Thanks to hundreds of supporters, donors (from $10-$500), walkers, window sign displayers, food donors, house party throwers, and people who spread the word from one side of this town to the other (you know who you are), WE DID IT!

Not only did we win one one of the three seats in a highly competitive race with 7 candidates, but I came out  the top voter-getter in both the 4- and the 2-year race for City College Board of Trustee. I cannot thank you enough for your help in large and small ways. Everything made a difference!

While we ran this campaign without an official campaign manager, I especially want to call out my de facto campaign manager and friend Hal Fischer and my friend Brian Goldstein who have been with me since my first campaign when I ran (and lost) for District 5 Supervisor in 2012, through my successful bid this year. I also want to call out the other members of my kitchen cabinet extraordinaire Kerri Ryer, Jason McDaniel, Olivia Parker, Elizabeth LaFerriere, and Lynn Friedman who helped navigate this campaign from beginning strategy to endorsements to get out the vote. Without such a dedicated group of volunteers helping me through this, I could not have done it.

On Monday morning I attended the opening remarks in SF City  Attorney Dennis Herrera vs. Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges trial with fellow students, teachers, administrators and public officials.

In July 2013 the ACCJC made the decision to revoke City College’s accreditation, which would have closed the college. In January an SF Superior Court Judge enjoined the ACCJC’s termination of CCSF’s accreditation, pending todays suit. 

Now city attorney Dennis Herrera is fighting to keep CCSF open. Herrera alleges that the ACCJC did not treat CCSF fairly in its accreditation review process. According to Herrera, the push to allow CA junior colleges to grant four year degrees, spearheaded by Barbara Beno, lead to a political backlash when students and teachers refused to change the mission of the college in order to do so. Barbara Beno, president of the commission, is married to a team member who examined the school, and this, according to Herrera created a conflict of interest. Today Herrera’s team  asked “Would a commission member’s spouse on an evaluation team create a conflict of interest?” to which the expert replied, “I believe it does”.

It’s been a productive week, between having a session with the Chancellor with the rest of the candidates, canvassing all over the city, and a couple of last minute Voter Registration Mobilizations, one super successful one at City College.  I had to get some pictures up for you all to see the support we’re seeing with this campaign, and the diversity that San Francisco offers us all. 

I want to thank Tyra Fennell, for putting together a great Meet & Greet at her wonderful home in Bayview on Saturday. Since we forgot to take pictures of the awesome people who co-hosted (thank you, Bruce Huie and Katherine!) and attended, I’ll give you Tyra and me at my Kick Off party at the beginning of this campaign.

One of the great things about running for office is reacquainting yourself with old friends. Here’s Cheryl Stephenson of Twin Peaks’s house. She went for the triple whammy on Thea Selby signs: Thank you for representing in Twin Peaks!

Also in the Richmond:

Finally, Halloween is fast approaching, which is why we spent some time on Sunday with Scott Wiener at his Noe Valley Pumpkin Carving Party.

You could not beat the adorable kidiness of the event, with drag queen BeBe Sweetbriar handing out certificates. I made a special friend in Jack, who was the creative genius behind making the vine of the pumpkin into a nose. 

There are many opportunities to join me this week and weekend. Please see the calendar and sign up!

Warm regards,

Thea

This was a big week for San Francisco and CCSF. Not only did the Giants clinch the series with the Washington Nationals, which I was lucky enough to go to, not only did  the early voter ballots come in the mail, but also Judge Karnow rejected another attempt by ACCJC to stop the trial of the City and County of San Francisco v. ACCJC on October 27^th. This is good news for City College and we look forward to having the case go to trial beginning on October 27^th.

Thea

P.S. It’s not too late to register people to vote. You can register online until October 20th:  http://registertovote.ca.gov/

Today we began our Muni metro and Caltrain morning canvassing. Today, among other wonderful people, I met Connor Hochleutner who was kind enough to send his story into me. He says it best, so please read on. Note he proudly wears his Cal baseball cap on his head.

(Please note: City College IS accredited. Consider taking classes to help support the college — and yourself!)

Last Friday, Superior Court Judge Karnow rejected ACCJC's request to reject City Attorney Dennis Herrera's lawsuit against ACCJC.

The finding was not an easy one to follow, but it boils down to this:

Judge Karnow is holding the door open to the possibility that the ACCJC acted in a biased, politically-motivated way to unfairly and without proper process shut down City College. He wants to review the evidence in a trial October 27th, and, if he finds merit, he could overrule the revocation of accreditation.

Congratulations, Dennis Herrera and team. Onwards!

More from the San Francisco Chronicle.

Last Friday Sep 12th we officially kicked off the Thea Selby for City College Board campaign at Blackbird Bar on Market and 

Church. Former Speaker Pro Tem and candidate for Board of Equalization Fiona Ma endorsed Thea in a rousing speech, noting her commitment to the green economy, to High Speed Rail, and to public education. "Thea is a hard worker and a problem solver who  will make sure that City College gets on track," Ma said, adding that over the years, Thea had become a good friend. 

This has been an incredible week of endorsements. Over the last week, I have received the endorsements of 6 different organizations, including the very important San Francisco Democratic Party, a critical endorsement to win this race.

I am honored to say that I received the most votes of any Community College Board candidate or any Board of Education candidate. This was a great testament to what I'd like to do for City College--be able to gather support from different stakeholders as we get things done. Here's a picture of my friend and supporter who teaches at a public high school in Richmond, Tahitia Dean (left) and a friend and endorser, President of the Filipino Women's Network, Marily Mondejar (right).