Chyanne Chen Explained

Chyanne Chen
Office:Member-elect of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors from the 11th district
Term Start:January 8, 2025
Predecessor:Ahsha Safaí-->
Succeeding:Ahsha Safaí
Birth Place:Guangdong, China
Education:University of California, Davis
Cornell University
Party:Democratic

Chyanne Chen (Chinese: 陳小焱)[1] is an American labor organizer and politician who is a member-elect of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors for District 11, which includes the neighborhoods of Outer Mission, Excelsior, Crocker-Amazon and Ingleside.[2] She previously worked for SEIU 1021 and the Chinese Progressive Association.

Early life and education

Chen was born in Guangdong, China and came to the United States at 15 and has lived in District 11 since 2000.[1] She graduated from Galileo High School and earned a bachelors degree from the University of California, Davis as well as a master's degree in industrial labor relations from Cornell University. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.[3]

San Francisco Board of Supervisors

2024 campaign

Chen ran for District 11 of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, where incumbent Ahsha Safaí was term-limited and running in the concurrent mayoral election. She listed expanding translation services, identifying wasteful spending and unused funds, affordable housing for seniors, building a new library, and improving parks and streets as legislative priorities.[4] Fellow candidate Ernest Jones and Chen formed a ranked-choice voting 'alliance' where supporters of each candidate would rank the other candidate second.[5] Considered a progressive, she was endorsed by Myrna Melgar, Phil Ting, Norman Yee, Sandra Lee Fewer, Mabel Teng, and Safaí.[6] She narrowly defeated Michael Lai in the instant run-off election with 50.4% of the vote, making it the closest supervisor race of any district in the 2024 election.[2] [7]

Personal life

Chen is a homeowner and lives with her husband, two daughters, and in-laws.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 【灣區新聞】舊金山第11區改選市議員 帶您認識華裔候選人陳小焱(視頻). 古. 琳嘉. September 23, 2024. November 18, 2024. KTSF-TV. zh-t.
  2. Web site: Chyanne Chen will represent S.F. District 11 in a much-needed win for progressives. Swan. Rachel. November 17, 2024. November 18, 2024. San Francisco Chronicle.
  3. Web site: Meet the District 11 candidates: How will your life experiences help you as supe?. Lu. Xueer. March 7, 2024. November 18, 2024. Mission Local.
  4. Web site: This corner of S.F. feels ‘forgotten.’ Here’s how supervisor candidates say they’d shine a light on it. Toledo. Aldo. October 23, 2024. November 18, 2024. San Francisco Chronicle.
  5. Web site: D11 supervisor candidates see chance to shape diverse area’s future. Salazar. James. November 4, 2024. November 18, 2024. San Francisco Examiner.
  6. Web site: Meet the frontrunners in the race to succeed Ahsha Safai. Hoge. Patrick. April 30, 2024. November 18, 2024. San Francisco Examiner.
  7. Web site: Chyanne Chen Claims Victory in District 11, Leads by 190 Votes. November 17, 2024. November 18, 2024. Aspen. Virgil. SFist.