Opinion: A voice for every community and the next generation of San Francisco

Nearly 30 years ago, I came to San Francisco as an immigrant. I built my life here, worked here and raised my family here. Both of my sons were born in San Francisco. This city became our home.

Today, I am running as an independent candidate for San Francisco District 2 Supervisor. I am also the only Asian American woman candidate in this race.

I am proud to be Thai American and Southeast Asian. I understand how important representation is, especially for immigrant and Asian American communities that have not always felt heard in government.

But I do not want people to vote for me simply because I am Asian, a woman or an immigrant.

I want people to judge me by whether I listen, whether I show up and whether I will work for everyone.

I never planned to enter politics. My path to public service began after my father, Vicha Ratanapakdee, was attacked during his morning walk in San Francisco in 2021. He was 84 years old.

Losing my father changed my life. I became an advocate for victims, seniors, immigrants and families. I founded the Justice for Vicha Ratanapakdee Foundation and later became a San Francisco Immigrant Rights Commissioner.

Through this work, I learned that representation matters.

But having a seat at the table is not enough. Government must listen to the people it serves. That lesson has become even clearer during my campaign.

I have been walking door to door throughout District 2 and speaking directly with residents. I have met seniors, parents, renters, homeowners, workers and small business owners.

I hear the same frustration again and again: people feel City Hall is not listening to them.

Residents talk to me about public safety, housing and development, traffic, clean streets and small businesses struggling to survive. They worry about whether San Francisco is moving in the right direction and whether their voices matter when important decisions are made.

These are not Asian issues. They are not immigrant issues. They are San Francisco issues. That is why I chose to run as an independent candidate.

I believe the local government should listen to residents before politics. I am willing to work with anyone when it helps the people I represent.

If I am elected, I will not represent only Asian Americans, immigrants or women. I will represent everyone in District 2.

I also think about what we are leaving to the next generation.

Both of my sons were born here. San Francisco is the only hometown they have ever known. I want them, and every young person growing up here, to have the opportunity to stay, work, raise a family and build a future in this city.

Nearly 30 years ago, San Francisco gave me the opportunity to build a new life. Now I want to give back to the city that became my home.

My immigrant story is part of who I am. My Thai American and Southeast Asian identity is part of who I am. My father's story is part of why I became an advocate.

But this campaign is about something bigger than my story.

It is about whether residents feel heard. It is about whether the government listens. And it is about what kind of San Francisco we will leave to our children.

This November, District 2 voters have a choice. I am asking them to choose a voice that will listen, show up and work for everyone - and for the future generations who will call San Francisco home.

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Monthanus Ratanapakdee is a candidate running for San Francisco District 2 Supervisor in the November election. She is the Founder and Executive Director of the Justice for Vicha Ratanapakdee Foundation. She has served on the San Francisco Immigrant Rights Commission since August 2024.