San Francisco District 9 Supervisor candidate forum on AAPI issues

(1) District 9 Supervisor Candidate Trevor Chandler

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?

Chandler Answer 1: Most recently I was a 3rd grade public school teacher and before that worked in public safety technology and LGBTQ civil rights. I decided to run for Supervisor because I was tired of a City Hall that was more focused on ideology than safety and outcomes and wanted to get our City Hall back to basics focusing on supporting our small businesses and ensuring safe and clean streets.

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?

Chandler Answer 2: I have been a consistent leader on public safety calling for an accountable, responsive, and fully staffed police department. We must hold those who break the law accountable. I have walked Chinatown with community leaders to protect Asian elders from attacks and I have also helped put public safety technology in the hands of San Francisco's Asian community for free to better protect them. We must have beat cops patrolling our streets and we must prosecute hate crimes fully.

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?

Chandler Answer 3: We must prosecute and hold shoplifters accountable. I support a fully staffed police department that will ensure we can have a rapid response to retail crimes and catch criminals before they get away.

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

Chandler Answer 4: If shelter and services are refused, I support moving encampments and having penalties for those who continually break the law. We can be compassionate while also ensuring accountability for those who refuse shelter and services.

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

Chandler Answer 5: I am honored to be the only candidate endorsed by the Chinese American Democratic Club and the Ed Lee Democratic Club. I have consistently stood with the Chinese community against anti-Asian hate and am the strongest candidate running when it comes to public safety. I commit to ensuring the Chinese community's voice is heard in City Hall and not ignored like it has been the last 8 years.

(2) District 9 Supervisor Candidate Jackie Fielder

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?

Fielder Answer 1: I am a former educator, city commissioner and proud granddaughter of Native American and Mexican immigrants. I graduated from Stanford with a bachelors in public policy and master’s in sociology. I was raised by a single mom, and I’m a renter who has dealt with housing insecurity; I know what it’s like to struggle to afford to live in this city. I’m running because our neighborhoods are being sold off to the highest bidder one by one here in San Francisco. My campaign is funded largely by people in District 9, and this ensures that I am accountable to the constituents of District 9.

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?

Fielder Answer 2: Despite police responding to 40% fewer calls, their response times are slower than ever. Limited resources means we need to get smart on safety. Those officers need to prioritize violent crimes and emergencies and divert lower level calls to trained professionals in homeless services and mental healthcare. We need to triple the presence of community ambassadors in high-traffic, high-crime areas, offer small business grants for preventative security measures and recovery costs, and ensure consequences for those responsible for acts of violence, with a primary focus on reducing repeat offenses.

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?

Fielder Answer 3: Firstly, we need data-driven, proven community safety solutions to increase foot traffic. Our small businesses, and the customers that support them, must feel safe & comfortable going out in their communities. My plans to fully fund our public safety system, while also increasing mental health and addiction resources, will help to create vibrant, thriving public spaces. As supervisor I will fight to extend aid to small businesses for security measures & graffiti abatement. We need funds currently restricted to vandalism repairs to be expanded to enhance burglary and shoplifting security. I will work with the city and state to both streamline processes and increase access to city grants.

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

Fielder Answer 4: In San Francisco, it takes about six months for someone to be placed into housing after filing the necessary paperwork. In a city with thousands of vacant commercial and residential spaces, this isn’t just a matter of resources, it’s a matter of political will. As Supervisor I will also fight for expanding the number of beds for mental health and substance abuse treatment, and fixing the infrastructure of SROs which prevent people from becoming homeless. Lastly, I will fight to end student homelessness, because right now, there are 1,800 homeless SFUSD students.

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

Fielder Answer 5: I would be honored to have the support of Asian voters in District 9. My priorities are public safety, homelessness, and investing in affordable housing. I am an independent voice in City Hall I have spent the past 19 months meeting with experts across our District and City, including many Asian leaders, to generate solutions to our biggest problems.

(3) District 9 Supervisor Candidate Jaime Gutierrez

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?

Gutierrez Answer 1: I am a lifelong resident of District 9, an Army veteran and UC Berkeley graduate. I have worked a number of different jobs and am currently a transit supervisor for MUNI. I decided to run for Supervisor because of the decline I witness everyday in my neighborhood and at my job. Crime is out of control and City Hall decisions are not effective in bringing security to our families or our elders. The neighborhood businesses I support are suffering as the City continues to make policies that discourage customers from patronizing. Therefore, we need new leadership to revive respect for the law and to encourage customers to shop at local businesses by making access to these businesses easier.

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?

Gutierrez Answer 2: We need to hold criminals accountable for their actions. The Asian community is suffering the effects of the criminal reform experiment and the experiment is not working. There are two top issues that need to be addressed. First, judges need to be scrutinized before they are elected. Too many SF judges are not holding criminals accountable. Secondly, we need more police officers. The “defund the police” movement encouraged early retirement. SF has only graduated 37 cadets from the police academy with a staff shortage of 500. We need a solution to incentivize recruitment. I propose a GI Bill style solution which shall be a down payment for a SF house after five years of service. I also want a police station at Woolsey and Hamilton Streets.

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?

Gutierrez Answer 3: My position from the beginning is to bring businesses more customers. Currently, San Francisco has policies that encourage customers to shop outside of San Francisco. Transit policies that render streets one lane, confusing traffic controls, elimination of parking, parking fees, and 25% parking taxes all encourage customers to leave the city. By easing traffic controls, creating more parking, and lowering parking costs, we shall create incentives for people to visit our businesses.

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

Gutierrez Answer 4: There are different classes of homeless. The mentally ill should not be left to live on the street. We need to care for them. Alcoholics and drug addicts need help. This refusal of help should not be endured by our families and businesses which are currently suffering. Homeless drug addicts contribute almost exclusively to unsustainable retail crime to satisfy addictions. There are other homeless cases than mentally ill and drug addicts such as elders losing their homes or families suffering a tragedy. These cases need all the help we can provide.

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

Gutierrez Answer 5: Asian voters in District 9 should vote for me for several reasons. The Asian community and I share many values that distinguish me from the other candidates. Firstly, criminals need to be held accountable. We need to be honest that criminal reform is not working and without security we all suffer. Voting for me is a statement that we want to hold criminals accountable for what they have done to us. Secondly, we need to bring our businesses more customers. I am the only candidate that recognizes that the City is discouraging customers from visiting our businesses

(4) District 9 Supervisor Candidate Roberto Hernandez

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?

Hernandez Answer 1: I was born and raised in District 9 and have dedicated my life to serving our community. From my work with Carnaval SF to launching the Mission Food Hub during the pandemic, I’ve always stepped up when my neighbors needed me. As a trained organizer under Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez, I understand the power of grassroots activism and the importance of addressing the real needs of our community. I’m running for Supervisor because I’ve seen too many decisions made at City Hall that don’t reflect the experiences of everyday San Franciscans. It’s time for leadership that listens and takes action. We deserve a Supervisor who’s truly committed to the well-being of every resident and one who can get things done in District 9.

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?

Hernandez Answer 2: I stand with the Asian community in condemning the rise in anti-Asian hate and violence. My plan focuses on prevention and accountability. We’ll launch a District 9 community ambassador program to place trained, multilingual ambassadors on our streets, partnering with law enforcement to ensure a visible, trusted presence in neighborhoods like Mission Street and San Bruno Avenue. I’ll work to bring back the senior escort program to protect our most vulnerable residents. We’ll also increase investment in violence prevention and mental health services, addressing root causes of crime. Collaboration between law enforcement and the community will be key to tackling these issues head-on. Every person in District 9, regardless of race, deserves to feel safe.

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?

Hernandez Answer 3: Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and I’m committed to cutting the red tape that makes it hard for them to thrive. First, I’ll work to increase grant funding to support small businesses recovering from the pandemic. We must also address retail crimes by working closely with law enforcement and business owners to improve street safety, including the expansion of community ambassador programs and better street lighting. Additionally, I will work to fill vacant storefronts and prioritize keeping our streets clean and safe to restore customer confidence in our local businesses.

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

Hernandez Answer 4: Homelessness is a complex issue that requires both compassion and practical solutions. I support expanding mental health services and addiction recovery programs to address the root causes of chronic homelessness. My plan includes advocating for more affordable and supportive housing, which provides not only shelter but also wraparound services to help individuals transition off the streets. We also need more family shelters that connect them towards permanent housing. Protecting vulnerable populations, including domestic violence survivors, will be a priority.

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

Hernandez Answer 5: Asian voters should vote for me because I’ve always been deeply committed to serving all residents of District 9, including our Asian community. I’m the only candidate who has successfully led efforts to build over 1,400 units of affordable housing in our district, many of which are currently occupied by Asian families. I understand the unique challenges faced by our Asian neighbors, and I’m dedicated to addressing issues like public safety, housing affordability, and support for small businesses. I plan to hire an Asian community member as a liaison on my staff to ensure that the concerns of the community are directly communicated and acted upon.

(5) District 9 Supervisor Candidate Stephen Jon Torres

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?

Torres Answer 1: I am a 24-year hospitality worker in the local small business sector. I am also a renter. I have represented workers and the community in the Entertainment Commission and Cultural Districts and believe residents can benefit from having someone who shares many of the same experiences as they do, but also understands how to navigate 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?

Torres Answer 2: Our city must use many approaches; from investing in and supporting small businesses to create vibrant and safer neighborhoods, to programs to protect youth and seniors, to foot

patrols, to a police department that responds to victims and has community cultural representation in its officers.

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?

Torres Answer 3: We must listen to small business owners and lower onerous taxes and fees that are levied against them and expedite support and grants for those who are victims of crime and vandalism. We must invest in the rich heritage they bring to our city.

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

Torres Answer 4: We must use multiple approaches to not just move homeless people into other neighborhoods, but use collaboration between city departments to lower housing costs, protect against evictions especially of seniors, and invest in temporary shelter.

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

Torres Answer 5: .I have deep respect for the Asian communities who have enriched our city, state and country. I believe their support must be earned, and will listen to their wisdom when making policy and work hard to earn their respect.

*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.