Vote NO on the Engardio Recall

At a time when San Franciscans are asking their leaders to focus on climate action, housing affordability, and safer streets, we cannot afford to waste energy and public resources on a recall effort that does not serve the public interest.

We oppose the recall of District 4 Supervisor Joel Engardio because it is rooted in disagreement, not misconduct or malfeasance. While disagreement is a healthy part of democracy, using the recall process to reverse a valid election result is not.

Supervisor Engardio was elected in a fair and competitive race. That choice should be respected. Voters deserve the stability of knowing that their voice matters, and that election outcomes will be honored unless there is a clear breach of public trust.

Supervisor Engardio's decisions to date in no way demonstrate a breach of trust. He has supported key environmental efforts during his time in office. He backed Proposition L, which would have taxed Uber, Lyft, and Waymo to help fund Muni service. He opposed San Francisco’s lawsuit against the EPA, siding with clean water protections around our shoreline. He helped advance climate-friendly housing policy, supporting infill development, senior affordable housing bonds, and legislation to convert underused downtown buildings into homes. He voted to create Sunset Dunes, a new coastal park. He also supported public space and safer streets funding through Proposition B, and helped appoint walk/bike/transit champions to the SFMTA board. Disagreement about whether these were sound policy choices is for another day.

Recalls such as this set a concerning precedent. We risk eroding the very structure of representative government if we normalize recalling elected officials simply because we disagree with their policies. And we further polarize a city that is already navigating complex, urgent challenges.

Additionally, there is the question of capacity. Special elections take resources away from the important work of government: expanding access to sustainable transportation, investing in green infrastructure, and building healthier, more equitable communities. Our city cannot afford to redirect time and funding toward political infighting at the expense of real progress.

This recall effort does not meet the standard of holding elected leaders accountable for breaches of duty. It is a misuse of process and a distraction from the serious challenges we face as a city.

We urge San Franciscans to reject this recall and stay focused on the future we’re trying to build: one that is just, sustainable, and grounded in democratic stability.