Bilal Mahmood elected SF’s first Muslim South Asian supervisor

In a historic move, Bilal Mahmood has been elected as the District 5 Supervisor in San Francisco, becoming the first Muslim, Pakistani American and South Asian to serve on the city’s Board of Supervisors.

According to CBS News, Mahmood defeated incumbent Dean Preston in a competitive race that reflected shifting voter priorities in the city. His victory is seen as a mandate for balanced and pragmatic leadership in addressing critical issues.

Preston had been the most progressive member of the Board of Supervisors.

As described by KTVU, Mahmood campaigned on key issues such as tackling housing affordability, enhancing public safety, and streamlining bureaucratic processes to foster economic growth. He emphasized a collaborative approach to governance, seeking to bridge divides between progressive and moderate factions within the city.

The former policy analyst and tech entrepreneur resonated with voters seeking effective and inclusive solutions to the city’s challenges, including homelessness and economic inequality. He has expressed a commitment to working closely with other supervisors and community leaders to develop impactful policies that meet the diverse needs of District 5 residents.

“For too long in San Francisco there’s been a focus on ideology rather than compromise, kind of textbook definitions on how to address housing and safety, but we formed a coalition of a campaign that included people from progressives and moderates,” said Mahmood to CBS5.