City College Board Election Divided Political Slates
Seven candidates competed for spots on the board in November 2026 amid ongoing disputes over campus finances.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Elections
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San Francisco voters weighed competing visions for the City College of San Francisco as seven candidates vied for trustee seats during the November 2026 election. The race featured clear divides between candidates backed by labor unions and those supported by billionaire-funded political groups.
Why it matters
The board election followed years of instability for City College, including a near-loss of accreditation in 2024 and the 2026 closure of the Downtown Center. Residents faced a choice between political slates while the institution continues to manage enrollment declines and financial pressures.
The Phoenix Project reports the political network backing candidates like Elijah Ball has spent at least $78 million on local races since 2020. Individual fundraising totals varied significantly, with candidates like Erwin Tam raising $22,705 and Leah LaCroix raising $4,937.
The players
Elijah Ball
A candidate for the City College board of trustees endorsed by GrowSF and Abundant SF.
Bunny McFadden
A candidate for the City College board of trustees supported by labor unions including AFT 2121.
AFT 2121
A local labor union that provides financial and organizational support to specific trustee candidates.
GrowSF
A political group that supports candidates and measures within the local political landscape.
The details
Candidates Bunny McFadden, Leah LaCroix, and Jeremy Lee ran with endorsements from labor groups including AFT 2121 and SEIU 1021. Meanwhile, Elijah Ball, Erwin Tam, Monroe Lace, and Ruth Ferguson were backed by GrowSF and Abundant SF. The board must address fiscal challenges after the college nearly lost accreditation in 2024 and shuttered its Downtown Center, though a union-reported surplus of $20 million was noted for the 2024-25 school year. Rome Moses Jones and Lisa Wynn also appeared on the ballot.
Timeline
2020: Political network spending began.
2024: City College nearly lost its accreditation.
2024-25 school year: A $20 million surplus was reported.
2026: The Downtown Center closed.
November 2026: The board of trustees election took place.
Across the Bay
The 2026 board race mirrors the institutional instability seen during the 2024 City College accreditation crisis. This election followed that crisis, forcing candidates to address the same long-standing fiscal and governance questions.
The new trustees will oversee decisions regarding campus facilities, including the status of closed locations like the Downtown Center. Residents should monitor future board agendas to see how these newly elected officials address student enrollment and fiscal policy.
The takeaway
The deep financial divide between candidate slates highlights the ongoing tension over the future of public education in the city. Watch for the board's first official meetings to see how the winning candidates manage the reported budget surplus alongside recent campus closures.
Further reading
For more background on local governance, visit San Francisco Elections.
Source note: This article includes information reported by SFist - San Francisco News, Restaurants, Events, & Sports.
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