Supervisor Joel Engardio Recalled by District 4 Voters

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 17, 2025 - San Francisco District 4 Supervisor Joel Engardio was officially removed from office after 64.6 percent of Sunset District voters approved a recall sparked by his support for converting the Upper Great Highway into a public park.

Nut Graf Engardio’s ouster marks the first successful recall of a sitting supervisor in city history and underscores deep neighborhood divisions over land-use priorities and traffic impacts. The result also hands Mayor Daniel Lurie the authority to appoint an interim replacement until voters choose a successor next summer.

Key Details

  • Recall Vote Outcome
    • Proposition A passed with 64.64 percent “yes” votes in early returns, exceeding the simple‐majority threshold.
    • Approximately 16,437 ballots were cast out of 50,273 registered District 4 voters, a 33 percent turnout.
  • Catalyst: Sunset Dunes Park Engardio co-sponsored Proposition K in November 2024 to close a two-mile stretch of the Great Highway and establish “Sunset Dunes” park. While popular citywide, most residents in his district opposed losing direct coastal access and blamed Engardio for inadequate community engagement.
  • Concession and Aftermath Engardio conceded Tuesday night, stating, “My time as a supervisor is going to be shorter than expected. I accept the election results. But we can still celebrate because we’re on the right side of history”. Mayor Lurie praised Engardio’s service and announced plans to evaluate candidates for an interim appointment once election results are certified.

What Comes Next

  • Mayoral Appointment Under city charter, Lurie will appoint a caretaker to serve until a June 2026 special election fills the remainder of Engardio’s term. The choice will shape the Board of Supervisors’ balance on issues like housing rezoning and coastal access.
  • Broader Implications Engardio’s recall follows a series of high-profile removals of Bay Area elected officials, signaling voter impatience with rapid policy changes perceived as top-down. Observers note this outcome may deter bold land-use initiatives without extensive local buy-in.

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