District 11 Supervisor Ahsha Safaí is termed out — and running for mayor — and, so far, four candidates have thrown their hats in the ring to replace him as the representative of the Excelsior, Oceanview and Outer Mission.
We are inviting all the supervisorial hopefuls for District 11 to our weekly Q&A series, “Meet the Candidates,” in which they answer one question every week in 100 words or fewer until the November 2024 election. All the responses will be compiled into one single page where readers can peruse the candidates’ stances on some 40 topics before it’s time to vote.
In our first edition for District 11, we are asking: What is your number one issue in this election and what do you plan to do about it?
Chyanne Chen
- Job: Sales professional, small business owner
- Age: 28
- Residency: Tenant, born in District 11 in 1995 and has lived there since, except for time away in college from 2014 to 2017 and living in Idaho from 2021 to the end of 2022
- Transportation: Car
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in economics from Sonoma State University
- Languages: English, Spanish
My foremost goal is to improve the quality of life in our district, emphasizing safety, vibrancy, and inclusivity.
My plan revolves around creating stable environments for our children and seniors, bolstering local businesses, and ensuring reliable public transit. I aim to bridge community divides through cross-racial solidarity and collaborative action. Tackling pedestrian safety and advocating for improved public amenities like recreation centers, parks and libraries, are key priorities.
As an immigrant mother with two decades of neighborhood involvement, I’m committed to uniting and empowering our community, leveraging my extensive organizing experience to build a safe and accessible neighborhood for all.
Endorsed by: Assemblymember Phil Ting, former police commissioner Larry Yee, San Francisco Board of Education commissioner Jenny Lam, former supervisors Norman Yee, Sandy Fewer and Mabel Teng.
Adlah Chisti
- Job: Public policy analyst, caregiver
- Age: 40
- Residency: Live with parents and caregive for them, born in District 11 in 1983 and lived there since, moved out in 2013 and back in 2017
- Transportation: Public
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in politics and in environmental science, and master’s degree in education from University of San Francisco, master’s degree in public policy from Georgetown McCourt School of Public Policy, juris doctorate from University of California Law, San Francisco
- Languages: English, Spanish, Hindi
Ensuring livability is essential for families, children, and seniors, and prioritizing their safety is paramount. Quality, affordable childcare and access to early childhood education contribute to the economic stability and safety of the community.
To address safety concerns, we need to expand community policing and the police ambassador program to continue working with District 11 businesses, families, seniors, nonprofits and neighborhood associations. We need a comprehensive approach for our District that provides quality services while effectively addressing crime, behavioral and mental health issues. By implementing these measures, we can create a safer and more supportive environment for everyone in our community.
Ernest “E.J.” Jones
- Job: Community advocate
- Age: 38
- Residency: Living in District 11 since November 1985 and has lived here always, except for time away at college
Public safety and its connection to economic vitality is the consistent issue neighbors are talking about throughout my District. Families and business owners alike want to see a decrease in business vandalism, car break-ins and robberies. Crimes like these harm our commercial corridors and leave residents feeling unsafe and unprotected.
I plan to create a District 11 safety plan that holistically approaches safety issues using the coordination of neighborhood activations, community-oriented policing, and investments in mental health and wellness programs. Within 100 days in office, I will publish the District 11 safety plan based on my conversations with community groups, residents and merchants.
Endorsed by: Supervisors Shamann Walton and Myrna Melgar, Assemblymember Matt Haney, Former SF mayor Willie Brown Jr., Transit Workers Union Local 250A… read more here
Roger Marenco
- Job: Transit operator
- Age: 42
- Residency: Tenant, living in District 11 since May 2014
- Transportation: Public
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in environmental sustainability and social justice from San Francisco State University. City College San Francisco
- Languages: English, Spanish
Public safety is our most important issue. Backwards-thinking politicians believe that giving more never-ending second chances and more of our tax dollars to the homeless, to drug users and to criminals, will reduce crime. This backwards thinking insanity is the reason why vagrants are allowed to defecate anywhere on the streets, why people are allowed to use drugs in public spaces and why criminals are given neverending second-chances.
Let’s stop protecting criminals and let’s start protecting our families. We need to re-appropriate our tax dollars, so that we can fund the real programs, which will protect our families.
Candidates are ordered alphabetically. Answers may be lightly edited for formatting, spelling, and grammar. If you have questions for the candidates, please let us know at xueer@missionlocal.com.
Read the rest of the District 11 questions here, and the entire “Meet the Candidates” series here.
You can register to vote via the sf.gov website. Illustrations for the series by Neil Ballard.
I love how Roger Marenco dedicating his support towards the family’s first and not the criminals. We need a big change in SF and our State. Im tired seen this drug pandemic destroying our city and streets. Maybe Marenco is the next person that can make this change. Would also love to hear more about his plans for SF.
There was a guy running the last cycle who’s platform was something like “No More Trash” (because Alemany is basically a landfill) and “No More Crime”. I wish he’d run again.
I like the sound of Marenco and am interested in hearing more.
We have to cut back on crime in this city, and even more importantly, we have to cut back on our tolerance of crime. The Macy’s that is closing downtown had a shrinkage rate of 16%! No wonder it’s closing.
We can’t keep ignoring major businesses closing and leaving town like this. We’re going to be Detroit of the 1990s if we don’t take action soon.