Dorsey, Behrend Will Face Off in November 2026 Election
District 6 Supervisor Matt Dorsey faces challenger Alex Behrend this November in San Francisco.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Substance Abuse
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District 6 Supervisor Matt Dorsey will compete against challenger Alex Behrend in the November 2026 election. The campaign comes as San Francisco continues to navigate public drug policy and rising accidental overdose deaths.
Why it matters
The race highlights ongoing debates over the citys approach to drug policy, following a shift that prioritizes treatment cessation over some harm-reduction practices.
Official health records tracked 625 accidental overdose deaths in 2025, compared to 351 deaths through August 2026. A 2025 study noted that people who smoke opioids have a 30 percent lower mortality rate than those who inject them.
The players
Matt Dorsey
He currently serves as the District 6 supervisor after being appointed by the mayor in 2022.
Alex Behrend
He is the challenger running against the incumbent for the District 6 supervisor seat.
London Breed
She serves as the Mayor of San Francisco and appointed the current District 6 supervisor.
The details
The city passed the Recovery First ordinance in May 2025 to combine law enforcement, treatment, and prevention efforts, while barring city-funded programs from distributing safer-smoking supplies in public. Local drug policy now mandates that any permitted safer-use distribution must include counseling and active attempts to connect individuals to treatment programs.
Timeline
May 9, 2022: Matt Dorsey was appointed as District 6 supervisor.
April 2025: The city barred distribution of safer-smoking supplies in public.
May 2025: The Board of Supervisors passed the Recovery First ordinance.
2025: The city recorded 625 accidental overdose deaths.
January 2026-August 2026: The city recorded 351 overdose deaths.
Health Landscape
The upcoming election acts as a critical evaluation of the citys Recovery First ordinance, which shifted the focus of local drug policy toward treatment-based cessation. This pivot marks a departure from previous harm-reduction strategies and continues to define the political debate in San Francisco.
The results of the election will determine the future direction of public safety and addiction services in the city. Residents can expect the outcome to influence how the city regulates harm-reduction programs and distributes public funds for treatment.
The takeaway
Voters in District 6 must decide if the citys current drug policy, which emphasizes abstinence over certain harm-reduction measures, is the right path forward. Keeping up with local ordinance changes remains essential for residents impacted by the ongoing crisis in neighborhoods like the Tenderloin and SoMa.
Further reading
For more information on local health initiatives, visit the San Francisco Substance Abuse section.
More information
To prepare for the upcoming ballot, visit the San Francisco voter registration portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mission Local.
Live Poll
Should your local government continue funding harm-reduction services for people who use drugs?
