We endorse Michael Lai for Supervisor in District 11. Michael is the only candidate in the race who emphasizes a fully staffed and accountable police department, comprehensive solutions to homelessness, and increasing housing supply to make living in San Francisco affordable.

I'm running for D11 supervisor to fight to keep my family's story alive, and fight for an often forgotten & marginalized district full of working families, prioritizing public safety, quality affordable childcare & schools, building housing (especially workforce & affordable housing), and small business vibrancy.

Michael LaiCandidate for Supervisor; Early Education Director

On the issues

Here's where the top candidates stand on the issues that matter most to residents of District 11:

Read our deep-dive on the candidates' fentanyl crisis plans here.

Why Vote for Michael Lai?

Michael's top three policy goals are:

1. Safe and Clean Streets

Michael understands the critical need for safe and clean streets. He emphasizes the importance of a clean city through more efficient public works, street cleanups, and enforcement against illegal dumping. He advocates for a "fully staffed, efficient, and accountable" police department, increased traffic enforcement, higher clearance rates in the DA's office, and more mental health beds.

2. Affordable Housing

Michael is committed to making it easier to build all types of housing and increasing funding for subsidized low-income housing. He supports upzoning along commercial and transit corridors, and streamlining the permitting process. These reforms will make it easier, faster, and more affordable to build homes in San Francisco.

3. Economic Recovery for Small Businesses and Downtown

Michael aims to revitalize struggling small business corridors in District 11 and downtown San Francisco. He supports creative initiatives to attract businesses back to downtown, which would also help our struggling transit systems by increasing ridership. His approach includes reducing the number of permits, the time, and cost to start a new business.

Michael's professional experience demonstrates his capability to achieve these goals. He has a strong background in community organizing, serving on the board of Wu Yee, the largest Head Start preschool in SF, and has taken active roles in several civic and professional organizations. He created a network of new types of small child care centers that helped add needed supply into the early childhood care system.

Michael's focus on arresting fentanyl dealers, ensuring a responsive police department, and building more affordable housing aligns with what's needed in District 11. His holistic approach to public safety includes both enforcement and community-based solutions. He supports evidence-based approaches to addressing the city's overdose crisis and expanding mental health services.

We need a fully staffed, efficient, and accountable police department. We need increased traffic enforcement & stop lights and cameras. We need higher clearance rates in our DA's office, and from judges around repeat offenders. We need more mental health beds, a reformed code around conservatorship, crackdown on fentanyl dealing, and expanded treatment & services, so people can get off the streets and into the care they need.

Michael LaiCandidate for Supervisor; Early Education Director

Finally, Michael is one of the only candidates in District 11 who acknowledges the critical need for more homes in San Francisco. He is committed to making the permitting process more efficient and ensuring that every neighborhood plays a part in solving the housing crisis.

We believe Michael Lai is the best choice for District 11 Supervisor. His practical experience, commitment to public safety, focus on lowering the cost of living, and support for small businesses make him the ideal candidate to represent the residents of Excelsior, Oceanview, and Ingleside.