Association for the Advancement of Asians (AAA)

2024 San Francisco
Candidate Report Card

As part of our commitment to accountability and advocacy for the San Francisco Asian community, AAA is releasing its first candidate report card for the November 2024 elections. This report evaluates candidates running for Mayor, Districts 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, the Board of Education, and City College of San Francisco.

The report card provides an objective assessment based on both qualitative and quantitative data, aiming to highlight candidates who align with the community's core values: Public Safety, Public Education, and Economic Development.

Data Sources:

  • Candidate Questionnaires: Sent to top candidates based on fundraising (top 5 for Mayor, top 3 for Supervisors, and all Board of Education and City College candidates), these questionnaires provide direct insights into their priorities and strategies.

  • Independent Research: Besides the questionnaires, we conducted independent research, reviewing public information and evaluating candidates' past performance and effectiveness.

Evaluation Criteria:

  • Track Record: Candidates’ past roles, accomplishments, and measurable outcomes were considered.

  • Results Orientation: We assessed their ability to achieve results that align with the community’s core values.

  • Positions on Key Issues: Special focus was placed on stances related to the recall of District Attorney Chesa Boudin and Board of Education members, endorsements, and economic policies.

Our approach ensures a transparent, rigorous evaluation process aligned with the AAA’s mission. Note that some candidates received a "Fail" rating due to non-responses to our survey or lack of publicly available information.

Values Aligned

Approved

Values Not Aligned

Opposed

Values Unclear

No position

No Response

No response

BOARD OF EDUCATION CANDIDATES

Min Chang

ARC Rating: A

Chang offers a strong approach to improving our schools that aligns with the community's public education priorities. With her background as a business executive, she has a proven record of success in financial and operational turnarounds, which will be vital in addressing the fiscal challenges at SFUSD. She articulates a clear plan for increasing enrollment, enhancing the curriculum, and raising standards for educators. Chang's engagement with schools, parents, and teachers reflects her commitment to prioritizing student success, particularly through gifted programs, accelerated classes, and merit-based admissions.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Supported the 2022 District Attorney recall

2022
DA RECALL

Values aligned

Opposed the 2024 Prop B (cop tax - police staffing only with additional taxes)

MAR 2024
PROP B

Values aligned

Supported the 2024 Prop E (allow police to use 21st-century technology tools)

MAR 2024
PROP E

Values aligned

EDUCATION

Supported the 2024 Board of Education recall

2022
BOE RECALL

Values aligned

Supported the 2024 Prop G (offer algebra to 8th graders)

2024
PROP G

Values aligned

Supryia Ray

ARC Rating: A

Ray's strong emphasis on public safety in schools is vital for creating a secure learning environment. Her commitment to protecting and enhancing special programs that families value is commendable. She has a thorough understanding of the district’s needs and challenges, and her focus on financial stability is essential for ensuring the district operates within its budget while delivering services effectively. As a lawyer, her ability to think critically and navigate complex legal issues will be a valuable asset to the board.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Supported the 2022 District Attorney recall

2022
DA RECALL

Values aligned

Opposed the 2024 Prop B (cop tax - police staffing only with additional taxes)

MAR 2024
PROP B

Values aligned

Supported the 2024 Prop E (allow police to use 21st-century technology tools)

MAR 2024
PROP E

Values aligned

EDUCATION

Supported the 2024 Board of Education recall

2022
BOE RECALL

Values aligned

Supported the 2024 Prop G (offer algebra to 8th graders)

2024
PROP G

Values aligned

John Jersin

ARC Rating: A

Jersin's strong emphasis on public safety, budget oversight, and commitment to educational excellence aligns closely with the priorities of our Asian community. His experience in building a successful business and founding an education foundation equips him with valuable insights into fiscal and operational management, which will be crucial in addressing SFUSD's budget crisis and improving its operations. We appreciate his innovative solutions for tackling the deficit and look forward to learning more about his specific strategies for achieving these objectives.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Supported the 2022 District Attorney recall

2022
DA RECALL

Values aligned

Opposed the 2024 Prop B (cop tax - police staffing only with additional taxes)

MAR 2024
PROP B

Values aligned

Supported the 2024 Prop E (allow police to use 21st-century technology tools)

MAR 2024
PROP E

Values aligned

EDUCATION

Supported the 2024 Board of Education recall

2022
BOE RECALL

Values aligned

Supported the 2024 Prop G (offer algebra to 8th graders)

2024
PROP G

Values aligned

Laurence Lem Lee

ARC Rating: A

Lee has actively advocated for maintaining Lowell High School as a merit-based institution, a key priority for the Asian community, while also advocating for enhanced safety and education for San Francisco students. He played a significant role in the Board of Education recall and devoted many hours to understanding the school’s budget and system, providing constructive feedback at public meetings. His service on the San Francisco Citizens’ General Obligation Bond Oversight Committee has also given him insight into the SFUSD budget crisis. His commitment to the community and educational excellence is commendable.

Note: Lee, a member of the AAA Board, did not participate in the creation or review of the report card and was evaluated in the same manner as all other candidates.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Supported the 2022 District Attorney recall

2022
DA RECALL

Values aligned

Opposed the 2024 Prop B (cop tax - police staffing only with additional taxes)

MAR 2024
PROP B

Values aligned

Supported the 2024 Prop E (allow police to use 21st-century technology tools)

MAR 2024
PROP E

Values aligned

EDUCATION

Supported the 2024 Board of Education recall

2022
BOE RECALL

Values aligned

Supported the 2024 Prop G (offer algebra to 8th graders)

2024
PROP G

Values aligned

Parag Gupta

ARC Rating: B

Gupta's systematic approach to addressing the challenges in San Francisco's education system aligns with our priorities. His experience on his child's School Site Council and his election to the Democratic County Central Committee (DCCC) give him valuable insights into the city's complex political landscape and the skills to navigate it effectively. His background will have a positive impact on the education system.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Supported the 2022 District Attorney recall

2022
DA RECALL

Values aligned

Supported the 2024 Prop B (cop tax - police staffing only with additional taxes)

MAR 2024
PROP B

Values not aligned

Supported the 2024 Prop E (allow police to use 21st-century technology tools)

MAR 2024
PROP E

Values aligned

EDUCATION

Supported the 2024 Board of Education recall

2022
BOE RECALL

Values aligned

Supported the 2024 Prop G (offer algebra to 8th graders)

2024
PROP G

Values aligned

Virginia Cheung

ARC Rating: B

Cheung's emphasis on budget balancing, support for the AAPI community through culturally responsive courses, and commitment to merit-based pathways align with our public education priorities. However, while these priorities are significant, we would like to see her take a more pronounced and explicit position on public safety, particularly regarding the protection of minorities and children.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Supported the 2022 District Attorney recall

2022
DA RECALL

Values aligned

Opposed the 2024 Prop B (cop tax - police staffing only with additional taxes)

MAR 2024
PROP B

Values aligned

Opposed the 2024 Prop E (allow police to use 21st-century technology tools)

MAR 2024
PROP E

Values not aligned

EDUCATION

Supported the 2024 Board of Education recall

2022
BOE RECALL

Values aligned

Supported the 2024 Prop G (offer algebra to 8th graders)

2024
PROP G

Values aligned

Lefteris Eleftheriou

ARC Rating: B

Elefheriou experience as an educator and operator offers valuable insight into the challenges facing SFUSD. We recognize his strong commitment to transparency, efforts to identify and address budget misuse, evaluate staff performance, and combat corruption, especially in light of the district's significant budget deficit. Additionally, we support his objectives for developing a strong educational system for the children of San Francisco.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Supported the 2022 District Attorney recall

2022
DA RECALL

Values aligned

Supported the 2024 Prop B (cop tax - police staffing only with additional taxes)

MAR 2024
PROP B

Values not aligned

Supported the 2024 Prop E (allow police to use 21st-century technology tools)

MAR 2024
PROP E

Values aligned

EDUCATION

Supported the 2024 Board of Education recall

2022
BOE RECALL

Values aligned

Supported the 2024 Prop G (offer algebra to 8th graders)

2024
PROP G

Values aligned

Jaime Huling

ARC Rating: B

Huling emphasizes public safety in schools, drawing on her experience as a Deputy District Attorney. She presents solid ideas regarding key SFUSD priorities and solutions for the budget deficit, but her responses lacked the depth and detail found in others. Nonetheless, we believe her professional background enables her to approach the complex challenges facing SFUSD holistically, and we look forward to hearing her specific plans articulated in greater detail in the future.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Supported the 2022 District Attorney recall

2022
DA RECALL

Values aligned

Opposed the 2024 Prop B (cop tax - police staffing only with additional taxes)

MAR 2024
PROP B

Values aligned

Opposed the 2024 Prop E (allow police to use 21st-century technology tools)

MAR 2024
PROP E

Values not aligned

EDUCATION

Supported the 2024 Board of Education recall

2022
BOE RECALL

Values aligned

Supported the 2024 Prop G (offer algebra to 8th graders)

2024
PROP G

Values aligned

Ann Hsu

ARC Rating: B

Hsu takes a strong and vocal stance on several controversial issues, and we support many of her positions. However, complications may arise if these values are perceived as non-negotiable. For example, closing schools is a complex, long-term issue that significantly affects families and should not rely solely on performance metrics. As a former School Board member, we appreciate Ms. Hsu's contributions to the education system.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Supported the 2022 District Attorney recall

2022
DA RECALL

Values aligned

Opposed the 2024 Prop B (cop tax - police staffing only with additional taxes)

MAR 2024
PROP B

Values aligned

Supported the 2024 Prop E (allow police to use 21st-century technology tools)

MAR 2024
PROP E

Values aligned

EDUCATION

Supported the 2024 Board of Education recall

2022
BOE RECALL

Values aligned

Supported the 2024 Prop G (offer algebra to 8th graders)

2024
PROP G

Values aligned

Matt Alexander

ARC Rating: F

Alexander did not respond to our outreach. His voting to end merit-based admissions at Lowell High School indicates a disconnect with the Asian community's priorities regarding public education. He has focused on renaming schools instead of improving student outcomes. Additionally, during a fiscal crisis for SFUSD, Alexander proposed an alternative school budget that did not align with the recommendations of state fiscal experts.

PUBLIC SAFETY

No response to the 2022 District Attorney recall

2022
DA RECALL

No response

No response to the 2024 Prop B (cop tax - police staffing only with additional taxes)

MAR 2024
PROP B

No response

No response to the 2024 Prop E (allow police to use 21st-century technology tools)

MAR 2024
PROP E

No response

EDUCATION

No response to the 2024 Board of Education recall

2022
BOE RECALL

No response

No response to the 2024 Prop G (offer algebra to 8th graders)

2024
PROP G

No response

Maddy Krantz

ARC Rating: F

Krantz did not respond to our outreach.

PUBLIC SAFETY

No response to the 2022 District Attorney recall

2022
DA RECALL

No response

No response to the 2024 Prop B (cop tax - police staffing only with additional taxes)

MAR 2024
PROP B

No response

No response to the 2024 Prop E (allow police to use 21st-century technology tools)

MAR 2024
PROP E

No response

EDUCATION

No response to the 2024 Board of Education recall

2022
BOE RECALL

No response

No response to the 2024 Prop G (offer algebra to 8th graders)

2024
PROP G

No response