further has pulled papers as an independent.)
Wheeler works with banks and crypto startups on policy in a complex, emerging regulatory space. He is president of The Fintech Lawyer, has led financial services firms including Sunstone Trust and Cred, written for American Banker, and moderated banking policy discussions at the Federalist Society.
His platform centers on what he calls “common-sense leadership,” including strategic housing expansion to improve affordability, modernized law enforcement with accountability for repeat offenders, eliminating waste and corruption in public services, and reshaping homelessness policy. He argues the current frontrunners—Scott Wiener, Connie Chan, and Saikat Chakrabarti—are unable or unwilling to deliver progress on those fronts.
“I can go into each one of them and talk about how they may be well intentioned, but especially Scott Wiener and Connie Chan, neither has delivered (in their current jobs),” Wheeler told The Voice in an interview Wednesday. “The idea that they would fail upward into an even more important position is anathema to me.”
On being in a Congress that will likely be busy holding Donald Trump’s feet to the fire, Wheeler tells us, “I’m results-oriented, I can work across the aisle where it will become necessary to confront the president. I served in the Army Reserves during the first Iraq war, and other units in my company were summoned to the battlefield, and a lot of them lost their lives. A president who launches wars unconstitutionally, recklessly, must be reined in by Congress.”
But, can he win?
“I believe this is winnable for an outsider like me for a few reasons,” Wheeler told The Voice. “We have a good precedent in Daniel Lurie getting elected as a pragmatic moderate, and he’s immensely popular… I have some tailwinds there. We live in probably the richest district in the country, and there are plenty of people who look at this district and are willing to spend considerable money to ensure that a moderate is elevated to that position.”
Great Highway Robbery Part 2: Electric Boogaloo
After some soul-searching, District 4 Supervisor Alan Wong decided to call out colleague Shamann Walton and his aide, Natalie Gee, for engaging in what could be considered the political equivalent of a pig-butchering scam that tripped up the process for a ballot initiative to reopen the Upper Great Highway to vehicle traffic.
Wong sent out a press release late Wednesday calling Walton and Gee’s tactics, where Gee signaled support for the measure by being in attendance when he unveiled the final draft, but Walton refused to return calls until after the deadline, “a crass political maneuver” that placed “cynical political games ahead of Sunset residents.”
Gee is running against Wong in a special election in June for his seat on the board.
It goes without saying that the rookie supervisor was facing an uphill battle. Less than five weeks into the job and already saddled with tackling power outages in his district, any board members supporting his position were part of the progressive machine, which had already staked out support for Gee. After all, what are policy goals in the face of an early political win? Nevertheless, colleagues Connie Chan and Chyanne Chen signed on to the measure, though it’s certainly possible that they did so in full knowledge that Walton and Gee would slaughter the pig in the end.
Walton fancies himself as a comedian. Perhaps he just thought it would be funny.
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Top News
POLITICS
Great Highway ballot measure not in the cards… for now
Supervisor Alan Wong continued lobbying until 5 p.m. deadline; Supervisors Chan, Chen were on board
by Mike Ege
San Francisco District 4 Supervisor Alan Wong lobbied up until the last minute for a ballot measure to reopen the Upper Great Highway, also known as Sunset Dunes Park, to vehicle traffic on weekdays. But by the 5 p.m. deadline today, he was still short one signature from a board colleague to qualify it for the June ballot.
EDUCATION
San Francisco schools in court battle over student journalism
Author uncovers 1960s FBI and local police surveillance of S.F. student activism
by John Trasviña
ASIAN VOICES
San Francisco’s Chinatown is already living through the climate crisis
Climate change is no longer a future event or theoretical debate. It is already reshaping daily life in San Francisco’s Chinatown.
by Alan Chen
Quote of the week
“Readiness is a gift, but nobody can give it to you.”
—Elizabeth Statmore on how teachers must learn to cultivatre and protect attention, in “Learning to protect and value your attention”
Nomi toon
In Case You Missed It
EDUCATION
Learning to protect and value your attention
Learning how to protect and cultivate your own attention is one of the secrets of sanity and success that you can learn in school.
by Elizabeth Statmore
ASIAN VOICES
Protecting caregivers is protecting patients
Safety is not a feeling or a slogan. It is a system. And when that system is neglected, people get hurt.
by Hanley Chan
A&E
‘Reversals and Revolutions’: Chris McCaw at the Haines Gallery
Photographer creates stunning images through his inventive use of light and time
by Sharon Anderson
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EVENTS
Out and about Jan. 15–21, 2026
What to do this weekend and beyond
By Lynette Majer
Managing Editor, The Voice of San Francisco
Thank goodness we have another three-day holiday to usher us into the new year. The coming week brings discussions about current and historical topics, commemorations, art, comedy, and more.
Thursday, Jan. 15
“Making History Fun Again Speaker Series” at the legendary Redwood Room presents Joseph Amster, founder of Emperor Norton’s Fantastic San Francisco Time Machine, appropriately appearing as Emperor Norton, the eccentric and beloved historical figure. The monthly program is designed to bring the city’s colorful history to life, “while connecting generations through storytelling, culture, and spirited conversation.” Themed specialty cocktails will also be available for purchase, including Pisco Punch, martinis, and others. 6 p.m. at the Clift Hotel. Free with RSVP here.
Tonight is part 2 of Manny’s Venezuela discussions: What Does Maduro’s Removal Mean for Venezuela? Join Venezuela experts, Dr. Dorothy Kronick from U.C. Berkeley and Venezuelan Simon Olavarria from Instawork. Tickets: $5 and change.
SF Sketchfest: The San Francisco Comedy Festival opens today, presenting multiple nonstop live sketch, improv, stand-up, podcasts, film and television events, tributes, and more each day. Through Feb. 1. Ticket prices vary by performance.
Friday, Jan. 16
Celebrate the National Day of Service to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. There are many opportunities from forest and habitat stewards in the Presidio, maintenance in Muir Woods, historic landscaping at Fort Mason and Fort Point, and more. See a full list of opportunities here; most require registration. Multiple locations in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Through Monday. Free admission.
Saturday, Jan. 17
The third edition San Francisco Art Week starts today, with a diverse range of events, exhibitions, and more hosted by museums, galleries, nonprofit organizations, and other creative spaces. Visit the link above for a map of participating venues and additional information. Daily through Jan. 25.
Listen to our podcasts
- Some of the challenges we face in San Francisco and beyond!
- The battle over the Great Highway is not over, the rise of sea levels is a growing problem, good news from Vanderbilt University…
- Scott Wiener flips his position and accuses Israel of genocide and now the consequences!
- Waymo, the Great Highway, “Family” Zoning and more on the Voice of San Francisco and beyond!
- Plus more (and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music/Audible or everywhere else you get your favorite podcasts)
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