I Never Meant to Be Here

Group of nine diverse people standing in a line indoors, smiling, in front of a reception desk.

If you'd told me 20 years ago that I'd be running for San Francisco Board of Supervisors, I wouldn't have believed you.

I came here for law school. Started organizing because I needed community. Saved GAPA from closing because someone had to. Created QTAPI Week because our stories mattered. Performed as Juicy Liu because joy is resistance. Became President of the National Conference of Vietnamese American Attorneys because our voices deserved to be heard.

Every step felt accidental. Every turn taught me something.

Two men standing on steps indoors, smiling, in front of a large colorful rainbow display with a portrait of a person holding a sign that says 'More Peace Less Silent'. One man is wearing a striped shirt and shorts, and the other is wearing a dark shirt with rainbow text. They are holding papers or tickets.
Two men standing on a sidewalk, smiling, one holding a campaign sign that reads 'Vote Michael Nguyen for SF Democratic Party', the other holding a small booklet, with city buildings and a bus in the background.
Two individuals smiling at Pride event, holding LGBTQ+ themed fan and mask; crowd with balloons in background.

The Twists and Turns

My journey hasn't been a straight line to political office. It's been messy, uncertain, full of moments where I thought, "I'm not qualified for this" or "Someone else should lead."

But here's what I've learned along the way:

Leadership isn't about having all the answers—it's about showing up and doing the work.

I've learned how to:

  • Save organizations that others gave up on

  • Build coalitions across different communities

  • Draft policies that actually work

  • Speak truth to power when it's uncomfortable

  • Listen to people who feel unheard

  • Turn progressive values into real change

Why I'm Running Now

My friend Viet's death taught me that life is short and silence has consequences. Watching families get displaced taught me that waiting for someone else to act means nothing changes.

I'm fighting for progressive values in one of the most progressive cities in the United States. But I know that being progressive means more than politics—it means progress. Real change. Accountability.

At the end of the day, I'm accountable to my constituents and the trust you place in me to govern.

Not because I always wanted this job, but because I've spent 20 years learning how to do it—in community centers, at organizing meetings, in boardrooms, on stages, and in rooms where decisions get made.

I stumbled into this journey. But every twist and turn prepared me to fight for you.

I will fight, as your District 8 Supervisor, for:

People at a lively event, with a person dressed as a drag queen holding a piece of paper and making a peace sign, and others holding campaign signs supporting Michael Nguyen for Democratic Party.

  • City hall should work for all San Franciscans, not just a wealthy few. Let’s uplift our most vulnerable by having everyone pay their fair share.

  • Muni is a lifeline for folks to get to work, kids to get to school, elders to get their care, and party goers to enjoy the nightlife. Let’s make sure we save public transit for all!

  • We have to address the real reasons why housing hasn’t actually been built — and it isn’t just about zoning reform. We need to find new ways to fund affordable housing while keeping the magic of our neighborhoods alive! Innovative solutions like social housing, land banking through community land trusts, and new funding mechanisms will help bring down rents and make homeownership a reality for more San Franciscans.