Rafael Mandelman – A San Francisco kind of Democrat

• Public law and affordable housing attorney
• Former Commissioner, San Francisco Board of Appeals
• Vice-Chair, Democratic County Central Committee
• Past president, Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club
• Past president, Noe Valley Democratic Club
• B.A. Yale, M.P.P. Harvard, J.D. UC Berkeley

San Francisco roots

Rafael Mandelman arrived in San Francisco twenty-five years ago, an 11 year-old kid in need of a new start. He found his home here, living with his grandmother and four other foster families until he was 18, eventually graduating from Lick Wilmerding High School.

Rafael was a City kid, relying on Muni to get around, doing homework at the neighborhood library, and hanging out with his friends at Ocean Beach. He competed in cross-country in Golden Gate Park, and like thousands of other kids, received his medical care at UCSF and SF General. As a teenager, he learned first-hand the possibility and challenges of local government while interning for the Board of Supervisors.

The skills to make a difference

Today, as a public law attorney, Rafael works with local communities on important issues like affordable housing, municipal budgeting, land use, environmental protection, and development – all critical issues for San Francisco. He understands how decisions made at City Hall can impact our neighborhoods and has put his skills to use as a commissioner on the City’s Building Inspection Commission and on the Board of Appeals, where he has worked to ensure laws are applied fairly and that neighborhood concerns receive adequate attention.

A progressive leader

Rafael has served as President of the Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club and the Noe Valley Democratic Club, and has twice been elected to the San Francisco Democratic Party, where he currently serves as Vice-Chair.

In each of these roles, Rafael has worked to build coalitions between neighborhoods, activists, affordable housing advocates, environmentalists, working people and all others who believe the purpose of politics is to build a better world.

San Francisco Values

Rafael’s history, experience and qualifications have helped define his values. Values that reflect those of the residents of San Francisco, the best city on the planet, and those of the residents of District 8, the heart of that city.