Seven people are running to represent District 11 on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors after incumbent Ahsha Safaí announced his run for mayor.
State of play: District 11 includes the Excelsior, Merced Heights, Ingleside and Oceanview neighborhoods.
By the numbers: Michael Lai currently leads the fundraising race with over $374,000 raised (about $204,700 in public financing ), campaign filings show.
- Ernest "EJ" Jones has the second most funding with more than $337,000 raised (almost $222,900 in public financing).
Meet the candidates: Axios San Francisco asked each candidate the same question: What is the first policy you'd enact or change if elected and why?
- Here's what they had to say.
Chyanne Chen, parent/community advocate
Photo courtesy of Chyanne Chen
Background: Chen's history of organizing in San Francisco includes campaigning for paid sick leave, securing pay increases for essential workers and facilitating cross-racial solidarity workshops with Chinese immigrants.
- She is endorsed by the city's progressive wing.
If elected, Chen said she'd expand free before- and after-school programs that include meals for every child.
- Lifelong San Franciscans say it used to be "much easier for working families to make their dollars stretch and not have to worry about their kids," she noted. "We must redouble our efforts to ensure families can thrive in our city."
Adlah Chisti, policy analyst/planner
Photo courtesy of Adlah Chisti
Background: Chisti has worked as a public safety dispatcher, James Lick Middle School teacher and Caltrans environmental planner.
- She served as a legislative and policy aide for Kamala Harris' 2016 Senate campaign before transitioning to local politics.
If elected, Chisti said she'd restore pre-pandemic hiring levels and expand workforce housing for public safety staff like emergency service workers.
- Her plan includes increasing foot and bike patrols, bolstering neighborhood watch and expanding pathways for community members to become officers.
Ernest "EJ" Jones, community organizer
Photo courtesy of Ernest Jones
Background: Jones ' work experience includes assisting with equity at the San Francisco Unified School District and providing public housing services at Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center.
- He most recently served as a legislative aide for Safaí, who along with the city's progressive wing has endorsed Jones.
If elected, Jones said he'd streamline the process for inspecting, permitting and registering businesses so it's "easier to activate vacant spaces."
- "Paired with a local business incubator space the changes could revive corridors that have so much potential."
Michael Lai, early education director
Photo courtesy of Michael Lai
Background: Lai is the founder of Tinycare, a daycare network that provided housing for teachers. He sold it in 2023 and has since pivoted to organizing Asian-centered community events.
- Elected to the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee in April, Lai is backed by the moderate-leaning San Francisco Democratic Party as well as more prominent politicians like Andrew Yang.
If elected, Lai said he'd boost safe and clean streets by redirecting police overtime to recruiting, increasing pedestrian safety and enforcing illegal dumping fines.
- "Ultimately, I'm running to drive outcomes, not just pass laws."
Jose Morales, small business owner
Photo courtesy of Jose Morales
Background: Morales owns Luna's Mobile Detailing, has worked as an emergency medical technician and has experience with residential cleaning.
If elected, Morales said he'd "ensure our commercial corridors are safe" by establishing mandatory treatment programs for people with mental illness and drug addictions.
- "By focusing on both enforcement and compassionate solutions, we can restore safety and support those in need."
Oscar Flores, project engineer
Background: Flores has a mechanical/space engineering background and serves as a board member at his church.
- He is endorsed by the San Francisco Republican Party.
Flores did not respond to Axios' question but has said he'd seek to establish "zero-tolerance" policies for crime and clean streets by increasing free curbside pickups.
Roger Marenco, organizer/transit operator
Background: Marenco is an SFMTA streetcar operator who previously served as president of the Transport Workers Union Local 250A, where he later faced accusations of using racially derogatory language against board members.
Marenco did not respond to Axios' question but has said he wants to crack down on crime and prioritize safer public transportation.
What's next: The election is Nov. 5, with vote-by-mail ballots expected to arrive soon.
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