San Francisco District 11 Supervisor candidate forum on AAPI issues

(1) District 11 Supervisor Candidate Chyanne Chen

Wind Newspaper Question 1: Can you give us a brief introduction of yourself? What has made you decide to run for your district's next Supervisor?

Chen Answer 1: I immigrated to San Francisco at age 15 from a small village in China, and my family has lived in District 11 for the past 24 years. I graduated from Galileo High School and UC Davis, and hold a Master's degree in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University. I am currently pursuing a Doctorate in Education. As a mother of two and caregiver to my elderly parents who live nearby, I deeply understand the needs of families and seniors. For over two decades, I have been actively serving the community, advocating for working families, seniors, and small businesses. As a bilingual and bicultural community organizer, my goal is to amplify the voices of those who are often unheard and fighting for resources that benefit our diverse community. I’m running for District 11 Supervisor to ensure public safety, language access, and a thriving local economy.

Wind Question 2: Public safety is the top priority for the Asian community. Your district covers a number of Asian neighborhoods. What is your plan to combat crimes, especially anti-Asian hate and violence?

Chen Answer 2: I will advocate for fully staffed first responder departments, including more bilingual law enforcement officers, to better serve our diverse community. Expanding foot patrols and establishing neighborhood watch groups will increase visibility and help deter crime. In collaboration with schools and organizations, I will promote anti-hate education and ensure that victims, particularly monolingual seniors and immigrants, have access to culturally competent services and safe reporting options. Holding those who commit crimes accountable is essential to ensuring justice. I support stronger enforcement and penalties for hate crimes to ensure our laws reflect the seriousness of these offenses. By taking these comprehensive actions, I aim to create a safer, more inclusive community where all residents, especially AAPIs, feel protected and supported.

Wind Question 3: What is your plan to support the small businesses who have faced huge challenges of losing customers and retail crimes in recent years?

Chen Answer 3: To support small businesses, my plan focuses on three key areas. First, I will prioritize enhancing public safety by increasing foot patrols, expanding community patrol programs, improving lighting and surveillance, and ensuring a faster response to retail crime. I will also push for penalties and accountability for retail crimes. Second, I will advocate for financial relief by pushing for more grants, low-interest loans, tax relief, and rent support, and streamlining the process to make it easier for small businesses to navigate the system and open new businesses. Finally, to revitalize local businesses, I will celebrate District 11's diverse cultural heritage by organizing more cultural events and festivals that attract foot traffic and showcase the community’s international character. I will support beautification projects, outdoor dining, and marketing campaigns to draw more customers.

Wind Question 4: Both residents and businesses are impacted by the related problems from homelessness. How will you handle homelessness in your district?

Chen Answer 4: We need greater public investments in affordable housing, mental health services, and community public safety that work. City Hall has failed to successfully address homelessness and drug addiction. We need to invest in smarter solutions: expanded treatment options, more transitional housing and rental protections to prevent homelessness and accountability to make sure departments are meeting their goals. I also believe we need to be investing more in our public education, youth and after school programs, mental health services, and workforce development with wraparound services, so that our communities can thrive and prevent crime in the long term.

Wind Question 5: Do you think Asian voters in your district should vote for you and why?

Chen Answer 5: Asian voters in District 11 should vote for me because I deeply understand the challenges faced by Asian and intergenerational families. Since high school, I have been actively involved in community service, participating in nonprofit organizations. I grew up in this city - I graduated from college, bought a home, started a family, and currently raising my daughters and caring for my aging parents, I have firsthand experience in ensuring that every generation—from children to seniors—receives the resources and support they need.

(2) District 11 Supervisor Candidate Adlah Chisti

Wind Newspaper Question 1: Can you give us a brief introduction of yourself? What has made you decide to run for your district's next Supervisor?

Chisti Answer 1: I was raised in a working-class neighborhood by a single mother, and I’ve dedicated my life to serving the community as a former teacher at James Lick Middle School and community advocate and education policy expert for the last 10 years. I’ve experienced the challenges that families in our district face—affordable housing, public safety, and education. My decision to run for Supervisor is driven by the desire to address these critical issues and ensure that every resident, especially the most vulnerable, has a voice in City Hall. My experience as an educator and community organizer has prepared me to lead with compassion, accountability, and results.

Wind Question 2: Public safety is the top priority for the Asian community. Your district covers a number of Asian neighborhoods. What is your plan to combat crimes, especially anti-Asian hate and violence?

Chisti Answer 2: I am committed to enhancing public safety by increasing community policing and ensuring there are language-accessible resources for reporting crimes. Combating anti-Asian hate requires education, collaboration with community groups, and a clear zero-tolerance policy for hate crimes. It requires strong leadership, it requires trust. We have to build trust in the community. We have to have strong victim services programs especially in the Asian community. The Asian community is the beacon of San Francisco. I will work to strengthen programs that offer support for victims, expand neighborhood watch programs, and advocate for better enforcement of laws to protect Asian residents. Safety starts with prevention, so I will push for more culturally inclusive education to combat ignorance and reduce bias.

Wind Question 3: What is your plan to support the small businesses who have faced huge challenges of losing customers and retail crimes in recent years?

Chisti Answer 3: Small businesses are the backbone of our community. To support them, I will advocate for relief grants, tax incentives, and streamlined permitting processes to help them recover and grow. Tackling retail crime requires collaboration with law enforcement and business owners to improve security measures and response times. I’ll push for stronger penalties for repeat offenders and work closely with community groups to ensure small businesses have the support they need to thrive in our district, especially those in hard-hit Asian communities.

Wind Question 4: Both residents and businesses are impacted by the related problems from homelessness. How will you handle homelessness in your district?

Chisti Answer 4: Addressing homelessness starts with providing immediate shelter and long-term housing solutions. I will push for more affordable housing units and invest in mental health and addiction services to support those in need. Partnerships with nonprofits, businesses, and city agencies are essential to create more supportive housing options and outreach programs. Additionally, I’ll advocate for expanding eviction prevention programs to ensure that residents on the brink of homelessness have the resources they need to stay housed, reducing the overall burden on our community.

Wind Question 5: Do you think Asian voters in your district should vote for you and why?

Chisti Answer 5: I am the most experienced and educated candidate with 10 years of experience as a teacher and environmental planner. I have worked almost 6 years in political campaign and know how politics work. I have my Masters in Education and Public Policy and my Juris Doctorate. I am also deeply committed to Asian community to combat Asian hate crimes and address public safety by bringing in officers to pre- pandemic levels. I have deep roots in District 11. Please vote #1 for me.

(3) District 11 Supervisor Candidate Ernest “ej” Jones

Wind Newspaper Question 1: Can you give us a brief introduction of yourself? What has made you decide to run for your district's next Supervisor?

Jones Answer 1: I’m a SF native born and raised in District 11’s Lakeview/OMI. I was raised in a working class family by my mother who was a SF Unified School District teacher and my father who was a MUNI bus driver. I’m running for this seat because this neighborhood and city have given me everything and in response I feel obligated to pledge my service to uplift and empower District 11. I started my career working for the SF Unified School District’s Legal and Equity Department. As the Director of Housing Development for the Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center, I worked to provide services to some most vulnerable residents. I’ve worked to preserve our neighborhood Senior Centers as Board Chair of the Southwest Community Corp at IT Bookman. I’ve worked as a Legislative Aide to District 11 in City Hall.

Wind Question 2: Public safety is the top priority for the Asian community. Your district covers a number of Asian neighborhoods. What is your plan to combat crimes, especially anti-Asian hate and violence?

Jones Answer 2: The best approach to reducing crime is prevention. Access to a great education, vocational training, good jobs that pay a living wage, stable housing, and services—these are the key pillars of a strong social safety net, and the most effective ways to reduce and prevent crime in the long term. Strong communities are safe communities, and we must invest in them and continue to address the root causes of crime—poverty, institutional barriers, and systemic injustice. In order to best reduce these types of crimes we must have visible safety officers present in our corridors, buses, and shopping centers and hold offenders accountable to show that hate is not tolerated. Intergenerational and intercultural programming designed to bridge the gap between communities will be an important tool to decrease anti-Asian sentiments and educate all cultures on the importance of solidarity.

Wind Question 3: What is your plan to support the small businesses who have faced huge challenges of losing customers and retail crimes in recent years?

Jones Answer 3: Safety must be holistic to truly be effective. There should be increased presence of community ambassadors in all commercial areas until staffing levels allow for foot and bike patrol officers. Discreet and easy reporting applications or text lines (similar to 311) would be an excellent way to share in the moment info when a crime or unsafe situation happens. This would be especially helpful in the Muni App where situations may be contained to a moving bus or on the street. Specifically for businesses I believe plate readers and drones are the quickest way to deter criminals.

Wind Question 4: Both residents and businesses are impacted by the related problems from homelessness. How will you handle homelessness in your district?

Jones Answer 4: Homelessness is a housing issue and a public health crisis. There is a spectrum of people experiencing homelessness. We need a comprehensive and data-driven approach to homelessness that responds to these different and specific needs. Developing supportive, permanent affordable housing is crucial. Investing in wraparound psychiatric resources is essential. Many of our neighbors are just one paycheck away from losing their housing due to the affordability crisis. Proposed solutions include emergency and need-based rental and utility assistance, resources for tenant-landlord dispute mediation and resolution, prioritizing construction, as well as improving 311 service requests for homeless individuals.

Wind Question 5: Do you think Asian voters in your district should vote for you and why?

Jones Answer 5: Yes, I believe Asian voters in our district should vote for me because of my deep commitment to serving our community. I am also the only candidate that has experience working in City Hall legislature and budgeting. I'm passionate about ensuring that District 11 receives the support and representation it deserves, and my background uniquely positions me to effectively advocate for them. I am committed to having dedicated staff and in language communication for our Asian Community Members.

(4) District 11 Supervisor Candidate Michael Lai

Wind Newspaper Question 1: Can you give us a brief introduction of yourself? What has made you decide to run for your district's next Supervisor?

Lai Answer 1: I’m running for District 11 supervisor to bring new leadership to a forgotten area, and fix SF. My parents and I came to California from China with $100 and mom bussed tables at a Chinese restaurant. I went to public schools then Harvard University. I moved to SF 10 years ago and worked on creative solutions to three of our biggest neighborhood challenges: workforce housing, childcare and small business. During COVID I raised $17.9 million to start 30 daycares that include teacher housing. COVID was a wakeup call that we have gone too far left — defunding police, renaming schools, and attacks on our Asian elders.

Wind Question 2: Public safety is the top priority for the Asian community. Your district covers a number of Asian neighborhoods. What is your plan to combat crimes, especially anti-Asian hate and violence?

Lai Answer 2: I’ve knocked on thousands of doors and it saddens me to see people don’t feel safe at night due to car break-ins, theft, robberies, drug overdoses, and street racing. We need to fully staff the police department. The two police stations in District 11, Ingleside and Taraval, are short nearly half their officers. We must increase patrols, replace police commissioners creating restrictive rules, recruit more Cantonese-speaking officers, improve neighborhood safety through traffic cameras, streetlights, and supporting neighborhood watch groups. I support strengthening the anti-Asian hate crime task force and replacing judges who release repeat offenders.

Wind Question 3: What is your plan to support the small businesses who have faced huge challenges of losing customers and retail crimes in recent years?

Lai Answer 3: A few months ago, my friend May from Hong Kong Bakery asked me to turn off the lights because her PG&E bill went up and her business was down. It made me sad. We need to stop retail theft and break-ins by reforming Prop 47, fully staffing the police department, and providing grants for small business security, to cut costs by removing all business permit fees, lowering taxes, and creating a fund to support tenant improvements for new businesses while encouraging reluctant landlords to lease. District 11 has struggled with lower foot traffic after COVID. People don’t visit unless they live here. We need to recruit anchor businesses like pharmacies, gyms, and grocery stores, and organize events to bring life back to the area. If I’m elected I’m excited to bring a night market to D11!

Wind Question 4: Both residents and businesses are impacted by the related problems from homelessness. How will you handle homelessness in your district?

Lai Answer 4: District 11 used to be mostly people from the district who fell on hard times, but now we increasingly have homeless from other parts of the city with drug & mental health challenges. I would commit to counting with my office the # of homeless, auditing nonprofits, and tying funding to results in reduction. For those not from SF, we need to expand Homeward Bound so they get bus tickets home. Aggressively expand shelter including creative tiny homes so District 11 homeless can get off the streets into shelter. For mentally ill homeless residents, change our conservatorship laws & expand mental health beds to get them into mental health beds.

Wind Question 5: Do you think Asian voters in your district should vote for you and why?

Lai Answer 5: If you want change, vote for me #1 as the first Asian supervisor for District 11! I grew up like you, a first generation immigrant, living with my grandparents, parents, & sister putting family, hard work, & education first. My parents bought a house & are now frustrated. I went to Harvard & didn’t think I would run for office, but San Francisco needs new leadership that truly represents the Asian community & our values putting public safety & education first.

(5) District 11 Supervisor Candidate Jose Morales

Wind Newspaper Question 1: Can you give us a brief introduction of yourself? What has made you decide to run for your district's next Supervisor?

Morales Answer 1: I was born and raised in District 11. From a young age, I’ve worked in this city, starting my first job at 14 years old, and I’ve seen how our neighborhoods have changed over the years. I’m running for Supervisor because our district is facing serious challenges—rising crime, lack of affordable housing, and families struggling to stay afloat. I believe our city needs fresh leadership, with a focus on accountability, common sense, and a dedication to making District 11 a safer and more affordable place for everyone to live and thrive.

Wind Question 2: Public safety is the top priority for the Asian community. Your district covers a number of Asian neighborhoods. What is your plan to combat crimes, especially anti-Asian hate and violence?

Morales Answer 2: Public safety is a critical issue, not just for the Asian community but for all of us in District 11. The rise in anti-Asian hate crimes is unacceptable, and I am committed to ensuring that every resident feels safe in their home, on their street, and in their neighborhood. My plan is to increase police presence in areas most affected by hate crimes, work closely with community leaders to foster stronger relationships between law enforcement and residents, and push for stricter consequences for violent offenders. Additionally, I will support programs that educate the community and raise awareness about hate crimes while creating safer environments for everyone.

Wind Question 3: What is your plan to support the small businesses who have faced huge challenges of losing customers and retail crimes in recent years?

Morales Answer 3: Our small businesses are the backbone of the community, and they’ve been hit hard by crime and the economic challenges of recent years. I plan to push for greater police patrols in commercial corridors to deter crime, while working on improving local infrastructure to make these areas more inviting for customers. We need to streamline the permitting process, cut down unnecessary fees, and create incentives for small business owners. I also want to establish programs that provide small business grants to help owners recover from losses due to theft or vandalism, and work on creating stronger neighborhood watch programs to help keep businesses safe.

Wind Question 4: Both residents and businesses are impacted by the related problems from homelessness. How will you handle homelessness in your district?

Morales Answer 4: Homelessness is a complex issue, and we need to approach it with both compassion and practicality. First, we must focus on building more affordable housing options, especially for those on the verge of becoming homeless. I will also advocate for expanding mental health and addiction services, which are critical in addressing the root causes of homelessness. At the same time, we need to enforce laws to prevent the unsafe conditions that many of our streets have fallen into. Collaboration between city services, non-profits, and local communities will be key in creating sustainable, humane solutions to homelessness in our district.

Wind Question 5: Do you think Asian voters in your district should vote for you and why?

Morales Answer 5: I believe that Asian voters—and all voters—should vote for me. I speak the truth about the serious challenges we face, and I won’t shy away from hard decisions. Crime, especially hate crimes targeting our Asian community, is on the rise, and many of my co-candidates are more concerned with political correctness than real solutions. I’m not here to sugarcoat the problems. I’m here to act. Asian voters deserve someone who is honest, accountable, and focused on making this district a safer and more prosperous place for everyone.

*Editor's Note:

Wind Newspaper, an English and Chinese bilingual weekly news publication based in San Francisco, was launched during the pandemic in 2020 with a goal to keep the Chinese and Asian community members informed with local news and be the voice for them.

In a major election year in 2024, while most of the local news media coverage is focused on the mayoral race in San Francisco for the November 5 election, Wind Newspaper is interested in helping San Francisco Asian voters who make up 37% of the population to know more of the candidates who are running for Supervisor positions in six districts where all of them cover the Asian populated neighborhoods.

Wind Newspaper sent a questionnaire with the same five questions to all 34 supervisor candidates and provided two different deadlines to accommodate their busy schedules.

Wind Newspaper publishes the Supervisor Candidate Forum in both English and Chinese languages. Some answers in Chinese were submitted by candidates, some were translated by Wind Newspaper. Some answers were edited due to the length of their submissions.

Seven candidates who have not responded or answered to our questionnaires are Allen Jones and Scotty Jacobs running for District 5 Supervisor, Edward Yee for District 7, Julian Bermudez and H. Brown for District 9, Oscar Flores and Roger Marenco for District 11.