PR 2024001 | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: INFO@ADVANCINGASIANS.ORG
Association for the Advancement of Asians Releases Report Card for San Francisco Candidates Focusing on Critical Priorities for the City
SAN FRANCISCO - For the second consecutive election cycle, the Association for the Advancement of Asians (AAA) has released its highly anticipated report card evaluating candidates in the upcoming November elections in San Francisco.
This report card evaluates qualified candidates in local races—including Mayor, Supervisor, Board of Education, and City College Trustee—using both qualitative and quantitative data. It aims to spotlight candidates who align with the community’s core values: Public Safety, Public Education, and Economic Development.
The assessment considers candidates’ responses to a comprehensive questionnaire as well as their past voting records.
AAA November Election Report Card: https://www.advancingasians.org/arc/home
“We took a two-pronged approach to grading candidates, assessing both their past performance and future vision. We seek leaders who not only make promises but actively advocate for our community, rather than offering empty rhetoric,” said Gloria Li, President of the Association for the Advancement of Asians (AAA).
The report evaluates five mayoral candidates, three supervisorial candidates from each odd-numbered district, ten Board of Education candidates, and nine City College of San Francisco candidates. “While we aimed to evaluate all candidates, it wasn't feasible. Instead, we focused on the top contenders based on fundraising and overall impact,” added Li.
“Our goal with these reports is to hold politicians accountable to the core values of our community. Did you support the DA recall? How will you address public safety and the homelessness crisis? These are crucial questions, especially for San Francisco's Asian community, which faces significant challenges, including recent school closures. We hope this report helps voters see how candidates align with their values,” explained Christopher Do, AAA Board Chair.
"From safety to homelessness and affordability, city hall insiders have failed to support and protect our AAPI community and its many small business owners. These are my priorities, and ensuring our AAPI community is better served starts with strong representation in my administration. I look forward to working closely with organizations like the Association for the Advancement of Asians to make this vision a reality."
—Daniel Lurie, non-profit executive and candidate for Mayor
“I am so proud to receive the highest grade from The Association for the Advancement of Asians. Public safety has always been and will always be my top priority. Starting on Day One of my administration, I will forcefully implement our Stop Asian Hate platform and improve public safety across all of our neighborhoods. The violent attacks against our Asian community will not be tolerated in our city. The Asian community is a critical part of San Francisco and they must be represented in City Hall. As Mayor, I will make sure that Asian leadership will always have a seat at the table and Asian American priorities will be a guiding light for my administration.”
—Former interim Mayor Mark Farrell and candidate for mayor
“Our Asian American community has been disproportionately affected by San Francisco's public safety, small business, and housing policies, particularly as we face an alarming rise in hate crimes. Unlike my opponent, I have a track record of supporting robust public safety measures and standing up for small business owners. I am proud to align with AAA’s Accountability Report Card, which serves as a vital tool for assessing our progress toward a cleaner, safer, and more inclusive San Francisco. As the daughter of immigrants, I am committed to uplifting the voices of Asian Americans and ensuring that their priorities are at the heart of our city’s future. It is an honor to receive the top grade from Asian American leaders who share this vision.”
—Marjan Philhour community advocate and candidate for D1 supervisor
“San Francisco’s incredible Asian and Asian American community deserves better from its representatives, and I’m committed to being a partner that finds solutions to the biggest challenges that face our city. From improving public safety to empowering our small businesses and supporting Chinatown, I look forward to working with Advancing Asians to get our city back on track.”
—Danny Sauter Nonprofit director and candidate for D3 supervisor.
“Honored to fight for accountability alongside the Association for the Advancement of Asians for accountability for the Asian community in D3 and Citywide, we need to fight for public safety for our seniors and families by fully staffing our police department and fight to revitalize our city, especially for our small businesses that serve the Asian community.”
—Moe Jamil Deputy City Attorney and candidate for D3 supervisor
“We need Asian leaders who represent the AAPI community not just in ethnicity but in policies — on public safety, education, and supporting businesses. I’m proud to be recognized by AAA for supporting the recall of Chesa Boudin, school board, and my voting record.”
—Michael Lai Entrepreneur and candidate for D11 Supervisor
The report was released on October 18, 2024, and is now available on the AAA website: www.advancingasians.org.
About the Association for the Advancement of Asians
The AAA is an established 501(c)4 organization dedicated to addressing political issues pertinent to the Asian American community. Its board comprises a diverse group of Asian American leaders, including Tina Cen-Camarao, Angela Chan, Hanley Chan, Chris Chang, Scott Chong, Christopher Do, Tiffany Deng, Mike Duong, AJ Gandhi, Lily Ho, Richard Jue, Laurance Lee, Gloria Li, Leanna Louie, Sharon Seto, Garret Tom, Danh Trang, Chris Yen, Paul Yep, and Mark Young.
Our mission is to empower All Asian Americans by ensuring their voices are heard through their votes and elected officials are held accountable. We stand for equal representation where our communities thrive through our values of Public Safety, Public Education, and Economic Development.