Myrna Melgar

Myrna Melgar (born March 17, 1968) is an American politician currently serving as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors for District 7 since January 8, 2021. Melgar is the first woman elected to represent District 7. Additionally, she is the first Jewish Latina to serve on the Board of Supervisors after the implementation of District elections in 2004.

Early life and education

Melgar was born in El Salvador. Her family fled during the Salvadoran Civil War when she was 12 and settled in San Francisco. Later on, she attended San Francisco State University and graduated from Excelsior College, earning a bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts and a master's degree in Urban Planning from Columbia University.

Career

Myrna formerly worked as the executive director of the Jamestown Community Center, Deputy Director of the Mission Economic Development Agency, Director of Homeownership Programs at the Mayor's Office of Housing during the Newsom Administration, and served as President of the City Planning Commission and Vice President of the Building Inspection Commission. Melgar also served as a legislative aid to Eric Mar.

San Francisco Board of Supervisors

Melgar was elected Supervisor for District 7 on November 3, 2020, with 18,561 total votes after ranked-choice allocations, garnering 53.1% of the vote. She was sworn into office on January 8, 2021, replacing former Supervisor and President of the Board Norman Yee, who endorsed her as his successor.

Melgar chairs the Land Use and Transportation Committee of the Board and serves on the Youth, Young Adult, and Families Committee, and the Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee. Melgar is also a Commissioner for the County Transportation Authority, Bay Area Air Quality District, and the First Five Commission.

Melgar has advocated for the expansion of the "Free Muni for Youth" program to all youth in August 2021.

Housing

In 2021, Melgar was among the members of the Board of Supervisors who voted to block construction of a 495-unit apartment building (with 25% affordable housing) on the site of a valet parking lot. The controversial vote prompted an investigation of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors by California state officials.

In 2023, Melgar voted to halt the conversion of a single-family home in Nob Hill into ten townhomes. She cited concerns over contaminated soils.

Personal life

Melgar resides in the Ingleside Terraces neighborhood with her partner, environmental lawyer Sean H. Donahue, and three daughters.