Rafael Mandelmann was unanimously elected president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors at the board’s inaugural meeting on Jan. 8, 2025, after Supervisor Dorsey placed his name in nomination and all voting members voiced support.

Supervisor Dorsey opened the nomination, saying it was “my distinct honor to place the name of Rafael Mandelmann into nomination for president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors,” and praising Mandelmann as “a principled, passionate, occasionally ponderous, and only sometimes weepy champion” of issues including substance use, behavioral health, homelessness, housing production and public transit. Supervisor Dorsey made the nomination on the record; no second was recorded.

The nomination drew public comment and brief endorsements during the meeting’s public-comment period. Supervisor Connie Chan told colleagues she supported Mandelmann’s presidency in part because of “his temperament, intellect, and good heart” and because he can “communicate effectively, calmly, respectfully with the executive branch” during a period the board described as financially challenging. Chan and other members referenced a budget shortfall the board discussed as “close to $1,000,000,000.”

After nominations were closed, the clerk called the roll in alphabetical order and each member stated their preference; the clerk declared Mandelmann elected when a majority was reached. Presiding Judge Rochelle C. East administered ceremonial oaths for newly elected and reelected members earlier in the meeting; the clerk reported that oaths for members who stood for election had been processed before noon by County Clerk Diane Rhea and that the comptroller had certified surety-bond requirements had been met for newly reelected and appointed members.

Following his election, Mandelmann took the dais, invited two colleagues to join him there, and the board recessed briefly to make technical adjustments to the chamber’s audio-visual system. Mayor Lurie attended the meeting and spoke to the board, offering a commitment to “honest, open, transparent conversations” and saying he looked forward to working with the new board and President Mandelmann.

The inaugural meeting also included introductory remarks by each newly seated supervisor representing their districts and brief remarks from continuing members. The board closed the meeting after President Mandelmann’s initial remarks and acknowledgements.

The action is recorded as an official vote of the board and appears below in “Actions.”