Democratic National Convention Wrap-up (in National News) California SAT 9 Scores Up After Prop. 227 (in Bay Area News) AsiaCentral: A Multilingual Marketplace (in Business) Sacred Drums of India (in A&E) Lead Editorial: District Elections -- Get Educated (in Opinion)

TALK SUPES: Click below for one of the interviews with San Francisco's three Asian American Supervisors.
Mabel Teng	Michael Yaki	Leland Yee

Mabel Teng

District 7 incumbent (Glen Park, Ingelside, Inner Sunset, Park Merced, Twin Peaks and West Portal)

Interview by Tom Lee

---

Mabel Teng

AsianWeek: What are some of the most pressing issues facing the constituents in District 7?

Teng: The most pressing issues are land use and neighborhood preservation issues. In the last three years on the Board of Supervisors, I focused my efforts on protecting neighborhood rights and preserving open space. Some of these issues are neighborhood preservation, protecting natural resources, preservation of single family homes. District 7 is the district with the largest number of single family homes. Residents in these homes are concerned about oversized development in the neighborhood. Other priorities include helping mom and pop stores and local businesses and making sure we expand financial assistance.

AW: In your opinion, what issues are most affecting Asian Americans in San Francisco? How will you address those issues?

Teng: In general, Asian Americans are very concerned about equal access and equal opportunity. Access for services and business opportunities are very important issues. I introduced the Equal Access to Services Act last winter, and have been working on this issue with many Asian American groups to make sure that Asian American residents in San Francisco can access these resources.

AW: What are your thoughts on the changes in the election process to district elections?

Teng: I think it’s exciting that we are changing. It allows each supervisor to focus on issues in their own neighborhood. I have lived in District 7 for ten years. My children grew up in District 7 and graduated from its public schools. It’s a neighborhood I raised my children in and love. The district election lets you focus on a neighborhood you call home and work on those neighborhood issues.

AW: How has your campaign strategy changed with the change to district elections?

Teng: Focus, focus, focus. My campaign is focused on neighborhood issues such as neighborhood preservation programs, pedestrian safety, health care for seniors, early childhood education. These issues have been the center of my legislative agenda for five years and will continue to be so. Fiscal responsibility is another important issue that I focus on. The voters would expect their supervisor to be a vigilant guard of the city’s funds.

AW: How much money have you raised for your campaign?

Teng: We’ve raised about $100,000.

AW: Where are you getting the majority of these funds?

Teng: Most of it is from small businesses and residents, many Asian American residents.

AW: Will your Asian American voters vote according to issues at hand or simply based on the candidate’s ethnicity?

Teng: I will ask Asian American voters to vote by issues, to really see what is important.

AW: Will that affect your campaign strategy?

Teng: No, Asian Americans are not that different from other voters. They all care about education, a clean neighborhood, health benefits, and pedestrian safety.

AW: In this day and age in San Francisco, where 40 percent of the population is Asian American, is it a disadvantage or an advantage being Asian American?

Teng: I think it goes both ways. Asian Americans must demonstrate our ability through a solid track record and build coalitions. We need to reach out and build bridges with the mainstream community, with the Caucasian community, black community, seniors, women. We need to demonstrate our ability in leadership. With a track record, people will respond. The Fang family is the best example of how Asian Americans will shine. They shine by showing leadership.

AW: Who is your role model?

Teng: It’s a piecing together of many people since there were no Asian Americans in electorate politics in San Francisco before me. John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, [former U.C. Berkeley] chancellor Chang-Lin Tien, and Mrs. [Florence] Fang, bits and parts of these people make up a collage of my role model. They are all strong people with the ability to lead. They’re willing to try, willing to run that distance to become leaders.

AW: What has been the biggest personal or professional challenge you have had to face and how did you overcome that?

Teng: Coming to American as a teenager and speaking very little English, I had to adjust quickly to work my way up to where I am today. I did that by working very hard and not accepting the status quo. I was aiming high and willing to be a trailblazer.