San Francisco is getting ready for many upcoming elections. Two very important positions up for office this year are the District Attorney and Sheriff.

     The race for district attorney has started to intensify with current DA Brooke Jenkins and Ryan Khlohasteh, a former Alameda County prosecutor, going up for office.
    DA Jenkins was appointed into office by Mayor London Breed after the recall of Chesa Boudin. Khlojasteh’s entry into the 2024 race is particularly interesting because he was fired by Jenkins during her takeover in 2022. 

     Khlohasteh said, “I really wanted to have a chance to meet with Brooke to make her aware of our unit’s struggles and that we need help, and instead when I was on vacation at a family wedding she just called and fired me…”

     Kholhasteh’s main campaign goals are to engage in public feedback and make his message clear that he wants to restructure the District Attorney’s office with accountability and rehabilitation.

     Kholhasteh continued “As a prosecutor and as someone who worked in that office I want to stabilize it, bring it back to the basics and make sure we can win our cases in court, and that we have well trained staff who are honorable, ethical, and prosecute with integrity.”

At press time, The Crusader had not heard back from DA Jenkins in response to a request for an interview.

     On the Sheriff’s side of things, current San Francisco sheriff Paul Miyamoto is looking to maintain his position of sheriff for another term.

     Sheriff Miyamoto made history in 2020 by being the first Asian-American sheriff of San Francisco, taking office in the midst of the pandemic. His leadership is facing more competition than ever before, from opponent Michael Juan, a Riordan alumnus and former Marine Corps veteran.

     Aidan Alday ’26 stated, “My dad is a sergeant police officer in San Francisco. I would say from what I have learned from him is that the sheriff’s department, DA, and police department go hand and hand on many issues in San Francisco. I hope these elections will only bring more safety towards San Francisco as a whole.”

     Juan’s entry into the race for SF sheriff has raised many questions about his ability to get enough backing from the city’s strong law enforcement union, but nonetheless amplified the pressure on Miyamoto to possibly take more action in addressing issues in his department. 

   Miyamoto has faced many challenges such as understaffing and crowded jails. Miyamoto’s first term may have been out-shined by larger global issues like the pandemic but this upcoming election will test whether he can maintain his position among rising concerns. 

     Miyamoto commented, “The vision remains the same and my focus as Sheriff will continue to be keeping the community, our staff, and those in our custody and care safe. How we continue on this course is reflected in our core values of service, professionalism, and pride.”

     Juan, though lesser known, could push the Sheriff’s Department to elect him, as he advocates for more transparency and for improved working conditions as a whole for the department’s future. 

     Juan said, “San Francisco elected officials have made national headlines on failing policies and our community members are paying the price for it. This is what motivated me to run for office. I could not sit idly by and watch this happen. I wanted to do something about it so I put myself out there and got my name on the ballot.”

     Juan continued, “All law enforcement agencies need to work together to accomplish the mission of protecting our community.”

     With critical choices to me made in city leadership, voters hold the power to reshape how accountability, safety and trust are prioritized for the future of San Francisco. As San Francisco voters head to the polls, they will not only be deciding on the candidates themselves rather on the future of the beloved city of San Francisco at heart.

   The outcome of both races will shape San Francisco law enforcement–and many hope for the better–for years to come.