Welcome back to the “Meet the Candidates” series for District 11, where we ask each candidate to answer one question every week leading up to the election. They must answer the question in 100 words or less. We will link to longer answers.
With District 11 Supervisor Ahsha Safaí termed out and running for mayor, seven candidates have thrown their hats in the ring to represent the Excelsior, Oceanview and the Outer Mission.
One of the things that made District 11 special is that it has a lot of multi-generational households. In week 19, we are asking the supervisorial hopefuls: What will you do, as district supervisor, to support multi-generational households in District 11?
Mission Local is hosting a candidate forum in District 11 on July 10 from 6 to 7:30pm at the Italian American Social Club, at 25 Russia Ave. I will be the forum moderator. The event will be free to attend and you can register here.
Next week, I will be at TS Cafe at 4754 Mission St. on Thursday, July 11, at 5:30 p.m. Drop by and share your thoughts! xueer@missionlocal.com
Jose Morales
- 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
Jose Morales has not provided an answer to the question.
Chyanne Chen
- Job: Worker organizer, community facilitator and educator
- Age: 39
- Residency: Homeowner, landlord, living in District 11 since August 2000
- Transportation: Walk, public transportation, rideshare, and car
- Education: Bachelor’s degree from University of California, Davis, master’s degree from Cornell University, doctoral degree in education in progress at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Languages: English, Mandarin, Cantonese
I understand the challenges multi-generational households face. I’m a mom of two and a caretaker for my elderly parents, who live nearby. I know that many families like mine live in District 11 and are often not well-served by current programs. These challenges became more obvious during Covid-19, when limited housing, social distancing and remote learning put even more pressure on our families.
We need to do more to support the health and safety of seniors and children, that includes enhanced programs, expanded library and community center hours (our hours have been drastically cut in recent years) and improved … read more here
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
Many families in District 11 share experiences like mine. My parents purchased our home in the ’70s, and now I live in the same house with my two-year-old daughter and my parents. Like many in our community, my responsibilities changed, and have made me the primary caregiver for them as their in-home support services provider, and now also a proud union member of SEIU 2015.
With 67 percent of District 11 being homeowners, supporting legislation for the expansion of ADUs is necessary. ADUs add to our housing stock and would decrease the housing shortage we are currently facing. As we … read more here
Ernest “E.J.” Jones
- Job: Community advocate
- Age: 38
- Residency: Tenant, living in District 11 since November 1985 and has lived here always, except for time away at college
- Transportation: Public, car
- Education: Bachelor’s degree, Dominican University, master’s degree in public administration from University of San Francisco
- Languages: English, Spanish
District 11’s multi-generational households exist throughout the district, and are one of the most unique qualities of this district.
By providing dedicated support for each generation, we can adequately support these households. We must create strong universal childcare, strong educational opportunities, and support after-school programs for our youth. These opportunities free up hours for parents to be able to learn skills, work and build income for the family. We must also provide robust health and activity services for our seniors in the community. Creating opportunities for intergenerational collaboration such as community events, gardens, and collaborative programming brings all generations together … read more here
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
Michael Lai
- Job: Early education director, elected to the San Francisco Democratic Party
- Age: 31
- Residency: Tenant, living in District 11 since February 2024
- Transportation: Public
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in government at Harvard College with coursework at Harvard Graduate School of Education
- Languages: English, Mandarin
Like many in our district, I grew up in a multi-generational immigrant household with my grandparents from China, parents, and little sister.
First, we need to increase housing affordability by building more housing, especially affordable housing. Our district is “house-rich, cash-poor,” so we need to increase the ways existing homeowners can earn income while transforming their space for family or others. I would look at flexible financing tools and policies so that families can build ADUs, have lot-splits, and build duplexes if they so wish, and look into reducing regulatory barriers for home sharing, giving homeowners more opportunities to generate … read more here
Endorsed by: Attorney General Rob Bonta, Senator Scott Wiener, Sheriff Paul Miyamoto, Supervisors Joel Engardio and Matt Dorsey, NorCal Carpenters Union. 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
We will establish a counseling program, which will focus on bringing solutions to the issues that multi-generational households are facing. We will work on creating a debt-relief assistance program, whether it be through a small financial assistance program, or through a low-interest debt-relief loan program. We will also work on incentives for multi-generational households that are willing and able to build ADUs on their property. We need to work on providing new, different and/or modern incentives for multi-generational households.
District 11 contribution
Money raised and spent in the District 11 supervisor race
Money raised
Money spent
Ernest “E.J.” Jones
$34,342
$70,501
Chyanne Chen
$0
Adlah Chisti
$0
Roger Marenco
$0
$0
$50,000
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
Money spent
Money raised
Ernest “E.J.” Jones
$70,501
$34,342
Chyanne Chen
$0
Adlah Chisti
$0
Roger Marenco
$0
$0
$50K
$100K
$150K
$200K
Source: San Francisco Ethics Commission, as of April 3, 2024. Chart by Junyao Yang.
Candidates are ordered alphabetically but rotated weekly. 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.
The District 11 candidates present thoughtful approaches to support multi-generational households, emphasizing housing affordability, ADU expansion, and robust community programs. Their diverse backgrounds and experiences reflect a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by these families, promising a brighter future through enhanced health, education, and intergenerational collaboration initiatives.