Eduard Navarro
Eduard Navarro ran for election to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors to represent District 3 in California. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Navarro completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Eduard Navarro earned a high school diploma from Lakeside High School, a bachelor's degree from the Georgia Tech in 2001, a bachelor's degree from the L'École Nationale Supérieure d'Architecture de Paris-La Villette in 2001, and a graduate degree from Columbia University in 2004. His career experience includes working as an entrepreneur.[1]
Elections
2024
See also: City elections in San Francisco, California (2024)
General election
General election for San Francisco Board of Supervisors District 3
The ranked-choice voting election was won by Danny Sauter in round 5 . The results of Round are displayed below. To see the results of other rounds, use the dropdown menu above to select a round and the table will update.
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Total votes: 28,758 |
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 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Navarro in this election.
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Eduard Navarro completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Navarro's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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What sets me apart is my global perspective and practical expertise in urban design, combined with a deep love for the city's unique spirit. I’m the only LGBT and Hispanic candidate in this race, and I believe strongly in ensuring that San Francisco remains a city where diversity, creativity, and opportunity thrive.
My priorities include creating more housing of all types while enhancing the city's beauty, improving public spaces, supporting local businesses, and addressing homelessness with compassionate but effective, lasting solutions. I also champion using technology in smart, responsible ways to enhance city services while protecting civil liberties. I’m committed to fostering a future where San Francisco leads in innovation while staying true to its human-centered values. I’m running as an independent candidate who can bridge both progressive and moderate viewpoints to unite our city for the better. A better San Francisco is possible!- To feel good about San Francisco, we must protect and reclaim our public spaces. Public spaces are our collective living room, meant for all to enjoy. Illegal encampments and misuse harm both the community and those in need. I am able to craft long-term solutions that address homelessness and mental health challenges while ensuring our streets, parks, and sidewalks are clean, safe, and accessible for all. With my background in urban design, I’m uniquely qualified to implement practical improvements like adding trash cans and reinventing institutions to better address mental health needs. Swift action is needed to move those in crisis off the streets and into proper care, making our shared spaces vibrant again.
- To make it possible for all to live here, we must build with heart. This means creating a mix of affordable and market-rate housing, honoring neighborhood character, and fostering belonging. We need streamlined approvals for community-focused developments that promote inclusivity, sustainability, and opportunity. Families should be able to afford to raise children here, and first responders to live in the city they serve. True affordability requires a holistic approach: streamline permitting, attract development, create paths to homeownership, and reduce property taxes. This comprehensive strategy keeps the California dream alive and makes housing and our city vibrant and accessible.
- We must unite as a city, be proud of our values, and be resolute in their defense—diversity, innovation, and compassion. Our city is a place where people find community, pursue their passions, and shape the future, remaining at the forefront of social liberty. As such, San Francisco’s success is key not only to ourselves but to the world. To preserve and promote this, we must regain confidence in our ability to solve challenges together. Let’s embrace our proven capacity and creativity to innovate to tackle housing, climate change, and inequality, while leading with accountability and compassion. Join me in achieving this vision for a brighter and bolder future. A better San Francisco is possible!
Local Authority with Statewide Impact: As the legislative body for San Francisco, the Board of Supervisors has the power to pass local ordinances, set policies, and approve the city’s budget. San Francisco’s influence extends beyond city limits, often setting trends in policy that other parts of California and the nation follow. Decisions made by the Board, from housing regulations to climate action, can serve as a model for other cities, making it a testing ground for innovative solutions.
Responsiveness to Community Needs: Unlike state-level officials, Supervisors are closely connected to their constituents, allowing them to address local issues swiftly. They act as the bridge between city residents and state policies, ensuring state laws are implemented effectively and advocating for local interests in larger discussions.
Budgetary Control and Resource Allocation: The Board controls the city’s budget, directing resources to areas like public safety, housing, transportation, and social services. This ability to control spending makes the Board crucial for shaping the quality of life in San Francisco.
Oversight and Accountability: The Board plays a key role in ensuring transparency and efficiency in city operations. They hold agencies accountable, maintaining public trust and advocating for reforms when necessary to improve service delivery. Their oversight of local implementation of state and federal programs reinforces their importance.
For city-building and social fabric, I recommend the essay The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs. Jacobs explores the importance of vibrant, mixed-use neighborhoods and the role of urban design in creating communities that are both lively and resilient. Her ideas resonate with my belief in creating human-scaled, community-responsive spaces that balance progress with preserving the character of neighborhoods.
For urban design, I draw inspiration from The Art of Building Cities by Camillo Sitte. Sitte emphasizes the value of aesthetics and the design of public spaces, advocating for cities that are not just functional but beautiful. His focus on harmonious urban design aligns with my belief in creating spaces that inspire, where people can connect and feel a sense of belonging.
Integrity: Honesty and transparency are the foundation of public trust. An elected official should be truthful in their actions and communications, making decisions based on the best interests of the community.
Empathy: Understanding the diverse needs and experiences of residents is essential. Empathy allows officials to connect with their constituents, making policies that reflect compassion and a genuine commitment to improving lives.
Accountability: An official should take responsibility for their decisions and actions, being open to feedback and willing to correct mistakes. Accountability ensures that they remain answerable to the people they serve.
Vision: A good leader must see beyond immediate challenges, envisioning a better future and creating a clear plan to achieve it. This involves thinking creatively, taking calculated risks, and inspiring others to work toward shared goals.
Conviction and Resilience: An official needs the strength of conviction to stand firm on their principles, even when facing opposition. Paired with resilience, they can navigate challenges and adapt strategies while staying true to their core values.
Collaboration: Working well with others—colleagues, community members, and different interest groups—is crucial for crafting effective policies and fostering unity. It’s about building bridges, even among differing perspectives, to reach common goals.
Representing Constituents: Supervisors must engage with residents, listen to concerns, and advocate for their needs, ensuring diverse perspectives are reflected in city decisions.
Policy Making: Crafting and amending laws to address challenges like housing, public safety, and transportation is essential. Supervisors balance innovation with practicality to improve residents' quality of life.
Oversight and Accountability: This role involves ensuring city agencies operate efficiently and transparently, advocating for reforms when needed to improve service delivery.
Budgeting and Fiscal Responsibility: Managing the city’s budget affects vital services. Supervisors must allocate resources equitably and responsibly to address community needs.
Collaboration: Working with board members, the Mayor’s office, and stakeholders is key to advancing policies that gain broad support and have lasting impacts.
Championing Values: Supervisors should uphold San Francisco’s values—diversity, inclusivity, and innovation—by supporting marginalized communities and promoting social justice.
Leading by Example: Acting with integrity, transparency, and dedication, Supervisors inspire trust and set a positive tone for city leadership.
When I was ten, back in Spain, two significant events further shaped my understanding of the world and consolidated my interest in history and geopolitics. I was still very much a kid, but I vividly remember the death of Emperor Hirohito of Japan and the fall of the Berlin Wall later in 1989. The fall of the Berlin Wall was monumental in Europe, symbolizing the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter in global politics, resonating with a sense of hope and unity. Similarly, the death of Emperor Hirohito earlier that year marked a pivotal moment in Japan’s and world history, the emperor who embodied the changes in the country's identity before WW2 and its post-war transformation. Both events profoundly impacted people around the world, illustrating the interconnectedness of global events and their significance in shaping societies. I remember watching them on TV, mesmerized by the comments of my parents, family, and family friends. It felt as a global moment, something shared by all of us the world over.
Land Use and Zoning Authority: The Board can significantly influence where housing, commercial spaces, and public facilities are built, shaping neighborhoods and the city’s growth. This control helps address housing shortages, preserve historical sites, and promote sustainable development.
Approval of City Appointments: The Board confirms or rejects appointments to key city commissions and boards, such as those overseeing police, public transportation, and planning, influencing the direction of important city agencies.
Declaring States of Emergency: The Board can declare local emergencies during natural disasters or public health crises, allowing them to allocate resources quickly and implement measures to protect public safety.
Direct Oversight of City Agencies: The Board can call hearings, request reports, and investigate city departments, providing a critical tool for transparency and driving necessary reforms.
Control Over Certain Taxation and Fees: The Board can propose and adjust local taxes and fees related to permits, licenses, and services, directly impacting city revenue and funding for public programs.
Reviewing and Approving Labor Contracts: The Board plays a role in approving labor agreements with city workers, impacting the budget, employee benefits, and the quality of city services.
Experience can help with navigating bureaucracy and building coalitions, but it often ties insiders to established ways of doing things. This can make them less willing to question the status quo or explore new approaches. As a newcomer, I am not constrained by City Hall’s traditions. I bring a fresh perspective, creativity, and a focus on innovative solutions to address issues like transparency, accountability, and inefficiencies.
But it’s not just about being an outsider—I have an extensive international background, allowing me to appreciate what makes San Francisco unique: its cultural diversity, spirit of innovation, and commitment to social justice. This background equips me to understand global challenges while valuing what makes our city special.
I also have a close connection to the community, understanding residents' daily struggles and hopes. This helps ensure my decisions are rooted in the lived realities of those I serve, not just in political norms. Being new allows me to represent voices that often feel unheard.
Strategic Vision: I I can see beyond immediate issues to shape long-term goals for economic development, housing, and sustainability. My approach to housing includes a balanced mix of affordable and market-rate options, addressing current needs while planning for growth.
Policy Knowledge: I understand local and state laws, crucial for creating effective legislation. This helps me navigate housing regulations and other complex issues, ensuring fairness and alignment with community needs.
Financial Acumen: My background in finance provides a solid grasp of budgeting and investment. Effective budget management means prioritizing spending, maintaining fiscal responsibility, and investing in projects that bring long-term benefits.
Community Engagement with Compassion & Heart: I listen to residents, ensuring their needs shape my decisions. This compassionate approach means developing housing solutions rooted in lived experiences and addressing real concerns.
Problem-Solving and Innovation: San Francisco’s challenges require creative solutions. I bring the ability to adapt quickly and find new ways to tackle issues like homelessness, affordability, and revitalizing spaces.
Collaboration and Diplomacy: I work well with diverse stakeholders to build consensus. This ensures that policies, especially around housing, reflect a broad range of perspectives, making them more effective and inclusive.
Accountability, Integrity, and Conviction: I am committed to transparency and ethical leadership. My conviction drives me to stand firm on my principles, while accountability ensures I remain answerable to the community, open to feedback, and always improving.
Local Legislative Authority: The Board creates and amends local laws, shaping policies that impact daily life, from housing and transportation to public safety. This authority allows the Board to address San Francisco’s specific needs directly.
Budget Control: The Board has significant influence over San Francisco’s budget, directing resources to critical services like housing, transportation, and public safety. This allows the Board to prioritize community needs and ensure effective use of taxpayer dollars.
Oversight and Accountability: The Board holds city agencies accountable, ensuring transparency and efficiency. Through hearings and investigations, the Board can advocate for reforms and improve service delivery.
Representation of Diverse Communities: Each Supervisor represents a district, bringing a deep understanding of local concerns. This ensures that city policies reflect the diverse voices and priorities of San Francisco’s neighborhoods.
Collaboration with Other Branches: Working alongside the Mayor’s office, the Board balances different interests and develops comprehensive strategies for key issues like homelessness and economic growth.
Regional Influence: Decisions made by the Board often set a precedent beyond San Francisco, positioning the city as a leader in innovative urban policies.
To achieve this, we must create clear metrics to measure and evaluate the effectiveness of public expenditures. By treating the city budget as an investment, we can focus on getting the "biggest bang for our buck," ensuring that every dollar spent delivers real value to residents. This approach allows us to prioritize initiatives that yield the most impact while carefully evaluating the return on investment for each program or project.
Accountability means being efficient where responsibility and authority intersect, allowing for agility and speed in decision-making. It’s about giving city agencies and departments the autonomy to act quickly while ensuring they remain answerable for their results. This balance allows the government to respond effectively to urgent needs without sacrificing oversight.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
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Candidate San Francisco Board of Supervisors District 3 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 10, 2024
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State of California Sacramento (capital) |
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