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.
In this election year, there are two candidates running for district attorney: The incumbent, Brooke Jenkins, and her opponent, Ryan Khojasteh.
This week, we ask the District 11 supervisor contenders: Who do you support in the district attorney race and why?
Two candidates, Jose Morales and Michael Lai, support Jenkins for district attorney, while Roger Marenco backs Khojasteh.
The other three candidates — Chyanne Chen, Adlah Chisti and Ernest “EJ” Jones — all declined to say which contender they back in the DA race.
Next week, I will be on the mayoral campaign trail. In the meantime, you can reach me with questions, comments, and tips at 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
I support DA Brooke Jenkins, because she has been doing a great job. San Francisco is moving away from being a city known for allowing everyone to get away with everything to a city where laws are enforced.
I believe Jenkins will continue to lead us in the right direction.
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 have not endorsed any candidate for district attorney.
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
I will fully support and work with whichever district attorney the voters elect.
Endorsed by: United Educators of San Francisco, Green Party, Run for Something, Police Commissioner Debra Walker, … read more here
Ernest “EJ” 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
The district attorney acts as San Francisco’s top law-enforcement official. Considering the path of the presidential nominee Kamala Harris, and with safety being a massive part of the discussion in the upcoming election, more people are focused on who we elect for the position. Each candidate has explained how they plan to hold people accountable and be more engaged with the community.
While I would love to see each of the lawyers flex their skills and knowledge of the law in a debate or courtroom argument format, I’m prepared to work closely to ensure community safety with whoever the people choose in November.
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
I support District Attorney Brooke Jenkins and was proud to stand with her alongside other supporters when she pulled papers last week at City Hall for her reelection.
Public safety is the No. 1 concern for District 11 residents and, under her watch, San Francisco has gotten safer; violent crime is down 14 percent, property crime is down 32 percent since 2023, and drug overdoses are down in the first half of 2024.
DA Jenkins has increased prosecutions of fentanyl dealers, partnering with the US attorney, federal DEA, and more; she has cracked down on retail theft, and increased enforcement on repeat violent offenders… 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
Ryan Khojasteh — because when we walk into Walgreens, we can see that the Cheetos remain locked up and the criminals are still free. It’s time to stop playing politics and start realizing that criminals belong in jail. Innocent people become victims of these criminals, and innocent companies are leaving San Francisco because of these criminals. Criminals do not need help, resources, guidance, assistance, programs or safe-houses; they only need jail.
Let’s give Khojasteh a chance to see if he’s ready, willing and able to treat criminals like criminals, so that you and your family can feel safe walking down the street.
Campaign finance
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.
