The daughter of Vicha Ratanapakdee, an 84-year-old Thai immigrant whose brutal murder sent shockwaves through San Francisco, is now pursuing a political path following the leniency shown to her father’s murderer.
Montanus Ratanapakdee, a victim rights advocate, announced on Wednesday her intention to run as an independent candidate for the Ward 2 supervisor position in the upcoming elections on June 2. She aims to introduce what she terms “common sense leadership” and enhance safety in the struggling city.
Her campaign is focused on promoting “safer communities” and delivering “real results.” Ratanapakdee expressed, “My father’s case is personal to me, but this campaign is about our city. We need safer streets. Accountability matters. It’s people over politics.”
In a conversation with the Post, she shared her frustrations regarding the current security situation and the lack of decisive action being taken by officials.
Ratanapakdee is hopeful she can alter the race dynamics, considering there will be two elections this year following incumbent Supervisor Stephen Sherrill’s upcoming appointment at the end of 2024.
“I’ve always felt unsafe and I’m dissatisfied with how the criminal justice system is functioning here,” she noted. “We need to instill common sense back into our community.”
Her father, Vicha Ratanapakdee, tragically lost his life in 2021 as he was violently attacked in the Anza Vista neighborhood.
The assailant, Antoine Watson, now 25, was filmed during the incident, prompting national conversations about anti-Asian violence and the need for better protections for the elderly.
In response to the attack, Judge Linda Colfax sentenced Watson to eight years in prison but suspended part of the sentence, citing concerns about the negative effects of prolonged incarceration on him, as he’d already spent five years in county jail.
Critics of the judge highlighted her tendency to issue lenient sentences in other cases as well.
Though Watson was convicted of manslaughter and assault, he was acquitted of murder. The prosecution maintained that he should have understood the dangers of his actions, while the defense claimed it was a spontaneous act without intent to kill.
Watson expressed remorse in court, emphasizing that he reflects on his actions daily and wishes he could change the outcome.
Ratanapakdee has positioned herself as a strong advocate for victims’ rights and public safety reform, and she frequently critiques the city’s leadership regarding crime. Nevertheless, her campaign is just beginning.
Sherrill has garnered significant backing to maintain his role representing District 2, which encompasses areas like Marina, Pacific Heights, and Cow Hollow, where crime and homelessness are hot topics.
Reportedly, Sherrill’s appointment was part of a reciprocal deal enabling former Mayor London Breed to take a position with the Aspen Institute, an organization linked to New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who has been a mentor to Sherrill. Both Sherrill and Breed have denied any wrongdoing.
Ratanapakdee has voiced her dissatisfaction with the local Democratic Party and plans to gather support through a write-in campaign for re-election to the D2 Oversight Committee in November.
“It’s heartbreaking that I couldn’t protect my father, who lost his life in my neighborhood,” she remarked. “I’m determined to be a voice for change.”
