Political Merger in San Francisco: TogetherSF Joins Forces with Neighbors
In a notable development within San Francisco’s political landscape, two of the wealthiest advocacy groups, TogetherSF and Neighbors for a Better San Francisco, announced their merger on Friday. The unified organization will operate under the banner of Neighbors for a Better San Francisco, marking a strategic consolidation following a challenging election cycle.
Leadership and Structural Changes
The newly formed group will predominantly integrate staff from TogetherSF, although some employees will receive severance packages. Jay Cheng, the current executive director of Neighbors, will take the helm, while his wife, Kanishka Karunaratne Cheng, who leads TogetherSF, will not be involved in the new coalition.
Context of the Merger: Recent Election Performance
This merger comes in the wake of a significant political expenditure exceeding $10 million during the recent November elections. Despite their financial muscle, both groups underperformed; a charter-reform measure they championed failed, and their candidate endorsements resulted in only limited successes. Mark Farrell, who they supported for mayor, finished fourth, and only two of their six endorsed supervisor candidates were victorious.
Reactions from the Business Community
Prominent business figures have voiced concerns about the merger and its implications for the city’s pro-business agenda. Chris Larsen, a cryptocurrency investor and supporter of Mayor London Breed, criticized their focus on dislodging Breed, asserting that the strategy detracted from efforts to elect new supervisors and drive meaningful charter reform. “We focused on the wrong thing,” he remarked.
Challenges Ahead with the New Administration
The newly inaugurated Mayor Daniel Lurie, who did not receive support from either group during the election, is reportedly unwilling to collaborate with Cheng due to past allegations, including a significant ethics fine that Neighbors incurred. A source close to Lurie declared, “We don’t owe them a goddamn thing.”
Goals for the Future
The newly consolidated organization aims to tackle pressing issues such as:
- Enhancing public safety
- Supporting quality education in public schools
- Fostering civic engagement
- Promoting logical policies to benefit San Francisco
Financial Landscape and Political Influence
Both organizations engage with a network of affluent donors and stakeholders who have begun to reshape San Francisco’s political scene post-pandemic. Historically, Neighbors has held a prominent position as a major spender in local politics, while TogetherSF has been bolstered significantly by contributions from philanthropist Michael Moritz, although future funding commitments remain uncertain.
Election Outcomes and Strategic Shifts
The November elections highlighted vulnerabilities for both groups. TogetherSF oversaw a $7 million campaign supporting a failed charter amendment (Prop D), while Neighbors allocated $1 million to the same cause. Despite technically remaining neutral in the mayoral race, key donors from Neighbors supported Farrell, which might have complicated their approach post-election.
Chart by Kelly Waldron. Data from the San Francisco Ethics Commission.
Since its establishment in 2021, TogetherSF has played a role in helping elect several moderates to the Board of Supervisors. Notably, it claims to have shifted from one aligned vote to a potential five in recent years, despite the setback in the latest election.
As these organizations regroup, both claim to anticipate collaboration with Lurie’s administration, expressing hope that their shared goals will facilitate a pathway to progress for the city they are deeply invested in.
