Richard Procter

Richard Procter is an editor at CalMatters in charge of housing, homelessness, technology and economy coverage. Prior to joining CalMatters he was the editor-in-chief of SF Weekly and an editor at the San Francisco Business Times. His work has appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Magazine, Forbes, and Polygon. He has won several awards for his journalism, both as a reporter and editor. 

He has led investigations that showed sheriffs continued to evict tenants after Gov. Gavin Newsom’s pandemic eviction moratorium; California missed several chances to stop theft, to the detriment of victims and taxpayers; and the dire state of mobile home management accountability in California.  

Richard likes to say that journalists are the most pessimistic idealists you will ever meet. Despite his outward cynicism, he draws strength from reporting that actually makes a difference, which sometimes starts with asking whether someone actually read their email. 

He believes in never asking subordinates to do something you wouldn’t do, short meetings, and the Oxford comma. In his spare time he enjoys movies and rooting for sports teams that perform well until right before the championship (Packers, Dodgers, Lakers).  

He is a graduate of UC Davis and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.