SAN FRANCISCO — Mayor Edwin M. Lee on Feb. 26 announced his appointment of Katy Tang to the District 4 supervisor’s seat vacated by Carmen Chu.
Chu was appointed to the Board of Supervisors in 2007 and elected in 2008 and 2010. She was sworn in as San Francisco’s newest assessor-recorder on Feb. 27, replacing Phil Ting, who was elected to the State Assembly.
“I am very proud to appoint Katy Tang as the new supervisor for District 4 to continue the good work and leadership that Carmen Chu has provided for so many years,” said Lee. “As a lifelong resident of the district who has worked alongside Carmen Chu on all the key projects and concerns facing the district, I know Katy will be a strong advocate for the district’s families and small businesses and be a great supervisor for San Francisco.”
District 4 comprises the neighborhoods of the Sunset and Parkside.
For more than five years, Tang, 29, has served as Chu’s legislative aide, drafting legislation to create Neighborhood Commercial Districts for District 4 business corridors, increasing protections for victims of domestic violence, streamlining complex city contracting processes, facilitating prompt payment to city contractors, and instituting increased penalties for crimes committed in and around public transit.
Tang advised Chu on policy issues before the Board of Supervisors, analyzed legislation, served as lead staff in developing the city’s first two-year budget that balanced a $6.8 billion annual budget and closed budget shortfalls of $380 million, and worked with District 4 neighbors and businesses to implement community improvement projects, including the completion of a pilot Storefront Improvement Project on Noriega and Taraval streets that improved 15 neighborhood businesses and created a model for small businesses citywide.
Tang also spearheaded efforts to help small businesses comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, creating access for all San Franciscans and protecting businesses.
Prior to joining Chu’s office, Tang served in Mayor Gavin Newsom’s administration in the Office of Public Policy and Finance, where she led neighborhood involvement efforts in the development of the city’s first Community Justice Center.
A graduate of Lowell High School, Tang holds a bachelor’s degree from UC Davis. She speaks Mandarin.
Of the 11 members of the Board of Supervisors, five — the highest number ever — are Asian American: Eric Mar of District 1, David Chiu (board president) of District 3, Tang of District 4, Jane Kim of District 6, and Norman Yee of District 7.