Eva Chao
Eva Chao ran for election to the Bay Area Rapid Transit Board of Directors to represent District 8 in California. Chao lost in the general election on November 6, 2018.
Chao completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2018. Click here to read the survey answers.
Elections
2018
General election
General election for Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Board of Directors District 8
The following candidates ran in the general election for Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Board of Directors District 8 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Janice Li (Nonpartisan)  | 32.0 | 39,997 |
| Eva Chao (Nonpartisan) | 19.7 | 24,525 | ||
| Melanie Nutter (Nonpartisan) | 19.0 | 23,659 | ||
 | Brian Larkin (Nonpartisan) | 13.2 | 16,527 | |
 | Jonathan Lyens (Nonpartisan) | 11.8 | 14,688 | |
 | William Walker (Nonpartisan) | 4.1 | 5,070 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.3 | 343 | ||
| Total votes: 124,809 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Campaign themes
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Eva Chao completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Chao's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
First, I will change the current culture at the BART Board by restoring Rider confidence in the safety of the system, by prioritize police recruitment, training and retention to respect and address rider safety in a meaningful way. Currently, only 35 patrol officers are available during peak hours to cover BART's 48 stations. Second, stop fare evasion in the tunes of as much as $75 million annual losses, by upgrading BART's 1972 year old fare gate. This is revenue that can be used to clean up the stations and provide compassionate fares to law-abiding passengers. Third, address BART's promised yet unfunded $1 BILLION dollar pension & OPEB liabilities to its employees, in order for the transit agency to remain financially solvent in the years to come, and not be a burden to our existing generations.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Transportation. I have been an advocate for all whom have been affected by transportation issues in San Francisco, by speaking at public hearings and writing to SFMTA and local district supervisors on behalf of my own neighborhoods and that of others...because we all know what happens in others' backyards can spillover to our own.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
Please read Thinking Fast and Slow, by Daniel Kahneman, renown nobel-prize recipient. "Daniel Kahneman, who describes the Zajonc experiment in Thinking, Fast and Slow, a compendium of his thought and work. Faced with two false statements, side-by-side, he explains, readers are more likely to believe the one that's typed out in boldface. More advice: "Do not use complex language where simpler language will do," and "in addition to making your message simple, try to make it memorable." These factors combine to produce a feeling of "cognitive ease" that lulls our vigilant, more rational selves into a stupor. It's an old story, and one that's been told many times before. It even has a name: Psychologists call it the illusion of truth. See how it works? A simple or repeated phrase, printed in bold or italics, makes us feel good; it just seems right. For Kahneman, that's exactly what makes it so dangerous."
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Staying true to your principles and why you choose to run and were elected in the first place!
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
I work well with people of all types and see problems as mostly man-made and as challenges that can be overcome. I love to work with the truth, seeks win-win, and have a passion for getting things done right! What sets me apart from all other candidates with long-history from the public and non-profit sectors is that I knows accountability like no one else. In business, and as a businesswoman, one is accountable for every dollar spend effectively. If one misspents, one perishes. For BART to remain financially solvent in the years to come and thrive, it too must spend its money wisely and effectively.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
Get my top 3 priorities done! Be transparent to be held accountable, share information, act bravely on behalf of your constituents and be true to thyself.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
I suffered 3rd degree burns over 1/3 of my body at age 6. It took more than a month for the new skin to regenerate, during which time I suffered incredible pain due to lack of advance treatment method so in order to avoid infections, the doctors resorted to pulling the dressings off of me daily, which felt exactly like my skins were being pulled off of me daily! I saw tears rolling down my mother's eyes. She was very apologetic towards me, and I asked her not to cry and redirected the conversation, "let's sing a song..."
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
Almost all holidays are good holidays! I never looked a gift in the horse's mouth.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?
Wonderwoman!
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
Having space. Things are not as important as relationships and people. Space is the one thing that can not be replaced unless you move. Things can be replaced, but not people. I use things and value people.
Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?
With the passing of AB2923, BART Board Directors are given incredible land-use powers over local jurisdiction that must be cross-checked for this position to be in check and not be bought.
What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?
Private sector experience where you are accountable for every dollar mis-spent, Finance and the ability to negotiate win-win with others. See prior explanation above. Thanks for your time and attention in casting an important vote.
What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the local government?
It controls transportation over 9 Bay Area regions/counties and oversees a whooping $2.3 Billion dollar annual budget.
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?
No, certainly do not propel status quo by electing someone who are bought into special interests or part of the current political establishment that may already be leading us to the current lack of accountability we see in many high places.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
External links
Footnotes
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