Opposing D3 Campaigners Planning A Party To Mend FencesThe forthcoming new location of Mama's will be the site of a unifying community party. (Photo: Geri Koeppel/Hoodline)
Geri Koeppel
Published on November 03, 2015

It's no secret that today's District 3 supervisorial election has been particularly contentious for residents—particularly the North Beach, Telegraph Hill and Russian Hill areas, where emotions have run high for supporters of both incumbent Julie Christensen and challenger Aaron Peskin.

The race has pitted friend against friend, neighbor against neighbor. Neighborhood-centric social media site Nextdoor has been particularly ablaze, with people attacking and defending both candidates, lobbing allegations (proven or not) about the candidates, and sometimes issuing personal attacks on those who disagree.

So it might seem surprising that one of Christensen's biggest backers, Vince Sanchez, and one of Peskin's most ardent supporters, Lance Carnes, decided—via a comment thread on Nextdoor, no less—to co-host a party to smooth things over and help repair the community.

Vince Sanchez with plans for the new Mama's. (Photo: Vince Sanchez)

Sanchez was the driving force behind getting the former Piazza Market's zoning changed, in order to allow his brother Michael to open a second Mama's restaurant (along with a Lil' Mama's community market). Carnes, who's hosted several community meetings in the space (courtesy of Sanchez), thought it would be an ideal location for a gathering to mend fences.

Lance Carnes, center, with Philippa (left) and Sarah Colborne. (Photo: Geri Koeppel/Hoodline)

"I don't think there's anyone who doesn't agree on the difficulties facing our city and our neighborhood," Sanchez said. "We just disagree on who's best to handle it ... We don't want the neighborhood ripped apart by this." 

Carnes agrees. "I think that [the party] will be good, maybe in a week or two after the dust settles and we all start talking to each other again." 

The candidates themselves agree. "It's obviously been difficult for a lot of different communities—divisions in North Beach and Chinatown," Peskin said. "I welcome some unity after the dust settles. It'll be a great thing."

"I think it's a great idea, and I'm grateful to Vince," Christensen said. "Both Vince and Lance are guys of principle. They've both conducted themselves during this campaign in an ethical manner, so it doesn't surprise me that the two of them would be behind unification efforts. Anyone smart is going to realize this is not about personal victory; it's about the opportunity to tackle some really serious problems."

The rancor (and the mountains of election-related mailings) is particularly needless because the election is for just one more year on the board; Mayor Ed Lee appointed Christensen to the District 3 supervisor seat in January after David Chiu left to serve in the state assembly. Next November, today's winner will go up for re-election. We asked both Christensen and Peskin whether they'd stump again next November if they aren't victorious this time, but neither would say.

As for the reunification party, a date and time haven't been chosen yet, but we'll keep you posted on those details.