Board elects Supervisor Tang interim president ahead of Chu—s move to state Assembly

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors elected Supervisor Tang as interim president on Nov. 18 following debate about whether to delay the vote until the full board could participate.

Supervisor Farrell nominated Supervisor Tang; the nomination received no competing nominations and passed in the roll call vote with nine recorded votes in favor at the ballot (transcript shows 8 recorded ayes on the final tally for the single candidate). The board had discussed whether to defer selection until a date when all supervisors could be present. Opponents of delaying argued that the city needed a seamless transition so the board would not be without a presiding officer when President David Chu is sworn into the state Assembly on Dec. 1. Supporters of deferral said it would be more collegial and democratic to schedule the election when all members could participate; a motion to refer the matter to committee failed.

Supervisor Tang said she appreciated the board—s support and pledged to focus on a smooth transition and to preside as a neutral chair until a longer‑term president is chosen in January when the new board membership will be in place.

The election was conducted under the board—s rules for filling a vacancy in the office of board president, with nominations opened, a single nomination received and the roll call vote held. The board concurrently set a committee schedule for a related procedural matter (committee of the whole to receive public comment on nominations earlier in the meeting) and proceeded with the item after public comment.