In 2021 Mayor London Breed tagged Assemblyman and former Supervisor David Chiu to become city attorney. It’s an impactful position. In addition to providing legal counsel to those on the city payroll — including the mayor and Board of Supervisors — the office reviews and approves contracts, ordinances, and surety bonds and enforces codes related to housing, fire safety, and public works.
Now a contender is challenging Chiu in the 2024 election. Here is our exclusive interview with Richard Woon, and why he joined the race.
What was the moment you said, “That’s it, I’m running for city attorney”?
I’ve been closely following the city attorney race since January. As July approached with no challenger to David Chiu, it became clear nobody else would step up, so I began preparing myself for action. I believe that we get the government we tolerate, and San Francisco deserves more options than the same old political elite.
With decades of experience as an attorney, developer, business owner, broker, coach, and camp director, I bring unique abilities and a fresh perspective to this race. I am passionate about ensuring that our city is served by leaders who truly represent the people, not just the established elites. I am committed to fighting for a brighter future for San Francisco and providing a genuine alternative to the status quo.
What upsets you most about how San Francisco is managed?
I’m fed up with the crime, drugs, and streets that smell like toilets, but if I had to pick one issue, it’s corruption at City Hall. They’re not even trying to hide it anymore!
City Hall has been run like a private piggy bank for insiders, and nobody is looking out for the best interests of the people. The “Royal Family” has become so bold that they establish public programs that openly discriminate on the basis of protected classifications like race and gender in the name of “equity.” Every first-year law student knows that law and government are supposed to be colorblind. They have disguised grift with unbelievably bad and illegal policy decisions that just get rubber-stamped. I won’t play that game.
“What is right and wrong has been solely determined by those holding power.”
What does justice mean to you, personally?
Justice means fairness and doing what is right. I believe in God, and I believe God is love, so what is right should be a reflection of that. Sometimes, love is tough. The law is man’s attempt to codify justice. They are not always aligned but should be.
In which ways would you be different from David Chiu?
In 2021, London Breed appointed David Chiu to take over the remainder of Dennis Herrera’s last term. Herrera became city attorney in 2002, and he ran unopposed every election since then. We have had 22 years of the same regime. I promise to be radically different from Herrera and Chiu.
San Francisco is one of the few California cities that elects its city attorney to ensure the office’s accountability to the people.
As an outsider, not privy to the attorney-client relationship, it sure feels like the office has just been a rubber stamp for City Hall, irrespective of the law. The office has not been administered with an eye on the law and what’s best for the people. For example, the approval of contracts to distribute pipes and foil to illegal drug users defies basic common sense. Smoking meth and fentanyl is unlawful. What legal gymnastics have been employed to justify these lucrative contracts that only worsen our city streets? Why are we frustrating the efforts of the police? It is now public policy to frustrate other established public policies?
The office has been operating with a “might is right” attitude, meaning that what is right and wrong is solely determined by those holding power. The power knows it is nearly impossible for the little guy to challenge the city attorney’s office, so it has acted with impunity and disregard for the law, equity, and fairness. I vow to be different. As City Attorney, I will be duty-bound to protect and defend the interests of the city and county of San Francisco, but I promise to balance my actions against the best interests of the people. That has not been happening.
Can you describe why you think San Francisco is ready for an abrupt change?
It’s clear that San Francisco is headed in the wrong direction. Those in power say crime is down, but I know people don’t feel safe. Businesses are closing. Fear is contagious. As you recently reported, San Francisco’s credit rating has been downgraded. Real estate prices are falling, and we face a commercial real estate crisis. Tax revenues are bound to suffer. We are facing a fiscal crisis. If we don’t change, we will face years of economic suffering. Don’t say I didn’t give the people an option!
Have any cases that you’ve worked on been especially meaningful to you?
I am a real estate lawyer, which pays the bills but isn’t particularly meaningful. I am most proud of my pro-bono work regarding Covid. I helped many people deal with unlawful COVID mandates, and I founded the Patriot Pub Crawl to defeat the illegal and discriminatory vaccine passport system. It was a lonely and difficult position to defend, but with the repeal of almost all mandates and the recent multimillion-dollar BART Vaccine Mandate judgment in favor of fired workers, it is becoming evident that I was on the right side of the law.
I expect to see continued validation of my COVID work as the wheels of justice grind slow but fine. Both Herrera and Chiu were total failures when it comes to COVID and civil rights. They have allowed for the creation of massive exposure.
Any thoughts on Proposition 36?
I don’t know if Proposition 36 will be able to fix our crime problems, but it is a start. If we want successful retail business, there must be consequences for shoplifting. We have to give the police and district attorney the tools to do their jobs. Prop. 36 is one of those tools.
Finally, what do you love about San Francisco?
I love the people, the natural beauty, our weather, and the architecture of San Francisco. What I used to love about the city was its unconditional love and tolerance for all people and all viewpoints. I think we have gotten away from that.
San Francisco has always welcomed people from all over the world with alternative and unconventional lifestyles. Unfortunately, I think those people who came here seeking acceptance have not always been so tolerant of other views. That’s what I miss. I hope to be a leader to help bring back the unconditional love and tolerance for all people that made the city so great.
