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Nelson Mei

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This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.
Nelson Mei
Elections and appointments
Last election
November 5, 2024
Education
High school
George Washington High School
Bachelor's
San Francisco State University, 2019
Contact

Nelson Mei ran for election for Mayor of San Francisco in California. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Mei completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Nelson Mei graduated from George Washington High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from San Francisco State University in 2019.[1]

Elections

2024

See also: Mayoral election in San Francisco, California (2024)

General election

General election for Mayor of San Francisco

The ranked-choice voting election was won by Daniel Lurie in round 14 . The results of Round are displayed below. To see the results of other rounds, use the dropdown menu above to select a round and the table will update.


Total votes: 390,184
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Mei in this election.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Nelson Mei completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Mei's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

I'm a long-time resident of San Francisco with a robust background in technology, and I'm running for mayor in 2024. I'm committed to tackling the city's most pressing challenges, with a vision of creating a San Francisco where everyone loves to live. My aspiration is to make San Francisco the safest city in the world.
  • Public Safety: My top priority is the safety of every resident. To make San Francisco the safest city in the world, I'll focus on two key strategies. First, I'll reform policies to ensure that every criminal is prosecuted and faces serious consequences for their actions. Second, I'll implement cutting-edge technologies to empower the SFPD to catch every individual who commits a crime, sending a clear message that in San Francisco, criminals will be 100% held accountable and punished for their crimes.
  • Homelessness: I am committed to addressing the homelessness crisis with a focus on both compassion and effectiveness. To significantly reduce homelessness in San Francisco, I plan to implement comprehensive solutions that provide individuals with the support they need to transition from the streets to stable housing and meaningful employment. By enhancing collaboration between city agencies and community organizations, I aim to ensure that resources are effectively used to address the root causes of homelessness, ultimately leading to a significant and lasting reduction in homelessness across San Francisco.
  • City Revitalization: I am dedicated to breathing new life into San Francisco, transforming it into a thriving, vibrant city once again. My vision includes revitalizing the downtown area, attracting new businesses, and supporting local entrepreneurs to create a dynamic economy that benefits all residents. I plan to enhance public spaces, improve infrastructure, and foster a sense of community pride, making San Francisco a place where people not only live and work but also enjoy and celebrate life. Through strategic investments and bold initiatives, I aim to restore San Francisco's status as a world-class city, where opportunity and quality of life go hand in hand.
I am personally passionate about public safety and ensuring that the city treats every resident fairly. I believe that public safety is fundamental to creating a community where everyone can thrive, and I am dedicated to implementing policies that protect all residents. Equally important to me is the commitment to fairness and equity, ensuring that every person in San Francisco, regardless of their background, has access to the same opportunities, resources, and protections.
I believe that the most important characteristics of an elected official are integrity, accountability, and vision. Integrity ensures that decisions are made based on what is right for the community, rather than personal gain. Accountability is crucial, as it holds leaders responsible for their actions and ensures they deliver on their promises. Lastly, having a clear vision is essential; an elected official must be able to see beyond immediate challenges and guide the community toward a better future. These principles are the foundation of effective and trustworthy leadership.
The qualities that would make me a successful officeholder include strong leadership skills, a commitment to accountability, and the ability to think strategically. With a clear vision for the future of San Francisco, I am dedicated to making decisions that prioritize the well-being of every resident. My background in technology equips me with a problem-solving mindset and the ability to innovate, while my focus on transparency ensures that actions are always in the best interests of the community. Additionally, a deep passion for public service drives me to work tirelessly to improve the quality of life for all San Franciscans.
I believe that the core responsibilities of someone elected to the office of mayor include ensuring public safety, managing the city's resources effectively, and fostering an environment where all residents can thrive. The mayor must lead with a clear vision, making decisions that prioritize the well-being of the community and address the most pressing challenges. Additionally, the mayor is responsible for upholding transparency, promoting fairness, and ensuring that all city services are delivered efficiently and equitably. Ultimately, the mayor must work tirelessly to improve the quality of life for every resident and maintain the trust and confidence of the people.
I want people to remember me as the best mayor San Francisco has ever had—a leader who tackled the city's toughest challenges head-on and made a real difference in the lives of its residents. My legacy will be one of transformative change, where San Francisco became safer, more prosperous, and more inclusive under my leadership. I aim to leave behind a city that thrives, where every resident feels proud to call San Francisco home, and where the improvements we made together continue to benefit future generations.
To me, being a mayor means being the chief advocate and steward of the city. It's about leading with vision and purpose, setting a clear direction for the future, and making decisions that prioritize the well-being of every resident and the future of the city. As a leader, the mayor must inspire confidence, build consensus, and foster a sense of community. It also means being accountable to the people, ensuring that their voices are heard and their needs are met. Ultimately, being a mayor is about guiding the city through challenges, seizing opportunities for growth, and working tirelessly to improve the quality of life for everyone in the community.
I love that San Francisco is a place where people from many different cultures come together. The city's rich diversity creates a vibrant community, filled with unique traditions, perspectives, and experiences. This multicultural environment not only makes San Francisco dynamic and exciting, but it also fosters a deep sense of inclusivity and connection, making it a place where everyone feels at home.
Over the next decade, I perceive San Francisco's greatest challenges to be addressing the ongoing issues of public safety, managing the homelessness crisis—which is part of a larger, country-wide problem—and revitalizing the local economy. Ensuring the safety of every resident is paramount, as the city must combat rising crime rates and restore a sense of security in our communities. The homelessness crisis requires comprehensive, compassionate solutions that address both immediate needs and long-term rehabilitation, recognizing that this is a challenge not just for our city but for the entire nation. Additionally, revitalizing the economy will be crucial as we navigate post-pandemic recovery, attract new businesses, and support local entrepreneurs. These challenges, if not addressed effectively, could impact the quality of life for all San Franciscans and the city's ability to thrive in the future.
San Francisco plays a pivotal role in the state's economy, culture, and innovation. The city's unique position as a hub for technology, tourism, and diverse communities makes it a key driver of progress and development in the region. As such, a strong and collaborative relationship between San Francisco and the state government is essential to ensure that both can effectively address challenges and continue to thrive. The state government should empower the city with greater autonomy, including the ability to override ineffective policies like Prop 47—a law that reclassified certain low-level crimes from potential felonies to misdemeanors—so that San Francisco can implement solutions that best serve its residents and address its unique challenges.
I believe the ideal relationship between San Francisco and the federal government should be one of cooperation, mutual respect, and support. The federal government should provide the necessary resources and frameworks to help the city address its unique challenges, such as housing, public safety, and infrastructure. At the same time, it’s important that the federal government respects the city's autonomy, allowing San Francisco to implement policies and solutions tailored to its specific needs. A strong partnership with the federal government can enable San Francisco to thrive, ensuring that local and national priorities are aligned for the benefit of all residents.
I believe the ideal relationship between the mayor's office and law enforcement should be built on trust, collaboration, and shared goals. The mayor's office should provide clear leadership and support to law enforcement, ensuring they have the resources, tools, and policies needed to effectively protect and serve the community. In turn, law enforcement should work closely with the mayor to implement strategies that enhance public safety, uphold justice, and maintain community trust. Open communication and mutual respect are key, allowing both the mayor's office and law enforcement to work together seamlessly to create a safe and secure environment for all residents.
I strongly believe that financial transparency and government accountability are essential pillars of effective leadership. The public has the right to know how their tax dollars are being spent, and clear, accessible reporting is crucial for building trust between the government and the community. I am committed to ensuring that every dollar spent is accounted for and that city officials are held responsible for their decisions and actions. By promoting transparency and accountability, I aim to create a government that is responsive, trustworthy, and truly serves the best interests of all San Franciscans.

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

  1. Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on September 3, 2024