CADC has been consistent about what the Sunset community asked for in this appointment: a trusted community leader with demonstrated efforts on No on K, support for the recall of a supervisor who failed to represent their district, and—ideally—someone who reflects the large Chinese American electorate in District 4. As we applauded the Mayor’s many efforts to strengthen San Francisco’s economic recovery and public safety, we also expressed our disappointment that our community leaders, Albert Chow, Selena Chu, Julia Quon and Josephine Zhao were passed over.

While we had kept an open mind about the Mayor’s appointment and invited the new appointee to work with us, we were shocked to learn that the reason she did not appear at our meeting as planned this evening was because she had resigned. With the vacancy now extended and ongoing instability in the seat, we had hoped—and continue to wish—that CADC’s recommended criteria, which were repeatedly presented, would finally be considered.

District 4 is facing urgent challenges. Sunset residents have continuously voiced concerns about major rezoning decisions that will have long-term impacts on our neighborhoods. Because of the prolonged vacancy and instability, the Sunset has effectively lost its chance to engage in discussion or propose meaningful amendments to the Family Zoning Plan—an opportunity every other district was afforded.

We hope the Mayor will take this moment to truly listen to the community. And we hope the Board of Supervisors will support trailing legislation from District 4 once the district finally has representation again—led by someone supported by the people and able to genuinely reflect and represent the community.

November 11th, 2025

Purpose: The Chinese American Democratic Club (CADC) Policy Platform outlines our core values and priorities for civic engagement. It guides how we advocate for fair representation, accountable government, and policies that strengthen and empower the Chinese American and broader San Francisco communities.

About: As the oldest political club for Chinese Americans in the United States, Chinese American Democratic Club (CADC) has spent the past 66 years promoting upward mobility for families, small businesses, youth, seniors and working people in San Francisco. Our club has a proud history of advocating for civil rights, social justice, and equality. From advancing the Civil Rights movement to supporting the recent Stop Asian Hate campaign, we have always been on the frontlines of fighting for a more inclusive and just society.

Mission: The aim and purpose of this Club shall be to encourage the development of meaningful political awareness within our community and to thereby foster active participation in the democratic process of government by all citizens, to encourage Chinese American candidates to run for elective office, to encourage the appointment of Chinese Americans to appointive positions, to demand a high standard in government to seek justice and equality for all peoples and to study, develop, and advocate issues relevant to the empowerment and civil rights of Chinese Americans.

Approach:  CADC’s north star is the win-win strategy. We must build a better future by serving each and every resident and business in our city. We can’t back policies that pick and choose who is more worthy to stay and operate in the city. We must choose that everyone gets to live and do business in the city. 

Public Safety & Clean Street: We envision San Francisco to be safe, clean, and just for everyone, where ALL San Franciscans can thrive. 

We are particularly focused on public safety, ensuring that our neighborhoods are secure, and tackling issues related to homelessness and drug addiction with compassion and effectiveness. 

Our model is Smart Justice. While we support rehabilitation and second chances, we must also ensure accountability for those committing crimes including anti-Asian violence.

See CADC's Public Safety & Clean Street Policies.

1. Coastal Zone Protection — Remove all parcels proposed for upzoning within the coastal zone to preserve coastal integrity, ensure compliance with coastal protection policies, and avoid complex Coastal Commission approvals.
2. Height and Density Adjustments — Reduce proposed high-rise zoning (up to 14 stories) at 19th Avenue intersections (Lincoln, Irving, Judah, Noriega, Taraval, Eucalyptus, Holloway to mid-rise levels of 6–8 stories.
3. Sloat Corridor Preservation — Maintain the current maximum height limit of 100 feet along Sloat Boulevard between the Upper Great Highway and 44th Avenue, with no variances permitted above this height.
4. Transit-Oriented Redistribution — Reallocate the reduced housing units to areas within a quarter mile of major transit stops, consistent with SB 79.
5. Parking Improvements — Increase both on-street and on-site parking capacity. Encourage family-appropriate parking ratios, such as one space for each 2- or 3-bedroom unit, to maintain access and neighborhood vitality as density increases.

The Honorable Daniel Lurie
Mayor of San Francisco
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 200 
San Francisco, CA 94102

October 15th, 2025

Dear Mayor Lurie, 

On behalf of the Chinese American Democratic Club (CADC), we write to share the priorities and values that our organization and community hope will guide your selection of the next Supervisor for District 4. 

Founded in 1958, CADC is the oldest Chinese American political club in the United States. For over six decades, our organization has been dedicated to building civic participation, advancing civil rights, supporting small businesses, and ensuring that Chinese American voices are represented in government. District 4 has one of the largest Chinese communities in San Francisco, and this appointment represents an important opportunity to ensure meaningful and culturally competent representation in City Hall. 

CADC’s priorities are rooted in our long-standing policy platform and reflect what matters most to our members and neighbors in the Sunset community. We urge your office to consider the following key criteria in identifying an appointee for the District 4 seat: 

By Wilson Chu - Chinese American Democratic Club (CADC)
8/29/25

Chair Nancy Tung, members of the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee, fellow Democrats —
We are here tonight because something is broken in San Francisco. And that something has a name: Supervisor Joel Engardio.

You are invited to the Chinese American Democratic Club (CADC)'s Summer Party & Fundraiser on August 2nd, 2025, Saturday, 6pm - 8pm at Lions Den (57 Wentworth Pl, SF, CA 94108).  Food, no host bar, karaoke and lots of old and new friends at the plush Lions Den. Ticket is a $100/person donation to CADC.  

On July 10, 2025, the CADC voted to support the Mandarin Immersion School initiative proposed by Dragon Gate Academy (DGA). Hundreds of families have expressed strong demand for a public K-8 school offering Mandarin immersion education. As the world’s most widely spoken language, Mandarin is used by 1.138 billion people across a dozen countries and territories. Given San Francisco’s role as a hub for international culture and trade, proficiency in Mandarin offers significant employment opportunities for future generations. Dragon Gate Academy will present this proposal at the Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at 6:30 PM at 555 Franklin Street. Please attend and speak in support of this resolution.

On July 10, 2025, our Club voted to support the repeal of Proposition 19, which we initially endorsed in November 2020. We later recognized that Prop 19 included a provision that significantly increased property taxes for families transferring property between generations. This has imposed a crushing annual tax burden on hundreds of thousands of Californians who recently lost their parents and wish to keep their family homes. The escalated, unaffordable property tax bills have forced many to sell cherished family homes or business properties. Consequently, at the July 2025 meeting, our membership voted to reverse our 2020 decision and now supports repealing Prop 19.

Repealing Prop 19 would restore the property tax reassessment protections of Propositions 58, 193, 80, and 90, reinstating the ability to transfer residential and commercial property between generations without excessive tax increases, as was possible from 1986 to 2020.

You can read more about the Fix Prop 19 effort here.

On May 29, 2025, the San Francisco Department of Elections officially certified that the petition to recall District 4 Supervisor Joel Engardio has met the necessary threshold of valid signatures. A total of 10,523 valid signers—exceeding the required 9,911—have made it clear: District 4 residents are ready for change.

As a result, a special municipal recall election will be held on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.

The Chinese American Democratic Club stands with the grassroots community members, families, and neighbors who worked tirelessly to make this possible. This movement was not led by paid operatives or outside interests, but by longtime residents who felt unheard, dismissed, and excluded by Supervisor Engardio’s actions and policies.

District 4 deserves leadership that listens, builds bridges, and serves all of its constituents—including immigrant families, Chinese American seniors, and working-class communities. The recall is a critical step toward restoring accountable, community-centered governance.

We encourage all District 4 voters to mark their calendars for September 16 and to make their voices heard in this pivotal election.

The future of our district is in our hands.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 23, 2025 

Contact: 

Selena Chu: 1st Vice President
Julia Quon: Communication Chair
[email protected]

Chinese American Democratic Club (CADC)