Meet the candidates: SF’s District 7 supervisor race

Matt Boschetto

Small businesses are the economic backbone of the City. As a small business owner, I know how tough this city can be for a business to operate, get permits, find the right space – and thrive. I’ve also learned that leading a team, keeping track of the bottom line, and focusing on achieving your goals are the keys to success. If I don’t balance our flower business’s budget wisely, we’ll lose the business. Every decision I make impacts the livelihood of our employees. I promise to bring a small businessowner’s sense of accountability, adaptability, and authenticity in the role of Supervisor.

Stephen Martin-Pinto

Since 2016, I’ve had leadership roles in D7, as president of Sunnyside Neighborhood Association and West of Twin Peaks Central Council. I’ve established personal relationships with neighborhood representatives and together we’ve worked to address a variety of local issues. I’ve served on the Veteran Affairs Commission since 2019, co-authoring legislation and working with supervisors and the mayor’s office to get it passed. As a 21-year veteran of the US Marine Corps, I’ve been a foreign military advisor, negotiating with partner nations, making compromises and deals that serve both of our interests. Few candidates have the leadership experience that I have.

Myrna Melgar

My work as Supervisor is to help District 7 constituents successfully access City services and to legislate for the City as a whole. I am a mother of 3 girls who grew up going to school and playing in District 7. Our synagogue is here. I love my neighbors, the community that my family is connected to:  I am accountable to them. 

I know the legislative process well;  before I was elected Supervisor, I worked for two different members of the Board of Supervisors, and for Mayor Newsom in the Mayor’s Office of Housing. I served as a commissioner for … Read more

Matt Boschetto

Trying to build a business and raise a family in SF, I became very frustrated by the politics of our city. For decades City Hall has been dominated by professional politicians who have prioritized ideology and career trajectories over the needs of their constituents. By challenging an incumbent, I am challenging that status quo, taking the power away from the establishment, and putting it back into the hands of the people. And I hope I will not be the only one – I hope to see others like me join this political process and serve the city we love.

Stephen Martin-Pinto

We need working-class, blue-collar representation. I’ve been a union ironworker, US Marine, and SF firefighter. I’ve seen first-hand the end results of how our city policies play out. I have unique real-world experiences and common sense perspectives that very few in politics have and will offer pragmatic solutions. We need someone with a vested personal interest in San Francisco; I was born and raised here, attended public schools here (Lowell High School) and have family here. I started this campaign myself; it’s neither a political arrangement nor a career move. I’m running because I actually care and want to improve San Francisco.

Myrna Melgar

I am running again because I want to continue serving my community. I think that my particular set of skills, knowledge and relationships are useful for District 7 as we navigate this period in the life of our city. Over the past 4 years, I have prioritized the very diverse needs of D7 through the pandemic and the recovery — and delivered on safety, support for small businesses, housing, transportation, support for families with children and seniors. We are not out of the woods just yet, but I am proud of my legislative record, and the constituent services my office has … Read more

Matt Boschetto

I want District 7 residents to feel safe on our streets and in our homes, protected by the San Francisco Police Department and our city government. At a time when funding is stretched thin and full police staffing is years away, our community voice has never mattered more. I will work hand-and-hand with D7 neighborhoods to revitalize community watch programs, advocate for City Hall to support them and work closely with precinct captains to run operations to fight specific crimes, like retail theft. Finally, I support the use of technology, like drones and cameras, to help police fulfill their mandate to keep us all safe.

Stephen Martin-Pinto

The drug markets, because it reaches into so many of the major issues facing San Francisco today, let alone the staggering cost to human lives. I have personally witnessed the human tragedy at ground level as a firefighter/EMT, and have personally administered Narcan to users who have overdosed. Normally, we’re able to revive them, but sometimes we’re not, even as their dealer is standing nearby. Witnessing the death of a drug overdose victim always stays with you. We need stronger policies and legislation against dealers to include deportation and Alexandra’s Law, all while offering abstinence-based treatment to users.

Myrna Melgar

My number one issue is to maintain District 7 as San Francisco’s best district to live, work, do business and go to school in.  Our City is changing; the pandemic also changed us. Safety issues are paramount, especially on our commercial corridors, while staffing in our police precincts is at an all time low.  We have successfully implemented a police ambassador program, funded neighborhood based safety programs and police overtime. My office has worked with City departments, Stonestown mall and the school district on a coordinated response to youth violence at the mall. I will support all strategies proven to support the safety and the feeling of safety for the D7 community.