Housing Debate Dominates First District 2 Supervisor Candidates Forum

Appointed supervisor Stephen Sherrill and neighborhood organizer Lori Brooke clash over city's upzoning plan

Feb. 4, 2026 at 4:39pm by Ben Kaplan

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In the first debate between the two candidates for San Francisco District 2 supervisor, housing was the most contentious topic. Appointed supervisor Stephen Sherrill defended his vote for the city's recent upzoning plan, while challenger Lori Brooke, a longtime neighborhood organizer, criticized the plan that allows taller, denser housing in the district. The debate also covered issues like public safety, transportation, and the candidates' connections to the community.

Why it matters

The District 2 supervisor race is a key contest that will shape the future of one of San Francisco's wealthiest and most influential neighborhoods. The debate highlighted the divide between those who support increased housing development to address the city's affordability crisis, and those who want to preserve the character of established neighborhoods like the Marina, Pacific Heights, and Cow Hollow.

The details

Brooke, co-founder of the Neighborhoods United SF coalition, criticized the upzoning plan that was approved by the Board of Supervisors in December, saying it will negatively impact the 'bright, sunny, walkable commercial corridors' of the district. Sherrill, who was appointed to the seat by Mayor London Breed, defended his vote, saying he did so to avoid a 'state takeover' of local zoning that could have led to 'devastating consequences.' Brooke argued that Sherrill is endorsed by the same state legislators and YIMBY groups that championed the laws enabling the upzoning.

  • The debate took place on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
  • The special election to serve the remainder of Catherine Stefani's term will be held on June 2, 2026.
  • Another election for a full four-year term will happen in November 2026.

The players

Stephen Sherrill

The appointed District 2 supervisor, who voted for the city's recent upzoning plan.

Lori Brooke

A longtime neighborhood organizer and co-founder of Neighborhoods United SF, which is suing the city to block the upzoning plan.

London Breed

The outgoing mayor of San Francisco, who appointed Sherrill to the District 2 supervisor seat in December 2024.

Daniel Lurie

The current mayor of San Francisco, who has endorsed Sherrill's campaign.

Tara Moriarty

The spokesperson for the San Francisco Sheriff's Department, who moderated the debate.

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What they’re saying

“Those bright, sunny, walkable commercial corridors can now have six to eight stories on it. This was a wrong plan. It should never have been approved.”

— Lori Brooke, Neighborhood organizer (Mission Local)

“Just saying no and risking a state takeover of local zoning can lead to devastating, devastating consequences to this city. I don't think it's appropriate to just light yourself on fire and risk absolute disaster and catastrophic consequences.”

— Stephen Sherrill, Appointed District 2 supervisor (Mission Local)

“My opponent says he doesn't like [the Marina Safeway development], which is good, but he is endorsed by the very senator and the YIMBY organizations that wrote and championed the laws that made it possible.”

— Lori Brooke, Neighborhood organizer (Mission Local)

“I think we've all seen what happens when we have alignment on the Board of Supervisors, a pragmatic, moderate, thoughtful Board of Supervisors with a pragmatic, moderate mayor.”

— Stephen Sherrill, Appointed District 2 supervisor (Mission Local)

“We're kind of like a shadow supervisor. We take the first hit of what people need.”

— Lori Brooke, Neighborhood organizer (Mission Local)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the Neighborhoods United SF coalition's lawsuit against the city's upzoning plan to proceed.

The takeaway

The debate highlighted the deep divide in San Francisco's District 2 over the city's housing policies, with the appointed supervisor defending his vote for upzoning while the challenger vowed to fight the changes. Voters in the district will have to weigh these competing visions for the future of their neighborhoods when they head to the polls in June and November.