I spent the last six years moving San Francisco, one of the country’s most progressive cities, back toward the political center.

I led Neighbors for a Better San Francisco, a centrist political advocacy organization focused on ousting extremist politicians and policies, and replacing them with responsible, talented leaders dedicated to serious change.

We helped recall three failed school board members who had driven our school district into fiscal ruin and made Algebra illegal in the 8th grade. We recalled District Attorney Chesa Boudin, who allowed open-air drug markets to grow and anti-Asian hate crimes to skyrocket by 567%.

And we elected a new crop of reform-minded leaders to the Board of Supervisors, the Board of Education, the District Attorney’s office, and the Mayor’s office, creating a moderate majority in City Hall in just four years.

It was hard, grueling, painful work.

But now we’re seeing the fruits of that labor. Businesses have come back to San Francisco. Crime is at a 20-year low, and car break-ins have dropped 43%. Our schools are finally finding financial stability and it’s legal again to teach Algebra in the 8th grade.

I started The New Pragmatic to continue that work beyond San Francisco. We cover moderate and centrist politics across California and the country. We believe that centrism isn’t a mushy middle between two extremes. It is an unwavering commitment to great public education and public safety. It is a focus on building the American Dream for our families. It is a demand for a competent and functioning government. And most importantly, it is fearlessly calling out politicians and policies that are stupid and crazy.

I’m thrilled to host this publication with my good friend, Amanda Blackwood. She’s smart, funny, and joyous. We don’t agree on everything, and it’s more fun that way.

Read us at TheNewPragmatic.com, follow us on X, Instagram, and TikTok, and watch or listen on Youtube and on your favorite podcast app. Just search “The New Pragmatic”.