District 6 Voters to Elect Supervisor in November
The race will define future tenant protections as housing costs rise in SoMa and Mission Bay.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Remote Work
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As District 6 residents prepare for the November 2026 election, they are balancing the impact of a local rent emergency and a rapid influx of artificial intelligence companies. The race between Supervisor Matt Dorsey and candidate Alex Behrend comes amid significant shifts in the neighborhood housing market.
Why it matters
The outcome of this race will shape the legislative approach to tenant protections and housing production in areas like SoMa and Mission Bay. Residents are grappling with housing displacement risks as high-paid industry workers move in despite recent citywide tech job losses.
Median rents rose 26 percent and eviction notices increased 44 percent in the year preceding September 2026. The city added 2,669 net housing units in 2025, though total production remains 26 percent below the 10-year average.
The players
Matt Dorsey
The current supervisor for District 6 who was appointed to the seat in May 2022.
Alex Behrend
A candidate running for the District 6 supervisor seat in the November 2026 election.
The details
District 6 voters will decide between incumbent Matt Dorsey and challenger Alex Behrend this November. City Hall is currently navigating a declared rent emergency, which provides funding for eviction defense and relocation payments for impacted residents. Because California law restricts local rent control for units built after February 1, 1995, policy options for managing these cost increases remain constrained.
Timeline
May 9, 2022: Matt Dorsey was appointed as District 6 supervisor.
2025: The city added 2,669 net housing units.
September 2026: The mayor declared a rent emergency.
November 2026: The District 6 supervisor election takes place.
Across the Bay
Local policy in District 6 operates within the strict parameters of the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act. This state law prevents the application of local rent control to housing built after February 1, 1995, limiting the city's ability to curb rising costs in new developments.
Residents in SoMa, Mission Bay, Yerba Buena, and South Beach may see continued shifts in housing availability as AI companies occupy office space. You can review your ballot and confirm your polling place for the upcoming November election.
The takeaway
Voters should monitor how incoming AI industry development influences the local housing market in the coming years. Check your voter registration status ahead of the November election to participate in the District 6 supervisor race.
What happens next
The District 6 supervisor election is scheduled for November 2026.
Further reading
For broader trends on housing and the changing local workforce, visit Remote Work.
More information
To verify your voter status or find polling locations, visit the San Francisco voter registration portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mission Local.
Live Poll
Should your city prioritize stricter rent controls over new housing development to solve affordability?
