You’ve got milk in your refrigerator
that’s been there longer than
Michael Lai has lived in our district.
that’s been there longer than
Michael Lai has lived in our district.
You’ve got milk in your refrigerator that’s
been there longer than
Michael Lai has lived
in our district.
There’s just something sour about politicians like Michael Lai
using our district as a stepping stone.
using our district as a stepping stone.
There’s just something sour about politicians like Michael Lai using our district as a stepping stone.
Political climber Michael Lai suddenly decided to move into our district earlier this year so that he could run for the “open seat” vacated by Supervisor Ahsha Safaí. We thought you should know the truth about Lai’s concerning residency history and history exploiting teachers.
Check the facts on Michael Lai below.
HE EXPLOITED LOCAL TEACHERS.
At Tinycare, Michael Lai’s early education startup, teachers ran their own daycare studios out of the apartments they were living in. Teachers report they were not paid livable wages, misled about subsidized housing, laid off abruptly and left
without homes or jobs. The business model required teachers to co-sign apartment leases and obtain daycare licenses under their own names, trapping them in confusing contracts and harmful working conditions. 1
At Tinycare, Michael Lai’s early education startup, teachers ran their own daycare studios out of the apartments they were living in. Teachers report they were not paid livable wages, misled about subsidized housing, laid off abruptly and left
without homes or jobs. The business model required teachers to co-sign apartment leases and obtain daycare licenses under their own names, trapping them in confusing contracts and harmful working conditions. 1
HIS “STARTUP” WAS SUED BY EMPLOYEES OVER WAGE CLAIMS.
Despite the company raising nearly $20 million, teachers report not being paid livable wages or overtime—despite having to buy groceries, clean, cook and handle administrative tasks outside of daycare hours. This resulted in not one, but two lawsuits against the company by former employees over wage claims, overtime issues and housing. 1
Despite the company raising nearly $20 million, teachers report not being paid livable wages or overtime—despite having to buy groceries, clean, cook and handle administrative tasks outside of daycare hours. This resulted in not one, but two lawsuits against the company by former employees over wage claims, overtime issues and housing. 1
HE RECEIVED A LABOR VIOLATION COMPLAINT.
A complaint was filed with the California Labor Commissioner against both Lai himself and Tinycare, over wage and compensation issues. 1
A complaint was filed with the California Labor Commissioner against both Lai himself and Tinycare, over wage and compensation issues. 1
HIS COMMITMENT TO OUR DISTRICT IS QUESTIONABLE.
This July, after filing to represent District 11 after only living here the minimum required time, Lai then re-registered back into the 5th District across town for just a matter of days, then he re-registered back into our district days later. He has only been in District 11 for less than six months and his first time voting here was in March 2024. Before that, he was registered in a handful of other districts he’s lived in across San Francisco, but never in ours. 2
This July, after filing to represent District 11 after only living here the minimum required time, Lai then re-registered back into the 5th District across town for just a matter of days, then he re-registered back into our district days later. He has only been in District 11 for less than six months and his first time voting here was in March 2024. Before that, he was registered in a handful of other districts he’s lived in across San Francisco, but never in ours. 2
HIS VOTER REGISTRATION HISTORY IS INCONSISTENT.
Records show that in December 2022, Lai both cancelled his voter registration due to moving out of San Francisco County and then reregistered in the 5th District across town. Where does he really live? And now there are even questions whether he is qualified to run because of his residency issues. 2
Records show that in December 2022, Lai both cancelled his voter registration due to moving out of San Francisco County and then reregistered in the 5th District across town. Where does he really live? And now there are even questions whether he is qualified to run because of his residency issues. 2
HE HAS CONCERNING TIES TO LOBBYING GROUPS.
He made up to $100,000 on the payroll of a “dark money” group that has given tens of thousands of dollars to his campaigns. And he is backed by the same dark money groups and Republican-backed groups that are spending millions in our elections, trying to make San Francisco a city that works for corporations at the expense of working families. This makes us wonder: is one of the deep-pocketed groups trying to buy our elections paying Michael Lai to run for this seat? 3 4
He made up to $100,000 on the payroll of a “dark money” group that has given tens of thousands of dollars to his campaigns. And he is backed by the same dark money groups and Republican-backed groups that are spending millions in our elections, trying to make San Francisco a city that works for corporations at the expense of working families. This makes us wonder: is one of the deep-pocketed groups trying to buy our elections paying Michael Lai to run for this seat? 3 4
Is This Who We Want Representing Our Families?
District 11 is made up of longtime families, dedicated community leaders, and close-knit neighborhoods. We deserve a representative who understands our needs and has deep ties to our district—not someone who just moved here to run for an “open seat” that suits his political ambitions. And we certainly don’t need a representative with a history of exploiting working families.
Media
Sources
1 “Supe candidate Michael Lai touts his education startup. Teachers recall low wages, disorder and collapse”; Mission Local, September 4, 2024 [Link]
1 “Supe candidate Michael Lai touts his education startup. Teachers recall low wages, disorder and collapse”; Mission Local, September 4, 2024 [Link]
2 San Francisco Registrar of Voters
2 San Francisco Registrar of Voters
3 San Francisco Ethics Commission Data Dashboards, Michael Lai for Democratic County Central Committee 2024; Michael Lai for Supervisor 2024; Lai Form 700 Statement of Economic Interests
3 San Francisco Ethics Commission Data Dashboards, Michael Lai for Democratic County Central Committee 2024; Michael Lai for Supervisor 2024; Lai Form 700 Statement of Economic Interests
4 Lai Nomination Docs, District 11 Supervisorial Election; pg. 26; [Link]
4 Lai Nomination Docs, District 11 Supervisorial Election; pg. 26; [Link]
