A listener note, this episode contains descriptions of violence and references to suicide and may not be suitable for a younger audience.

It's November 13, 1975. George Moscone steps into a conference room in an office in San Francisco.

The space is cluttered with stacks of campaign flyers and half empty cups of coffee. On the walls are posters that say, Moscone for mayor.

Moscone takes a seat as his campaign chief, Don Bradley, quickly tries to tidy up the room.

In a few minutes, the two men are going to meet with a religious leader and political activist who could be key to their campaign.

Moscone is a longtime California politician who rose through the Democratic ranks to become the party's majority leader in the California State Senate.

Now he has a sight set on a powerful but more local position, mayor of San Francisco.

Moscone is passionate about progressive politics, which have always played well in San Francisco.

But in this election, many of the city's white voters have been drawn to Moscone's Republican challenger, John Barbogelata.

He's vowed to crack down on crime and steer San Francisco away from what many view as radical leftist politics.

The race has gotten tight. But Moscone's team has done the math and they believe the way to win isn't to change the minds of conservative white voters.

It's to build support from liberal black voters, which is why Moscone is turning to Jim Jones.

Jones is the leader of a large, racially diverse church called the People's Temple.

Moscone has known about Jones for a while now.

He's attended events run by the People's Temple and he sees how Jones has been able to mobilize his congregation to help sway elections up in Mendocino County.

So Moscone is hoping Jones will sign on to help him win the upcoming election in San Francisco.

Because with a race this tight, Moscone will need every vote he can get.

The door of the campaign office swings open and Jones enters, wearing a pair of aviator sunglasses.

He takes a seat across from Moscone but doesn't take off the sunglasses.

Reverend Jones, it's good to see you again. Before we start, it's too bright in here. We can turn off a couple of lights.

No, I'm fine. Thank you. It's just how I feel more comfortable.

Why don't we get down to business? How can I help you?

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