Wiener alters old Guardian cover — former editor not amused

https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Wiener-alters-old-Guardian-cover-former-10415063.php

Lizzie Johnson Oct. 26, 2016 Updated: Oct. 26, 2016 1:23 p.m.

Roger Ritter, President of West of Twin Peaks Central Council, center, talks to Supervisor Scott Wiener about crime and public safety concerns as Mary Ritter, Roger’s wife, listens at right, while Wiener campaigs at the West Portal Muni stop Sept. 23, 2016 in San Francisco, Calif.Photo: Leah Millis, The Chronicle

A recent campaign mailer for Supervisor Scott Wiener’s state Senate race is uncannily similar to a past Bay Area Guardian cover — with one distinct difference.

In the mailer, Wiener poses with his arms crossed next to a title reading “Political Machine.” But the quote underneath was replaced with another from the same story boasting of his pro-tenant legislation. It also included a statement of support from state Sen. Mark Leno, whose seat Wiener and Supervisor Jane Kim are running for.

But on the original cover, the caption cautions that Wiener has not always changed San Francisco for the better. Tim Redmond, founder of the progressive blog 48 Hills and former executive editor of the Guardian, first reported on the mailer and criticized Wiener for the transgression, saying “it’s just dishonest; there’s no other way to describe it.”

The mailer also ignited the easily sparked outrage of the San Francisco Tenants Union. Deepa Varma, a spokeswoman for the group, said Wiener “should be ashamed” and apologize to voters.

Weiener campaign spokeswoman Maggie Muir admitted that the Guardian cover was altered. But she said the aftermath was an attack from a biased blog.

“It’s a bunch of sour grapes by Tim,” Muir said. “Tim is just bitter that Scott has a strong record of expanding rent control and protecting renters, and that the Guardian article commended Scott for his work.”

— Lizzie Johnson

Lizzie Johnson is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ljohnson@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @LizzieJohnsonnn