Case Against Recall
“Stand with Joel” rallies. Top: August 2025. Bottom: February 2025.
By Supervisor Joel Engardio
San Francisco is finally heading in the right direction. And I’m proud to deliver results for the Sunset:
Restored parking access along Lower Great Highway, which had been overtaken with RVs.
Brought more foot patrols to merchant corridors with a program that lets recently retired officers return to the beat — and I’m supporting the mayor’s plan to expand and improve the program to help solve the SFPD staff shortage.
Secured $1 million in state funding for irrigation upgrades for Sunset Boulevard beautification and $1 million in city funding for more gardeners.
Delivered $1 million in relief for merchants disrupted by the L-Taraval train line reconstruction.
Accelerated the repair of three Sunset playgrounds by two years.
Authored and passed legislation that lets homeowners build and sell backyard in-law units — giving longtime residents options to downsize and create family wealth.
Protected the coast from high rise development and stopped the avenues along the Sunset Boulevard greenbelt from being up-zoned.
Supported the mayor’s sensible housing plan to focus much-needed housing on transit and merchant corridors.
Launched the Sunset Night Market with community partners. The events attracted tens of thousands to the Sunset to support local businesses. We also proved what’s possible for night markets citywide.
Worked with parent advocates and sponsored Prop G, which called on the school district to bring back 8th grade algebra. The threat of the measure pushed SFUSD to reintroduce the course after a decade of delay. Its passage ensured accountability.
Responded to thousands of constituent inquiries to fix things from potholes to traffic flow. My staff is incredibly dedicated to helping people.
This work requires proven leadership. Why jeopardize the Sunset’s progress with a misguided recall?
What will a recall accomplish?
Let’s be clear: this recall isn’t about corruption or failing to do my job — it’s political retaliation over a single issue.
A recall won’t reopen the Great Highway. But it will take away your choice to select your supervisor. Voting yes on the recall will result in an unknown and unelected appointee. This will force a supervisor election next June followed by yet another in November. Little will get done during this repeated turmoil.
Voting no on the recall preserves your ability to choose your supervisor, and keep the Sunset moving forward. You will have the opportunity next November to elect a new supervisor from a range of candidates or keep me in office.
Great Highway position
My position on the Great Highway has always been consistent. With coastal erosion forcing the closure of the southern section of the Great Highway, my 2022 campaign website said this would create the opportunity for a permanent oceanside park between Lincoln and Sloat. I also talked about how traffic patterns had to change when the connection to Daly City was closed by state mandate.
Before my election, I campaigned against Prop I, the ballot measure to open the Great Highway to cars 24/7. I said at debates that Prop I would have killed the best option at the time — a park on weekends — and would prevent the city from turning the middle section of the Great Highway into a full time park.
I’ve always said the future of the coast should be a park. It’s good for the environment, it benefits local businesses, and creates joy for generations of people.
Why was Prop K on the ballot?
Many of the leaders behind the recall put Prop I on a citywide ballot in 2022 to kill a future park. After it lost, they spent the next 18 months filing multiple appeals to kill a weekend-only park.
When I took office, I inherited a contentious debate about the future of the Great Highway. I met with advocates on both sides because they are all my constituents. Given the competing passions, I believed in the power of democracy to resolve the issue.
For people who were frustrated by the ballot measure process and felt unheard, I can always do a better job listening to everyone’s concerns.
Prior to Prop K, supervisors had already voted to close the southern section to Daly City because of erosion. And a majority would have closed the middle section to create a park.
The deadline for ballot measures was well known and the issue had been publicly debated for four years. I invited all 11 supervisors to put Prop K on the ballot — and seven supported it. That is the opposite of “sneaking” a measure onto the ballot, as recall leaders claim.
Prop K allowed for more voter clarity — and even more public debate. Campaigns were able to form on both sides in the most open, democratic, and transparent process possible. Every voter had an equal say in what to do with our coast, which belongs to everyone.
The reality of Sunset Dunes
SFGate reported that local businesses are seeing increases in sales and customers since Sunset Dunes opened. A Chronicle analysis and a new SFMTA study both reported minimal traffic impact. Fears of gridlock never materialized.
I’m taking traffic hot spots seriously and asked SFMTA to continue to address the intersection at Lincoln and 41st Avenue/Chain of Lakes. We’ve also made it easier to go around Golden Gate Park with dual left and right turn lanes at Lincoln and Great Highway, which remains open to cars 24/7 to connect the Sunset and Richmond neighborhoods.
Meanwhile, Sunset Dunes has become one of the most visited parks in San Francisco.
Debunking disinformation
Unfortunately, there is disinformation about my work circulating in Sunset Facebook groups, on Nextdoor, and on the Sunset Beacon website.
As the popularity of Sunset Dunes grows, some recall proponents have become more angry and vitriolic. I’m disappointed by the number of messages I’ve received filled with homophobia, denigration, and threats of violence.
I’d like to set the record straight:
The Sunset turning into Miami Beach?
I successfully protected the coast and the greenbelt along Sunset Boulevard from high rise development in zoning updates.
Didn’t help bring back 8th grade algebra?
Rex Ridgeway, a respected parent leader in the decade-long fight, says: “Thank you Joel, for all you did for SFUSD students when you took the lead to get algebra on the ballot. It made a huge and positive difference.”
Night market drama?
Last year, multiple recall leaders threatened to boycott the Sunset Night Market if I didn’t pull Prop K from the ballot. This year, they disparaged my role in creating the night market and used their leadership positions to spread falsehoods about merchants not wanting it to return. Yet the vast majority of Irving Street merchants support the night market and I’m supporting their efforts to bring back a community-led event.
Reject the recall
San Francisco has spent years stuck in dysfunction — but today, we have a mayor who is leading with purpose and a Board of Supervisors that’s willing to get things done. I’ve been one of the supervisors focused on delivering results.
We’re building momentum to help families, improve safety, and support small businesses through effective governance. Let’s protect this progress by rejecting an unnecessary recall.