Former San Francisco Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier is hosting an event this evening to officially kick off her campaign for mayor.
Alioto-Pier, who served as supervisor from 2004 until January when she was termed out of office, took out the paperwork to run for mayor about three weeks ago, campaign adviser Sterling Clifford said.
She is in a crowded field of candidates hoping to win the mayoral race in November. Other candidates include state Sen. Leland Yee, Supervisor David Chiu, City Attorney Dennis Herrera, City Assessor-Recorder Phil Ting, and fellow former supervisors Bevan Dufty and Tony Hall.
Mayor Ed Lee, who was appointed when former Mayor Gavin Newsom was elected the state’s lieutenant governor, is expected to return to his old job as city administrator after serving out the year as mayor.
More than 100 people expected to attend tonight’s kickoff event for Alioto-Pier, including current and former supervisors, according to Clifford.
Alioto-Pier was known as one of the more moderate supervisors during her time on the board and is a nationally known disability rights advocate after an accident in 1981 left her unable to walk.
Her family has a long history in San Francisco and its politics. Her grandfather, Joe Alioto, was the city’s mayor from 1968 to 1976, as well as a gubernatorial candidate, and her aunt Angela Alioto was a supervisor from 1988 to 1996, and also ran for mayor.
Alioto-Pier’s great grandfather opened a fish market at Fisherman’s Wharf, which is now Alioto’s, the oldest restaurant on the wharf, according to its website.
The restaurant is the site of this evening’s campaign event, which is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Dan McMenamin, Bay City News
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