Rise Together Assembly District 17

Congratulations to the full Rise Together slate for winning all 14 Assembly Delegate seats in AD-17! And thanks to all the volunteers, endorsers and community members who helped us win. 🔥

Looking forward to the work and progress you all make in California Democratic Party over the next two years. 💯

Candidate Profile: Sharky Laguana

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“I am a small business owner, SFUSD parent, and President of the San Francisco Small Business Commission.

I was appointed to the Small Business Commission by Mayor Breed in March of 2019, and was elected president the following January. The commission’s policy output in response to the crisis has been unprecedented. I campaigned for Prop H (“Save Our Small Business”) which voters overwhelmingly passed, served on the Economic Recovery Task Force, and with SFMTA Chair Gwyneth Borden, co-created a summit addressing the rent crisis for small businesses.

The pandemic has devastated my business too. It has forced me to close stores, sell assets, and most painfully, lay off staff I care deeply about. In 2019 nearly half of all workers in San Francisco were employed by a small business. Now many of those businesses are permanently closed. Unemployment due to COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted vulnerable populations, while leaving owners like myself buried in overwhelming debt."

Thank you to GAPA for their support and endorsement of the entire Rise Together slate!

Vote for candidates #21- #34 on your AD-17 ballot and mail it out ASAP.

Candidate Profile: Tyra Fennell

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"Ten years ago, I started working for the San Francisco Arts Commission, which provided me with my first introduction to the District 10 community. My overall goal was to develop and produce arts initiatives in District 10 to activate the neighborhood, increase foot traffic to strengthen economic vitality.

My volunteer work to support the improvement of San Francisco life includes working with the Human Rights Commission to strengthen Mayor London Breed’s Opportunities for All summer youth program, which employed a significant number of Bayview youth. I also served on the Mayor’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Task Force, a current board member of Emerge California and the San Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association (SPUR). I look forward to serving once again as a Democratic party delegate, and I hope I can count on your vote for me and the entire Rise Together Assembly District 17 slate."

Thank you to the Executive Board at Local 798 for their support and endorsement of the entire Rise Together slate!

Vote for candidates #21- #34 on your AD-17 ballot and mail it out ASAP. 📬📮💌

Candidate Profile: Tony Rodriguez

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“I have benefited from those who have worked to improve working conditions for others, and believe I should do my part and continue to work for and be an advocate for others, too. I recently retired from my position as Business Agent, however I am still active with the Building Trades, the San Francisco Labor Council, and the San Francisco Fire Commission.

I feel everyone should be afforded the same chance to have a good paying job, medical benefits and retirement. If elected to the role of Assembly Delegate, I will continue to work at being a voice for the working people. I am asking for your vote for me and for the entire Rise Together slate.”

Thank you to the Edwin M. Lee Asian Pacific Democratic Club for their support and endorsement of the entire Rise Together slate.

Vote for candidates #21- #34 on your AD-17 ballot!

Candidate Profile: Thea Selby

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"I am a San Francisco small business owner; a mom of two public-school-educated boys; co-chair of the San Francisco Transit Riders, the largest transit advocacy group in the Bay Area; and an elected Trustee of City College of San Francisco.

I am very concerned about the future of small businesses that have been hit hard by COVID, especially local merchants, and think large corporations have too much influence and power within the Democratic Party. I would like to see the party focus on supporting small businesses, not Wall Street, and focus on boots on the ground, not taking large donations from corporations."

Thank you to San Francisco Eastern Neighborhoods Democratic Club for their support and endorsement of the entire Rise Together slate.

Vote for candidates #21- #34 on your AD-17 ballot!

Candidate Profile: Nima Rahimi

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"My parents’ difficult immigrant experience helped develop in me a grit and determination that only comes from overcoming life’s challenges, and blazed a path that allowed me to become a lawyer. My family history is why I fight to tear down the barriers facing our immigrant communities and for all people no matter who they are, where they are from, or how they identify."

Thank you to LiUNA!, Local 261 for their support and endorsement of the entire Rise Together slate! We’re so proud to have local labor union support.

Vote for candidates #21- #34 on your AD-17 ballot!

Candidate Profile: Kristen Webb

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“My name is Kristen Webb (she, her/s). I believe representation is how we correct injustice and am dedicated to fighting for better representation of women, people of color, and the LGBT community at all levels of government. I am committed to being a leader who empowers marginalized communities. I serve as a California Democratic Party Assembly District 17 Delegate, participating in the Environmental, LGBT and Women’s caucuses. I am an Emerge CA Alumna and a board member of the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club, United Democratic Club, and the San Francisco Women’s Political Committee.”