Dear Friend,

A few minutes ago, I walked into City Hall and opened an exploratory committee for Mayor.

I’m proud to be a San Franciscan and excited to start a conversation about how we can move our city forward in these difficult economic times.

I hope you will take a minute and join the conversation at LelandYee.com or on our Facebook page.

Everything I am today, I owe to San Francisco.

I came here as an immigrant at the age of 3. I grew up in the City. I went to local public schools and was fortunate enough to get a chance to go to college. I raised my family here – sending my four children to public schools – and served the people of San Francisco as a School Board member, a Supervisor, a State Assemblyman and now as State Senator.

When I walked into City Hall today, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride at the opportunity to give back to the City and people who have done so much for me.

I hope you will join the conversation about how we move San Francisco forward.

It’s a conversation we desperately need to have – and have in a more respectful and civil manner than we have had recently.

We all understand the big challenges we face – making it easier to raise a family in San Francisco and investing in education, balancing the city budget and creating good jobs in a tough economy.

Unfortunately, polarization and political backbiting have often prevented us from working together to solve these important and difficult problems.

I hope you will participate in this conversation about our home, our city and our shared future.

We’d love to have you join our email list and come to house parties and events we will hold across the city as part of this dialogue.

Thank you for your support and encouragement.

Sincerely,

Leland Yee

PS – You can join the conversation with thousands of other San Franciscans on LelandYee.com, Facebook or Twitter.