Randy Shaw

Randy Shaw is the Editor of Beyond Chron and the Director of San Francisco’s Tenderloin Housing Clinic, which publishes Beyond Chron. Shaw's new book is the revised and updated, The Tenderloin: Sex, Crime and Resistance in the Heart of San Francisco. His prior books include Generation Priced Out: Who Gets to Live in the New Urban America. The Activist's Handbook: Winning Social Change in the 21st Century, and Beyond the Fields: Cesar Chavez, the UFW and the Struggle for Justice in the 21st Century.

Articles by Randy Shaw

San Francisco Election Predictions November 2026

Posted November 2, 2026 by Randy Shaw

San Francisco’s November 2026 election is topped by the Chan-Wiener congressional race. It has also seen record spending over local ballot measures. Here’s how our crystal ball sees the outcomes. Props D, E and F: Charter Reform Few San Francisco Read More »

California and Los Angeles Election Predictions

Posted November 2, 2026 by Randy Shaw

Which Way Will Voters Go? California only has one state office race in doubt. The state also has a Billionaire Tax, an $11.25 billion affordable housing bond and a Los Angeles mayor’s race going down to the wire. Here’s our Read More »

San Francisco’s Unusual November Election

Posted October 26, 2026 by Randy Shaw

Big Money Over Grassroots Activism? This November may be the most important midterm election in United States history. Campaigns across the country are in a fever pitch. Early voter turnout is breaking records. The future of democracy is on the Read More »

Has Oakland Turned the Corner?

Posted October 26, 2026 by Randy Shaw

Lee Leads Oakland’s Comeback Oakland has faced tough times since Covid. A city on the rise suddenly went in reverse. Investment dried up, crime rose, and popular areas like Lake Merritt filled with the unhoused. Voters made matters worse in Read More »

Why San Francisco Voters Should Back Prop I

Posted October 19, 2026 by Randy Shaw

Reject Opponents False Claims San Francisco voters regularly approve housing bonds and other strategies to expand affordable housing. So what should opponents of affordable housing measures like San Francisco’s Prop I do? Tell the truth about Prop I and likely Read More »

SF Voters Should Reject Prop D

Posted October 19, 2026 by Randy Shaw

Putting Democracy Up for Sale San Francisco voters are being swamped with ads for Mayor Lurie’s measures D, E and F. The message: we need these initiatives to stop $1.7 million toilets, help small businesses and make City Hall run Read More »

Changing America Requires Investing in Ongoing Organizing

Posted October 12, 2026 by Randy Shaw

Organizing Must Soon Begin for 2028 Thanks to those spending nights and weekends mobilizing and persuading voters. Phoning or door-knocking is essential. Intensive outreach leading up to November’s elections is the best available strategy for overcoming big money campaigns. But Read More »

How Midwest Liberalism Transformed America

Posted October 12, 2026 by Randy Shaw

Minnesota’s Civil Rights Advocacy Reshaped the Nation I grew up politically influenced by my grandmother, Hylda Levin. She was a huge fan of Hubert Humphrey so I became one as well. I used to describe myself as a Hubert Humphrey Read More »