Mission forum presses congressional hopefuls on progressive creds
Five congressional candidates faced tough questions from Mission residents about housing, immigration, and who would truly fight for working families in D.C.
Rosario Hernández wasn’t buying the campaign promises. The longtime Mission resident sat in the front row at Wednesday night’s congressional candidate forum at Casa Guadalupe, arms crossed as five hopefuls for Nancy Pelosi’s seat tried to out-progressive each other.
“They all say the same things about housing and immigration,” Hernández said during a break. “But who’s actually going to fight for families like mine?”
The forum, organized by the Mission Neighborhood Coalition, drew about 80 residents to press candidates on issues that matter most to the district’s working-class Latino families: affordable housing, immigration enforcement, and small business support.
State Senator Scott Wiener faced the toughest questions about his housing legislation, with several attendees challenging whether his market-rate development approach truly helps longtime residents. “Building more condos doesn’t help my neighbor who got evicted last month,” said community organizer Ana Flores.
Assemblymember Matt Haney emphasized his work on tenant protections, while Supervisor Aaron Peskin highlighted his opposition to luxury developments in Chinatown. Former supervisor David Campos, who grew up in the Mission, spoke in Spanish about his family’s immigration story.
Businesswoman Marjan Philhour was the only candidate to address the forum in both English and Spanish without notes, drawing nods from older residents.
The sharpest exchange came over sanctuary city policies. When Wiener defended his nuanced approach to federal immigration enforcement, several audience members shouted questions about ICE raids on 24th Street.
“My clients are scared to take their kids to school,” said immigration attorney Carmen Delgado from the audience. “We need someone who won’t compromise on protection.”
Campos responded most directly: “No collaboration with ICE, period. That’s not progressive – that’s basic human decency.”
The candidates largely agreed on major issues – Medicare for All, Green New Deal, Palestinian rights – making their differences more about emphasis than ideology. Peskin stressed his environmental record, while Haney focused on his work with unhoused residents.
For many attendees, the forum highlighted how gentrification has changed political conversations in the Mission. “Ten years ago, we were fighting just to be heard,” said longtime resident Miguel Santos. “Now everyone wants our vote, but will they remember us in Washington?”
The primary election is March 5, with early voting already underway at City Hall.