San Francisco Mayoral Debate At The Commonwealth Club: Submit Your Best Questions

With Election Day only a little more than a month away, the battle to choose our next leader has taken some decidedly San Francisco twists and turns. Shenanigans of all shapes and sizes have ensued, from booing sessions and attack ads to karaoke nights and Chewbacca on a bicycle.

But nothing pleases the local politico more than a good old-fashioned debate, and as such, candidates have strutted their positions all over the city, at forums that have focused on everything from arts programs to the benefits of open government. Next Thursday, October 6 marks the mother of such forums, as every single mayoral contender will take the stage at the Commonwealth Club's Inforum debate in an effort to woo voters.

Huffington Post San Francisco is thrilled to co-sponsor the event, which will feature the likes of the heavy hitters (Ed Lee, Dennis Herrera, David Chiu), the lesser-knowns (Tony Hall, Phil Ting, Wilma Pang) and even the utter fringe (Emil Lawrence? Paul Currier?). Two of our favorite local media mavens (and HuffPost bloggers!), Beth Spotswood and Melissa Griffin, will moderate. The 16 candidates will be grilled on all topics in every format imaginable -- there's even a "lightning round."

Sound thrilling? We thought so. And we want you to be a part of it!

Ever wanted to know what John Avalos thinks of the crumbling Market Street bike lane? How about Ed Lee's plans for the future of Burning Man? Or Dennis Herrera's real opinion of the Chinatown subway project? Or if Leland Yee would ever actually force a nudist to sit on a damn towel? Or what Joanna Rees' plans for the America's Cup? Whatever questions you have for the mayoral hopefuls, we're dying to hear them.

Over the course of this week, we encourage readers to submit their best questions to the candidates in the comments section of this article, on our Facebook page, or on Twitter using the hashtag #inforumsf. We'll choose the top ones next week, when you'll have a chance to vote on your favorites. The authors of the top three questions -- revealed next Wednesday, October 5 -- will be invited to the debate to ask the candidates in person.

In the mean time, you can learn more about the event and score tickets here. But we all know winning something is better than buying something, so what are you waiting for? Send us your best questions now!

(Special thanks to the Commonwealth Club's Inforum for letting us join in the fun.)

Comments

[dentdoer]

07:59 PM on 10/04/2011

what would your 1st action be to eradicate this liberal mess once in office?

[Jurgis Pilis]

03:31 AM on 10/04/2011

As mayor what commissions and programs would you cut? Would you cut the Immigrants Rights Commission? Would you cut the Ethics Commission? Would you cut the Sherriffs Department? Would you cut DBI?

[whodo1952]

10:43 AM on 10/03/2011

In the true spirit of cooperation, and different from your own platform, what exact issue ( using their exact verbiage) from your opponents camp, would you support today, and how would you help them implement it?

[sfmayor]

03:14 AM on 10/01/2011

San Francisco's budget is a whopping $6.8 billion, which is more than double the combined budgets of Alameda County and the City of Oakland. As Mayor, how would you ensure that we are getting our money's worth? What would be some of the consequences you would enforce if your departments do not deliver expected results?

[Emil Lawrence]

05:02 PM on 09/30/2011

Hi:

SUBJECT: EMIL LAWRENCE IS LISTED ON THE BALLOT AND RUNNING FOR THE MAYOR'S OFFICE

This is San Francisco, and not the old or new Russia. In Russia, today, Putin appoints Medvedev, then Medvedev appoints Putin. In San Francisco, from the School of Willie Brown for Mayor's, Brown appoints Newsom, then Newsom appoints Lee.

THIS WEEK, I SPOKE AT THE CHINESE AMERICAN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION FORUM (CAA),SUPPOSED TO BE FOR ALL MAYORAL CANDIDATES. BUT THIS WAS TURNED INTO A CHINESE FOR ED LEE'S ROLLING CIRCUS. IN TWO HOURS, i WAS ASKED ONE & 1/2 QUESTIONS.

WE HAVE A ONE PARTY SYSTEM, HERE; the local media announces LEE seven days a week, while they block the mention of MINE

Emil Lawrence MBA

660 Westfield Road
Units 281-287
San Francisco, CA 94128

CA Department of Real Estate
Agent License – 0138873

CA/Fed Tax preparer,
Fed-Tax-License - PO1364976

SF Taxi Driver, Badge #47921
SF Para transit Driver License

SF Ramp Taxi Medallion Owner 9015
SF Wheelchair Access Taxi Owner

[e-mail]

LawrenceSFMayorCampaign.blogspot.com


I have been a candidate for Mayor of San Francisco for five months now, I have had signs plastered on sidewalks in District Two, three and Five, and not one newspaper in San Francisco has yet to mention my name. You may say, how can that be. Well, public financing has gone to mostly, you bet, the present men in office. Their, money machine is well greased with City paychecks, You might think that this City has

[sophiamd]

04:15 PM on 09/30/2011

Are you aware of Crisis Pregnancy Centers in San Francisco? How many and where are they located? What do you think of them and what should you as Mayor do or care? Supervisor Elsbernd feels they do not have deceptive practices. However, they only present the negatives of abortion and not in any context e.g. yes, you could get an infection and risk infertility and death. But the risk of death is higher carrying the pregnancy to term then with an abortion. And the risk of infertility is very very low and mainly with illegal abortions.

[Jurgis Pilis]

02:19 AM on 10/04/2011

Lets shutdown the Church of Scientology offices, branches

[sophiamd]

04:09 PM on 09/30/2011

The anti-woman, anti-abortion, anti-reproductive rights groups are going to March on San Francisco on 1/21/11. (last year was 50,000 people they say) http://www.walkforlifewc.com/ Should the prochoice, pro-reproductive rights groups have a counter march? Would you participate? and will you wear a Silver Ribbon to Trust Women with reproductive rights? http://oursilverribbon.org/ - Follow/Like us on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/hmKaES

[Gay Iberian]

03:20 PM on 09/30/2011

Will you support gay civil rights on the state and federal levels? Who's funding your campaign? Who are your constituents? Are you willing to fight for renters' rights and willing to punish landlords for breaking the law, i.e. unlawful evictions, etc.?

[RBOrbust]

02:53 PM on 09/30/2011

For Ed Lee:

Since you have been responsible for street maintenance for the last last ten years as head of DPW and City Administrator whom the DPW reports to, can we judge your job performance by the condition of our streets?

[ppaynemassage]

01:42 PM on 09/30/2011

I would ask How often a day do you knowingly lie? Follow up would be: Would the people closest to you agree with that ?

[jennielake]

06:21 PM on 09/29/2011

I would ask:

Why have all of you Sold Out to Corporations?

You know at some point we will all rise up against all of this, well, maybe after lunch.

... just saying

[Edward Wilkes]

05:36 AM on 09/29/2011

Since the accounts of American History is written in the eyes of the victor, that did steal this Nation away from the Native American Indian; is it not safe to say that, "the real illegal immigrant on the North American Continent is now the descendant's of their own ancestors whom were as well illegal immigrants? All told, now, would all contenders for, Mayor, please walk away from this illegally held platform for those seeking office, which should belong to an American Native, Tribal Chief?

[jean bennett]

03:02 PM on 09/28/2011

I was shocked and appalled to read that a despicable attack ad was placed in a Chinese Lanugage Newspaper and the same ad was not placed in an English language Newspaper. Are you running for mayor of Bejeing or San Francisco? My question is this: Instead of playing the blame game which is all you seem to do, what about playing a Solution Game, and give the people of San Francisco some hope for their futures?

[TROOPER-X]

07:10 AM on 09/28/2011

Dear candidates.........if elected mayor, would you insist that the taxpayers fund the sanctuary city?

[Foodgrade]

10:40 PM on 09/27/2011

When do you suppose that we'll ever see a Mayor that has the public interest as the only agenda again?