Ahsha Safaí for Mayor 2024

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Ahsha Safaí is a proud immigrant, husband and father of two, former labor organizer, small business owner, city planner, and Supervisor. He knows that today, while you’re working harder than ever, this city, and the current administration just isn’t working for you. Ahsha believes that with new, experienced leadership and accountability, we can get San Francisco back on track. That’s why Ahsha is stepping up for working families to deliver the big change we need.<h3>A proud immigrant from a working family with a commitment to helping others</h3>Ahsha was born in Iran. When he was 5 years old, and the emerging Iranian Revolution threatened his family’s safety, his mother brought him to the United States. His single mother found work as a secretary in Boston, but the family struggled. Ahsha’s mom taught him the value of hard work. And she always said that even during hard times, helping others should come first. And that’s how Ahsha has lived his life—starting as an intern in President Bill Clinton’s White House, then as a math tutor for a civil rights program focused on students in need—and onward through a career in public service.<h3>A city planner who worked with two mayors to clean up our streets and create opportunity</h3><img src="https://run.imgix.net/3d6104ef-1d4f-402e-89c2-01f6744759dd/fd6cbb4c-6ff3-4a22-898d-40b1f9653aff/fd6cbb4c-6ff3-4a22-898d-40b1f9653aff.jpeg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C960%2C720&amp;w=1500" alt="" title="" caption="" align="right" alignwidth="40" variant="base">After working his way through college and earning a Master’s in City Planning from MIT, Ahsha had the opportunity to work with two San Francisco mayors, Willie Brown and Gavin Newsom. These mayors entrusted Ahsha to lead major neighborhood and citywide services for San Francisco to deliver critical resources to low-income communities.Working with Mayor Brown, Ahsha helped protect immigrants from losing their housing and advanced key gang violence prevention strategies. And he helped bring vital resources like a new teen center and new childcare center to residents of our public housing communities.With Mayor Newsom, Ahsha helped lift up our neighborhoods, connecting young adults, formerly incarcerated, and homeless people to good jobs that support local small businesses by keeping our streets clean, planting trees and gardens, and revitalizing public spaces.<h3>A labor organizer who has fought for economic fairness for working people</h3><img src="https://run.imgix.net/3d6104ef-1d4f-402e-89c2-01f6744759dd/426b2d8b-1b3c-44bb-b413-a5a91a65af11/426b2d8b-1b3c-44bb-b413-a5a91a65af11.jpeg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C903%2C782&amp;w=1500" alt="" title="" caption="" align="left" alignwidth="37" variant="base">Mayors Brown and Newsom taught Ahsha what really makes a city work–its working people. So Ahsha spent nearly a decade as a labor organizer, representing frontline workers like janitors, sanitation workers, delivery drivers, and grocery store employees. He helped raise San Francisco’s minimum wage to $15/hour, secured better wages and working conditions for frontline workers, passed a Retail Workers’ Bill of Rights, and fought tirelessly to deliver Free City College for all San Franciscans.To get so much done for working families, Ahsha brought business and labor together. With a collaborative approach, but never wavering from his principles, Ahsha found common ground between both sides, creating solutions that enabled workers to get ahead, while ensuring businesses also benefited from a well-trained, effective workforce.<h3>An experienced leader who has fought for safer, more livable, more equitable neighborhoods for all</h3><img src="https://run.imgix.net/3d6104ef-1d4f-402e-89c2-01f6744759dd/a22b0f26-9ffa-4f8e-8808-9e7c86797f30/a22b0f26-9ffa-4f8e-8808-9e7c86797f30.jpeg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=577%2C235%2C1221%2C1165&amp;w=1500" alt="" title="" caption="" align="right" alignwidth="40" variant="base">In 2016, Ahsha was elected to the Board of Supervisors, representing the Excelsior, Outer Mission, Oceanview, Merced, Ingleside, and Crocker Amazon—neighborhoods that had previously been ignored by City Hall for too long. Throughout his career, from the Clinton White House to San Francisco City Hall, Ahsha has always fought to give everyone a voice in their community and to make government work better.Some of his most recent accomplishments for San Francisco range from holding the City accountable on homelessness and nonprofit spending, to fighting back against City Hall corruption, and taking direct action to address rampant organized retail theft.

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Ahsha Safaí, is a proud immigrant, husband, father, and experienced leader. He is stepping up to bring real change to San Francisco. Ahsha is committed to representing working families and revitalizing the city.

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Ahsha Safaí, a proud immigrant, husband, father, and experienced leader, is stepping up to bring real change to San Francisco. He's committed to representing working families and revitalizing the city.

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As a former labor organizer and City Supervisor for District 11, Ahsha knows what the Mayor's Office can do better, and how to make the city work for working people. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="/record">Learn more &gt;&gt;</a>

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Ahsha Safaí is a proud immigrant, former labor organizer, city planner, and Supervisor. He knows that today, while you’re working harder than ever, this city just isn’t working for you.Ahsha believes that with new, experienced leadership and accountability, we can get San Francisco back on track.

Ahsha is supported by working people and families across San Francisco.Show your support for Ahsha's campaign to help get our city back on track by sharing your name, title, and affiliation. Sign up to volunteer for canvassing, literature dropping, phone banking, merchant walks and more! We'll contact you with details as soon as possible.*Affiliation and Title will be indicated as "for identification purposes only" if you check the box at the bottom of this form.

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San Francisco, CA — Mayor London Breed <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://sfgov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6641266&amp;GUID=AA6D7112-1969-4BF5-AE55-AB796009EC5D">officially declined to sign a resolution</a> calling on her to declare César Chávez Day a holiday for City workers, raising questions about how much she truly respects working families, and how much she values the legacy of César Chávez and the labor movement he championed.César Chávez, an esteemed labor leader and civil rights activist, has long been celebrated for his dedication to advocating for the rights of farmworkers and marginalized communities. His significant contributions to California’s history of activism and the broader labor movement have long been an inspiration for Safaí, who worked as a labor organizer for nearly a decade, representing frontline workers like janitors, sanitation workers, delivery drivers, and grocery store employees.On April 23, the Board of Supervisors unanimously passed Supervisor Safaí’s resolution to declare César Chávez Day a City holiday. The deadline for Mayor Breed to sign that resolution was May 3, 2024, which she failed to do.“It’s deeply disappointing, and frankly shocking, that Mayor Breed would choose to dishonor and disrespect César Chávez’s legacy by failing to declare César Chávez Day a paid City holiday,” said Ahsha Safaí. “I brought forward this resolution because Chávez’s tireless efforts in championing the rights of workers deserve our utmost respect and recognition. On my first day as Mayor I will designate César Chávez Day a paid city holiday, to both celebrate his legacy and reaffirm San Francisco’s commitment to supporting labor rights and social justice."Mayor London Breed’s troubling decision is out of step with both the San Francisco Unified School District and the state of California, which already recognize and observe the holiday. By refusing to extend this recognition to city workers, Mayor Breed is not only disrespecting César Chávez’s legacy but also failing to uphold the values of inclusivity and respect for labor rights that define San Francisco.Ahsha Safai’s pledge to designate César Chávez Day a paid city holiday reflects his unwavering dedication to supporting the rights of workers, and ensuring that the values of inclusion, equality, and justice are upheld in city government.ABOUT AHSHA:Ahsha Safai is the child of an immigrant single mother. He grew up in a working class family and knows all too well what it’s like to struggle to make ends meet. Safaí attended Northeastern University and earned a Master’s in City Planning from MIT in Cambridge, MA. Currently, he’s raising his two school aged children with his wife in San Francisco and serving on the San Francisco County Board of Supervisors.Ahsha is running for mayor to improve public safety, education, provide more affordable housing, and to ensure accountable and effective governance.For more information visit: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.AhshaForMayor.com">www.AhshaForMayor.com</a>&nbsp;###

San Francisco, CA — Mayor London Breed <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://sfgov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6641266&amp;GUID=AA6D7112-1969-4BF5-AE55-AB796009EC5D">officially declined to sign a resolution</a> calling on her to declare César Chávez Day a holiday for City workers, raising questions about how much she truly respects working families, and how much she values the legacy of César Chávez and the labor movement he championed.

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Safaí Fiercely Criticizes Mayor Breed for Failing to Declare César Chávez Day a Paid City Holiday

San Francisco, CA — Mayoral candidate and San Francisco Supervisor Ahsha Safaí is proud to announce that he has received the endorsement of the United Educators of San Francisco (UESF), a prominent labor union representing over 6,500 SFUSD employees including teachers, paraprofessionals, nurses, counselors, and psychologists. The endorsement highlights Safaí’s unwavering commitment to championing the rights and well-being of educators, his commitment to making San Francisco a model urban school district for our state and nation, and is a testament to the trust labor has in his vision for San Francisco. Safaí, who worked as a labor organizer for nearly a decade, continues to gain support from working families who seek a candidate that understands their struggles and will be their champion in City Hall.&nbsp; “I’m proud to receive the endorsement of the United Educators of San Francisco, whose members are fundamental to the fabric of our city—shaping the minds of our future leaders and instilling our San Francisco values in the next generation,” said Safaí. “As Mayor, I will work in partnership and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our educators, and ensure they are given the resources and respect they deserve. We will work to create a San Francisco where every educator feels valued, supported, and empowered to make a difference in the lives of our youth." Frank Lara, Executive Vice President of UESF, said “Supervisor Safaí has stood strong with educators fighting for the schools our students deserve. We are happy to have endorsed such a steadfast advocate for quality public education.” ABOUT AHSHA: Ahsha Safaí is the child of an immigrant single mother. He grew up in a working class family and knows all too well what it’s like to struggle to make ends meet. Safaí attended Northeastern University and earned a Master’s in City Planning from MIT in Cambridge, MA. Currently, he’s raising his two school aged children with his wife in San Francisco and serving on the San Francisco County Board of Supervisors. Ahsha is running for mayor to improve public safety, education, provide more affordable housing, and to ensure accountable and effective governance. For more information visit: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.AhshaForMayor.com">www.AhshaForMayor.com</a>&nbsp; ###

San Francisco, CA - Mayoral candidate and San Francisco Supervisor Ahsha Safaí is proud to announce that he has received the endorsement of the United Educators of San Francisco (UESF), a prominent labor union representing over 6,500 SFUSD employees including teachers, paraprofessionals, nurses, counselors, and psychologists.

Mayoral Candidate Ahsha Safaí Endorsed by San Francisco Teachers and Educators

“In a city with almost forty-eight billionaires,” said District 11 Supervisor Ahsha Safai at a City Hall rally Tuesday, “it is unconscionable that we have children living on our streets when we have shelter beds that are vacant.” Safai said he will introduce a resolution at the following Board of Supervisors meeting calling for Mayor London Breed and the Department of Homelessness to respond to the needs of the city’s immigrant families.

SF Supervisor calls for city to stop leaving immigrant families with children on street

Safaí… has decided to distinguish himself by coming out hard against Proposition E.&nbsp;During a public interview with Mission Local Friday night, Safaí did not spare the rod in assailing the mayor’s signature policy initiative. He mocked it as enabling “‘The Fast and the Furious’ to happen in San Francisco.” But his real vitriol came when discussing Prop. E’s moves to reduce reporting requirements for violent police interactions with the public.

Mission Local: Safaí is seeking the opportunity to separate himself from the peloton.

It is “shocking” that Mayor Breed would put her name on Prop. E, a ballot measure that aims to ease restrictions on police chases and surveillance, said Safaí, who was slated to attend a rally opposing Prop. E on Sunday (it was later postponed due to stormy weather). “I truly believe this is one of the most anti-Black, anti-brown, anti-communities of color, immigrant communities [laws]. This is a racist piece of legislation.”

It is “shocking” that Mayor Breed would put her name on Prop. E, a ballot measure that aims to ease restrictions on police chases and surveillance, said Safaí, who was slated to attend a rally opposing Prop. E on Sunday (it was later postponed due to stormy weather). “I truly believe this is one of the most anti-Black, anti-brown, anti-communities of color, immigrant communities [laws]. This is a racist piece of legislation.”

Mission Local: One means of differentiating himself [Ahsha] is his opposition to Proposition E

San Francisco legislators are trying to pressure Mayor London Breed’s administration to move forward with plans to build a library at a specific location on the southwest side of the city, a project that Supervisor Ahsha Safaí has accused Breed of blocking because he’s challenging her reelection bid.

SF Chron: Here’s why S.F. legislators tried to force Mayor Breed to build a new library at a specifi

Supervisor Ahsha Safai stands alone among prominent mayoral candidates in opposing a ballot measure that his opponents claim will improve public safety, but civil-rights advocates warn will erase hard-earned progress.“I think it goes against the core beliefs of San Francisco,” Safai said. “I think everyone in San Francisco wants to prioritize public safety, but they want to do it in a thoughtful and responsible way.”

Supervisor Ahsha Safai stands alone among prominent mayoral candidates in opposing a ballot measure that his opponents claim will improve public safety, but civil-rights advocates warn will erase hard-earned progress.“I think it goes against the core beliefs of San Francisco,” Safai said. “I think everyone in San Francisco wants to prioritize public safety, but they want to do it in a thoughtful and responsible way.”

SF Examiner: Ahsha Safai stands out by standing against Prop E

A trio of San Francisco Supervisors is moving ahead with an ordinance to prevent a plan that would create a new harbor in front of Marina Green.San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, Supervisor Ahsha Safai and Supervisor Connie Chan are cosponsoring legislation that would block San Francisco Recreation and Park Department funds for the project.

SF Examiner: Supes: Measure blocking Marina Green harbor remodel likely to pass

Our city’s public safety system is severely understaffed. A strong public safety system requires robustly staffed departments, including police, 911 call operators, nurses, paramedics, firefighters and sheriffs. San Francisco lacks all of the above.Our initiative, Proposition B, will achieve a fully staffed SFPD while being transparent and honest with San Franciscans regarding where the money is coming from.

SF Examiner: Ahsha Safaí: A better plan to hire more San Francisco police

The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved legislation on Monday that will require the San Francisco Police Department to establish — and implement — a strategy to add more cops walking beats in city neighborhoods.“The truth is, colleagues, when police are present in the community, crime goes down,” said Supervisor Ahsha Safai, who sponsored the bill.

The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved legislation on Monday that will require the San Francisco Police Department to establish — and implement — a strategy to add more cops walking beats in city neighborhoods.“The truth is, colleagues, when police are present in the community, crime goes down,” said Supervisor Ahsha Safai, who sponsored the bill.

SF Examiner: SF supervisors force popular SFPD foot patrols

San Francisco will still buy a wayward homeless person a bus ticket back to family and loved ones, but details have been scant since The City announced it would resume the Homeward Bound program in March. Given that ambiguity, Supervisor Ahsha Safai called last week for Homeward Bound to be written into law as a part of The City’s response to homelessness.

SF Examiner: Is Homeward Bound safe and sound? Supe wants answers

The city that Sen. Dianne Feinstein led in the early 1980s is in the midst of trying to re-invent itself yet again. San Francisco is struggling with crime and open-air drug markets — not the ideal scenario for a mayor up for re-election next year. A few people are already emerging as potential challengers to Mayor London Breed, including Supervisor Ahsha Safaí, who spoke with NBC Bay Area’s Jessica Aguirre.

NBC Bay Area: San Francisco mayor's race: One-on-one with Ahsha Safaí

San Francisco Supervisor Ahsha Safaí is introducing an ordinance today calling for the implementation of a foot patrol and community policing strategy to effectively address and prevent crime. Interview on KPIX Morning Edition.

NBC Bay Area: Supervisor Ahsha Safaí calls for police foot and bike patrols to combat street crime

A San Francisco supervisor plans to introduce legislation Tuesday that would push the city’s Police Department to adopt more foot and bike patrols after a previous proposal to promote foot patrols stalled in 2020.&nbsp;“Putting cops out on the street is a major way to build trust and deter crime dramatically,” Safaí said in an interview.

SF Chronicle: Supervisor revives proposal to boost police foot patrols

San Francisco Supervisor Ahsha Safaí introduced legislation Tuesday calling on the San Francisco Police Department to implement regular foot and bike patrols to prevent retail and other crime in the city’s neighborhoods.&nbsp;“Putting officers back on the street will support values of protection and community engagement, especially in areas of our city where crime is most visible and rampant,” Safaí said in a statement.

SF Standard: Supervisor Calls for More Regular Police Foot Patrols With New Legislation

Supervisor Ahsha Safai called on Mayor London Breed Tuesday to explain why The City isn’t pouring more resources into curtailing retail theft.Safai questioned why the mayor — whom he is challenging in the 2024 election — did not fund an assistant district attorney dedicated to prosecuting cases related to shoplifting in her recent budget.

SF Examiner: Ahsha Safaí, Breed’s biggest challenger, wants answers on retail theft in SF

Supervisor Ahsha Safaí, a mayoral candidate, says voters have give Mayor London Breed her shot: 'She’s had six years, going on seven. It’s hard to argue that anyone is obstructing her ability to lead this city.' Photo by Joe Eskenazi

Mission Local: Ahsha Safaí in his own words: ‘This mayor has no excuses’

Supervisor Ahsha Safai doesn’t need a public opinion poll — although there have been plenty — to know that San Franciscans are worried about the direction of The City.It’s what he plans to base his entire campaign on.Read more on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/politics/ahsha-safai-on-challenging-sf-mayor-london-breed-his-record/article_15b9eef2-ee85-11ed-b054-4b34978e1b17.html">sfexaminer.com</a>.

Supervisor Ahsha Safai doesn’t need a public opinion poll — although there have been plenty — to know that San Franciscans are worried about the direction of The City.It’s what he plans to base his entire campaign on.

SF Examiner: Safaí on his record, challenging Breed in 2024 election

Supervisor Ahsha Safai doesn’t need a public opinion poll — although there have been plenty — to know that San Franciscans are worried about the direction of The City.

SF Examiner: Safai on his record, challenging Breed in 2024 election

Gun shots and blackouts every evening as revolutionaries chanted in the streets are some of my earliest memories. As many immigrant families, we came to the United States to be in a stable political environment, but the revolution I was born into tore my family apart — my father stayed in his home country while my mother, siblings and I moved to the “States.”

SF Examiner: Mattresses and torn pants: The struggles of working families

San Francisco Supervisor Ahsha Safaí has made it official: He is challenging&nbsp;Mayor London Breed&nbsp;in the 2024 election.Safaí filed paperwork Monday morning formally declaring his&nbsp;intent to run for mayor next year, launching what could be an intense contest for the city’s top political job.

SF Chronicle: Ahsha Safaí Announces Run for Mayor

<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/crime/san-francisco-supervisor-safai-has-home-broken-into/article_a16285ec-56f3-11ed-b4f6-836b0a769fef.html">San Francisco Supervisor Ahsha Safai</a> has his eyes set on higher office.Safai, who has spent nearly two terms on the Board of Supervisors representing District 11, which includes the Excelsior and Crocker Amazon, filed the requisite paperwork to run for mayor on Monday, making his long-anticipated run for the job official.Now, he’ll contest Mayor London Breed in her bid for a second full term leading San Francisco in the 2024 election.

SF Examiner: 'Tis election season: Safaí makes run for mayor official

San Francisco Supervisor Ahsha Safai has his eyes set on higher office.Safai, who has spent nearly two terms on the Board of Supervisors representing District 11, which includes the Excelsior and Crocker-Amazon, filed the requisite paperwork to run for mayor on Monday, making his long-anticipated run for the job official.

SF Examiner: Ahsha Safaí Running Against Mayor London Breed

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When we collaborate as City leaders, we can produce positive results like this and help our economy recover, support existing businesses, and attract new ones to SF.

Our City’s economic recovery is one of my top priorities- small businesses that continue to struggle need a reprieve, and workers and companies shouldn’t be discouraged from returning to the office. We need a 21st-century tax structure. 

@sfchronicle:  https://t.co/aQgPCYftRF

This was an amazing project that was done in the Excelsior that can be replicated all over San Francisco to help small businesses refresh! Ty @freepik https://t.co/PxcCObYj8z

It's official—the San Francisco Fire Department (@SFFDPIO) is now mandated by Board approval to phase out its cancer-causing uniforms and safety gear by July 2026. I'm proud to sponsor this policy for our frontline heroes. We await the mayor's final signature. https://t.co/0bs3xw8RZX

Last night Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame Awards were amazing - got to meet a true San Franciso Giant - Sergio Romo. https://t.co/ciFvpGjNAA