Some of the November endorsements of San Francisco's leading progressive LGBTQ Democratic organization were "potentially fraudulent" and "compromised," according to a stunning statement from the club posted to Facebook on August 31. The club's president has stepped down and an investigation is being conducted.
As of Tuesday, September 3, the club's endorsements remained on its website and Facebook page.
Jeffrey Kwong, a gay man who was president of the Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, stepped down after he "thought it best for the credibility of the club and our endorsed candidates to remove himself," the statement read. The club's leadership had voted August 30 to retain an attorney as an investigation proceeds.
The identity of the attorney was confirmed as Scott Emblidge of Moscone Emblidge and Rubens, Gary McCoy, a gay man who is the club's vice president of communications, stated to the Bay Area Reporter September 3. Emblidge will "guide the investigation with our newly created investigation subcommittee" and will have more to share at the club's next meeting, McCoy stated.
The club's statement was short on specifics.
"It has come to our attention this week that a number of our recent endorsement votes (PAC and General Membership) have been compromised and potentially fraudulent, and through the process of identifying the various related issues, we've also found other irregularities in our systems," the club stated. "Overnight on Friday, most of our operational accounts for a number of committees had been deleted."
Notably, the club's endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for president was not one of the races listed as having been compromised. As the B.A.R. previously reported, the club rescinded a primary endorsement for President Joe Biden to be the party's nominee back in January over the Biden-Harris administration's support for the Israel-Hamas war. (The club did make it clear at the time that this was only in relation to the Democratic Party's primary process and that an endorsement might be forthcoming for the November election.)
Club Vice President of Membership Melissa Hernandez, a queer and bi woman, is now the acting president. Hernandez had run against Kwong last year, seeking to be a co-president with Michael Rouppet, as the Bay Area Reporter reported contemporaneously.
"My priority, shared by the entire board, is to ensure the well-being of the Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club by identifying responsible parties, closing the gaps in our voting processes, and preserving the club's legacy for future generations of LGBTQ progressives," Hernandez stated to the B.A.R.
Kwong issued a statement September 1 saying he intended to remain involved in local politics and was grateful of the support he had received since the news of his resignation became public. He had first been elected to lead the progressive political group in 2023, making Kwong the first Asian American man to serve in the position and the first Asian American elected president of the Milk club in close to three decades, as the B.A.R. had noted at the time.
"I am proud of my tenure as president of the Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club — we became the largest, most influential progressive organization in San Francisco run by volunteers. Internal divides and challenges aside, my focus has always been on fostering a broad multi-ethnic working-class coalition that can win elections and drive real change," he stated. "I am eternally grateful to allies and friends who have supported me — Thank you. As I explore new opportunities where I can have the greatest impact, I remain rooted in the words of Harvey Milk, 'Hope will never be silent.'"
Next meeting Sept. 7
The club will meet Saturday, September 7, at 3 p.m. at the San Francisco LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market Street, McCoy stated, at which time the club will "hear from our newly created subcommittee and members that will be leading the investigation efforts on these improprieties," according to the statement.
McCoy clarified that "since COVID, eligible [Milk club] members have been able to vote either in person at meetings, or by joining those meetings virtually on Zoom." According to the statement, "we strongly encourage all members who can attend in-person [on September 7] to do so. In light of recent events, virtual members attending will be required to verify their identity, and will need to have their cameras on for the duration of the meeting for their votes to be considered valid."
The club's political action committee and general membership endorsement votes will be made on the impacted races, which were for California's U.S. Senate seat, San Francisco City Attorney, three of four seats on the San Francisco Board of Education, three of four seats on the San Francisco Community College District Board of Trustees, Propositions F and K (relating to police staffing and the Great Highway closure, respectively), and the vote on whether to rescind the endorsement of gay state Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), who is more aligned with the party's Yes in My Backyard and moderate faction. The club endorsed Wiener earlier this year.
Wiener, through a representative, declined a request for comment.
A new president will be selected at that meeting to serve the remainder of Kwong's term through early 2025, McCoy stated. Milk club presidents, who can serve alone or with a co-president, are normally elected to a one-year term at the club's first membership meeting of the year.
The club's statement — prefaced as "some unfortunate news" early the Saturday of Labor Day weekend — sent shockwaves through the city's political circles. The Milk club is the more progressive of the city's two LGBTQ Democratic clubs. The San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee charters the clubs, and "activities include voter registration, issue advocacy, hosting candidate forums and social events, and endorsements of candidates and ballot measures," according to the committee's website.
Updated, 9/3/24: This article has been updated with more information about the upcoming meeting.
Updated, 0/4/24: This article has been updated to indicate state Senator Scott Wiener declined to comment.
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