Why I'm Running for District 7 Supervisor

By Michael Garcia

Throughout this campaign, I will be visiting your neighborhood to talk to you about my campaign and vision for how we can make District 7 and San Francisco a better place to both work and live. Let me tell you a little about why I love District 7 and why I am running for District 7 Supervisor.

From our village-like areas, such as West Portal and Lakeside, to the beautiful homes in St. Francis Wood, Forest Hills, and other areas, to the incredible views from West of Twin Peaks and Westwood Highlands, District 7 has some of the most iconic neighborhoods of our city. We are blessed with an amazing quality of life, vibrant neighborhood-based businesses, and a community that is active and committed to making San Francisco a thriving city.

Cheryl and I have been lucky to call District 7 and the Merced Manor neighborhood our home for the last thirty years. In that time, I started a successful business, Cheryl worked at Lakeside Presbyterian Center for Children, we raised a family here, were active in our schools, our church, and in so many incredible community activities. Indeed, our two children, Scott Biggs, who is a decorated Sergeant in the San Francisco Police Department, and Amanda, who works in the tech industry, made the decision to stay in San Francisco and start their careers and lives here.

Unfortunately, many families in San Francisco are being forced to leave to find more affordable neighborhoods in other cities. The loss of these families threatens the long-term fiscal health of our City.

As District 7 Supervisor, a top priority will be to help families stay in our City and to support legislation that provides incentives to make it easier to buy a home. San Francisco derives its strength from having strong and diverse neighborhoods and I will find solutions to keep our families here without destroying that neighborhood character.

Making Government Work for You

I was raised to always regard public service as more than just words + it is a higher calling to something truly important.

Whether fighting for civil rights in New Orleans as a young adult, teaching under-privileged kids in high schools, or serving on my children's school board, I have spent my life committed to ensuring that government serves the values of social justice and equality. The experience I have gained through service to our City on San Francisco's Ethics Commission, and later on the Board of Appeals, has taught me that government can work when we get involved to create positive change.

But, we all want a government that works for us, and not the other way around. As District 7 Supervisor, I will go to City Hall to ensure that we live within our means and that our tax dollars are spent on programs and services that actually address the needs of San Francisco +affordable and middle-income housing, clean streets, safe neighborhoods + while advancing our quality of life.

Creating Sustainable Economic Development and Job Growth

After graduating from Loyola University New Orleans with an MBA with my concentration in Economics, I founded two successful companies + a marketing and management consulting firm and a band-booking agency. Our family moved to San Francisco when I bought a seat on the Pacific Stock Exchange to trade options as a sole proprietor. As a business owner, I came to understand the challenges and risks of building a company from the ground up; from meeting a payroll, to marketing a business in a challenging economy.

In San Francisco, we put up far too many barriers to helping small businesses grow. As President of the Board of Appeals, I have witnessed first-hand the challenges a company has working in our city.

In District 7, our business community is a critical component to the social and economic fabric of our community. But, we are often overburdened by overly complex regulations that make it financially difficult to succeed and hire more employees.

As District 7 Supervisor, I want to streamline governmental agencies to make it easier for small businesses and individual homeowners to obtain permits in order to facilitate reasonable and responsible growth. By working to make business ownership less complicated, we can create a business community that is both sustainable and reflective of the values of San Francisco.

Earning your vote

To become an elected official in San Francisco isn't easy + you have to earn the position. That's why our campaign is committed to working in every neighborhood and walking every block to get to know you in order to earn your trust and your vote.

As your District 7 Supervisor, I know there will be plenty to do to help rebuild our economy, restore job growth, improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods, and ensure government is doing its part to make that a reality.

But, I need your help to make that happen. Let's go to work together to create common sense leadership at City Hall that continues to move our community and San Francisco forward.