In my role as Executive Director for the San Francisco Republican Party in the 1990s many people outside of San Francisco even wondered whether there was even a GOP in the City by the Bay.
Most probably it is very different even more today. But in 1997, Republicans counted just over 15% of registrations. We had Democrat leaders in local State and Federal offices (only the "East Bay" remained GOP-controlled). And in 'Bagdad By The Bay' we had not only a Democrat Mayor but the Democrat figure of that era in California, the stylish razor of unbeatable political formidability, Mineola, TX-born Willie Brown AKA "Da Mayor." So it was a surprise when it became my job to work actively with City Hall on a big municipal and public and private initiative; unlikely partners, former "enemies." San Francisco was marketing and sought to approve USD100M in Lease-Revenue Bonds in order to finance a new USD500M+ stadium for the 49ers, along with associated residential and retail. Propositions D & F were therefore the prime undertaking for 1997's political cycle and docket in San Francisco and in my office - many coordinated events, messaging, phone banks and calls, and slate mailer and GOTV efforts whirred. When the votes were counted, the joint measure passed at just over 50%; a squeaker. The certified returns revealed basically a margin just shy of a thousand votes. When we reviewed the post election analytics it became clear that our efforts were a decisive factor: we ran four points ahead of registration (19% of those who voted were Republicans, with a 15% registration). It was a big W for Willie. The project never came into being. But that is a story for another day. 1L-2
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AuthorTexas + California corporate attorney in Dallas. Archives
February 2008
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