J. Eugene McAteer

J Eugene McAteer (February 28, 1916–May 26, 1967) was a San Francisco Supervisor (1953–1958) and a California State Senator (1959–1967).[1] He coauthored legislation to start the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission.[2] The commission's first director, Joseph Bodovitz, said, "What people tend to forget now is how unusual it was to have anybody of McAteer's stature interested in an environmental issue in the sixties."[3]

J. Eugene McAteer
Member of the California Senate from the 9th district
In office January 2, 1967 - May 26, 1967
Preceded by	John C. Begovich
Succeeded by	Milton Marks
Member of the California Senate from the 14th district
In office January 5, 1959 - January 2, 1967
Preceded by	Robert I. McCarthy
Succeeded by	Clark L. Bradley
Personal details
Born	(1916-02-28)February 28, 1916 San Francisco, California, US
Died	May 26, 1967(1967-05-26) (aged 51) San Francisco, California, US
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Frances
Children	3
Military service
Branch/service	United States Navy
Battles/wars	World War II

In 1967, McAteer, a Democrat, announced his intent to run for Mayor of San Francisco in the November election, opposing the Democratic incumbent John F. Shelley as well as perennial Republican candidate, Harold Dobbs. The campaign was cut short by McAteer's untimely death at age 51 in May of that year, while playing handball at the Olympic Club's downtown facility. Shortly thereafter, attorney Joseph L. Alioto, then working on the McAteer campaign, entered the race and subsequently won that fall's election, eventually serving two terms in the office of Mayor.