Theo Ellington wins San Francisco District 10 supervisor race

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

Theo Ellington will represent San Francisco’s District 10 after winning 67% of the vote to defeat nine opponents. His main rival, Dion-Jay “DJ” Brookter, finished with 31%.

The win flips a seat held by termed-out progressive Supervisor Shamann Walton to a mayor-aligned moderate. Ellington campaigned with Mayor Daniel Lurie’s endorsement, strong party backing and a record-setting independent expenditure from cryptocurrency billionaire Chris Larsen.

Why it matters

District 10 decides land-use and police-surveillance rules for a district facing shipyard cleanup and major redevelopment.

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Key Indicators

67%

Ellington’s final vote share

Share after ranked-choice tabulation.

31%

Brookter’s final vote share

Main rival’s share after ranked-choice tabulation.

$495K

Ellington campaign raised

More than all opponents combined under the city’s $500 donation cap.

$540K

Larsen PAC contribution

Chris Larsen gave $500,000 plus another $40,000 in October.

Candidates on the ballot

Ellington defeated nine opponents in the ranked-choice race.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

People Involved

Theo Ellington

Supervisor-elect, District 10; executive director, Ruth Williams Opera House

Won election; expected to take office in January 2027

Dion-Jay "DJ" Brookter

Chief executive, Young Community Developers; District 10 candidate

Finished second with 31%

JR Eppler

Small-business attorney; District 10 candidate

Finished third

Chris Larsen

Cryptocurrency billionaire and donor

Gave $540,000 to pro-Ellington PAC

Daniel Lurie

Mayor of San Francisco

Endorsed Ellington

Shamann Walton

Outgoing District 10 supervisor

Termed out; endorsed Brookter

Organizations Involved

San Francisco Board of Supervisors

City legislative body

Ellington joins as District 10 supervisor

The 11-member board writes city laws and approves land-use and public-safety policies.

Ruth Williams Opera House

Community arts nonprofit

Ellington is executive director

The Bayview arts organization is Ellington’s current professional base.

Pro-Ellington independent expenditure committee

Political action committee

Spent record-setting funds supporting Ellington

The PAC received large donations and spent heavily on digital advertising for Ellington.

GrowSF

Political action committee

Spent $180,000 supporting Ellington

The mayor-aligned advocacy group backed Ellington’s supervisor campaign.

Timeline

October 2025 November 2026

5 events Latest: Yesterday

Tap a bar to jump to that date

November 2026
Ellington wins District 10 supervisor race
Latest Election

Ellington takes 67% after ranked-choice tabulation, defeating nine opponents.
Yesterday
October 2026
Larsen gives $500,000 to pro-Ellington PAC
Campaign finance

The donation is reported as the largest individual contribution ever in a San Francisco supervisor race.
October 2026
Larsen adds $40,000 to pro-Ellington PAC
Campaign finance

The additional contribution brings Larsen’s total support for the PAC to $540,000.
October 2026
San Francisco passes 45-day AI data-center pause
Policy

The city approves a short moratorium as District 10 candidates promise a longer pause.
October 2026
October 2025
Ellington enters District 10 race
Campaign

Ellington declares his candidacy for the seat held by termed-out Supervisor Shamann Walton.
October 2025

Scenarios

Ellington joins Lurie bloc on major board votes

Likely Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: San Francisco Standard and Mission Local coverage of endorsements and campaign positions

Ellington’s endorsements and his support for Mayor Daniel Lurie’s ballot measures suggest he will vote with the mayor-aligned bloc on housing and public-safety items. The test comes once he takes office and the board takes up contested land-use and surveillance measures.

Ellington introduces District 10 AI data-center moratorium

Possible Resolves by Q1 2027

Discussed by: Mission Local reporting on candidate promises

Ellington promised to introduce a moratorium on AI data centers in the neighborhood. The city passed a 45-day pause in October. A longer district-level or citywide moratorium would require formal legislation and board votes.

Board approves Flock camera policy with retention limits

Uncertain Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: Mission Local and San Francisco Standard reporting on candidate positions

Ellington supports Flock license-plate cameras with retention limits, while Brookter and Eppler sought a permanent ban. A board vote on the camera program or a new retention policy would settle the district’s surveillance rules.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

2018

Ellington’s first District 10 run (2018)

Theo Ellington ran for District 10 supervisor at 29, the youngest candidate in the race. He finished third with about 20% of the vote.

Then

He lost to the eventual winner and remained a relative unknown.

Now

The race gave him a public profile and a base for a later comeback.

Why this matters now

It shows how Ellington moved from a long-shot first campaign to the establishment front-runner in 2026.

through 2026

Progressive hold on District 10 (through 2026)

District 10 had long been represented by progressives. Supervisor Shamann Walton, a progressive not allied with Mayor Daniel Lurie, was termed out in 2026.

Then

The open seat became a contest between a mayor-aligned moderate and progressive candidates.

Now

Ellington’s win flips the seat to a mayor-aligned moderate.

Why this matters now

The flip changes the board’s balance and gives Mayor Lurie another likely ally on housing and public-safety votes.