Welcome to our weekly “Meet the Candidates” series, in which we ask local candidates who have filed to run for office to respond to a question in 100 words or fewer. Answers will be published each week.
District 4 covers the area from 19th Avenue to Ocean Beach, Golden Gate Park to Lakeshore. It includes the Sunset, Parkside and Lakeshore neighborhoods.
Mission Local hosted a District 4 candidates forum on April 29 at the Ortega Branch library. If you missed it, you can watch the recording here.
You can read candidates’ responses to previous questions in the “Meet the Candidates” series here.
San Francisco voters overwhelmingly recalled three school board members in 2022. It was a historic move at the time, spurred by frustration about the district’s slow reopening of schools in the wake of the pandemic, a botched effort to rename 44 schools and changing admission at Lowell, the city’s most high-performing public high school, to a lottery system (a “merit-based” admissions policy based on grades and test scores was restored two years later).
District 4 saw some of the highest voter turnout in the city for the special election that recalled the school board. Since then, critiques of Lowell’s admissions policies have returned.
The two year block of students admitted through the lottery system graduated without much difference in grades between them and students who had to test into the school. After the lottery ended, the number Black and Latino students attending the school fell. Last week, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that just seven Black students plan to join the nearly 700 students that will start at Lowell this fall.
This week, we asked: Did you support the school board recall in 2022? What’s your view on merit-based admissions at Lowell High School?
Mission Local color codes the answers to yes/no questions. A blue background means the candidate answered yes, an orange background means no, and a yellow background means that the candidate answered ambiguously.
David Lee
- Job: Educator at Laney College and San Francisco State University
- Age: 57
- Residency: Homeowner, living in D4 since September 2025
- Transportation: Driving, biking, public transit and walking
- Education: Bachelor’s degree from Hamilton College, master’s and doctorate degree from San Francisco State University
- Languages: English. Can understand Cantonese, Mandarin and Toishanese, but limited fluency.
No, I am generally opposed to recalls because special elections cost our city too much money. We should resolve our political differences during regularly scheduled elections rather than through costly, off-cycle recall campaigns. However, I completely understand the deep frustration that led so many Sunset families to the ballot box in 2022.
Regarding Lowell High School, I fully support maintaining its merit-based admissions policy. Lowell is a crown jewel of our public education system and a vital engine for upward mobility, particularly for the working-class and immigrant families of District 4. Ultimately, I believe that all public high schools in … read more here.
Endorsed by: Retired judge Quentin Kopp, Lillian Sing, Julie Tang, Supervisor Chyanne Chen, Former Supervisor Aaron Peskin, Sandra Lee Fewer, Sophie Maxwell, Former SFPD Commander Richard Corriea
Alan Wong
- Job: Current District 4 Supervisor / Commander in California’s National Guard
- Age: 38
- Residency: Renter. Born and raised in District 4, and moved back to District 4 from Inner Sunset in October 2025
- Transportation: Driving, walking and public transit
- Education: Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, San Diego; master’s degree from University of San Francisco
- Languages: English, Cantonese
I support merit-based admissions at Lowell High because I believe students should be rewarded for hard work and academic achievement. I voted to recall school board members Alison Collins and Gabriela Lopez because they were too focused on ideological battles over student outcomes.
One of my opponents, Natalie Gee, opposed the recalls and later supported re-electing Gabriela Lopez to the school board after voters removed Lopez, while also accepting Lopez’s donations for her District 4 Supervisor candidacy.
As Supervisor, I will support school board candidates and policies focused on student outcomes, academic excellence, and avoid political distractions in our schools.
Endorsed by: Mayor Daniel Lurie, GrowSF, San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Democratic Party, San Francisco Police Officers Association, SF YIMBY, Former Mayor Willie Brown, Sheriff Paul Miyamoto, San Francisco Firefighters Local 798, Deputy Sheriffs’ Association of San Francisco … read more here.
Albert Chow
- Job: Owner of Great Wall Hardware, president of People of Parkside Sunset
- Age: 59
- Residency: Homeowner, living in District 4 since 1978
- Transportation: Driving and walking
- Education: Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley
- Languages: English, semi-fluent in Cantonese
I supported the School Board recall in 2022 because many families felt SFUSD had lost focus on its core mission of delivering strong educational outcomes and supporting students. Education is extremely important to Sunset families, and parents wanted leadership that prioritized academic achievement, accountability, and transparency.
I also support merit-based admissions at Lowell High School. Lowell has long been one of San Francisco’s premier public schools, and maintaining high academic standards matters. We should also be working to create more opportunities like Lowell across the city so more students can access high-quality academic programs and pathways to success.
Endorsed by: Chinese American Democratic Club, Retired SFPD Commander Richard Corriea, Retired SFPD Commander Peter Walsh, President of United Irish Cultural Center Liam Reidy
Natalie Gee
- Job: District 10 legislative aide
- Age: 40
- Residency: Renter, living in District 4 since 2021
- Transportation: Driving, walking and Muni
- Education: Bachelor’s degree from San Francisco State University
- Languages: English, Cantonese
I empathize with the frustration that led to the 2022 recall. However, those very seats were already on the ballot that same year, making it fiscally irresponsible.
I’m a proud alumnus of Lowell, but it’s important to remember that supervisors have no jurisdiction over school admissions policy. The current community of students, parents, and staff should decide, and whatever they choose, I’ll make sure District 4 students can get to school safely and that the city continues investing in their success through the PEEF and Student Success Funds.
I’m proud to be endorsed by the United Educators of San Francisco.
Endorsed by: California Working Families Party, San Francisco Labor Council, Sing Tao Daily, Former Mayor Art Agnos, Former Assemblymember Phil Ting, Assemblymember Matt Haney, Supervisor Connie Chan, Myrna Melgar, Jackie Fielder, Shamann Walton, Chyanne Chen, Former Supervisor Gordon Mar, IFPTE 21, SEIU 1021, AFT 2121, San Francisco Tenants Union … read more here.
Jeremy Greco
- Job: Campus coordinator at Presidio Hill School
- Age: 54
- Residency: Renter, living in District 4 since 2001
- Transportation: Driving
- Education: Bachelor’s degree from San Francisco State University
- Languages: English
I supported the 2022 school board recall. During COVID, SFUSD leadership focused too much on symbolic issues like school renaming while students, parents, and teachers struggled through extended distance learning.
Our family experienced this firsthand — my wife taught remotely, our girls learned from home for months, and I worked essential shifts at Other Avenues Food Store. That disconnect between leadership priorities and family reality was disqualifying.
I also support merit-based admissions at Lowell High School. Lowell has opened doors for generations of working and middle-class San Francisco families. Removing merit admissions didn’t advance equity — it removed an important pathway for … read more here.
Endorsed by: San Francisco Green Party (ranked #2)
Candidates are rotated alphabetically. Answers may be lightly edited for formatting, spelling, and grammar. Do you have questions you’d like to ask the candidates? Email junyao@missionlocal.com.
You can register to vote here.
