Recall petition certified for San Francisco Supervisor Joel Engardio; election in September
San Francisco election officials on Thursday announced a recall petition has been certified against Supervisor Joel Engardio, setting the stage for a recall election in September.
According to Department of Elections director John Arntz, the campaign seeking to oust the District 4 supervisor submitted 10,523 valid signatures, which is above the recall threshold of 9,911 signatures. Arntz said officials will proceed with preparations for the special election, which is set for Sep. 16.
The special election will only be open to residents in District 4, which covers several westside neighborhoods including the Sunset, Outer Sunset, Parkside, Lakeshore and Merced Manor.
"We didn't ask for this fight - but we won't back down from it either. He betrayed the Westside. Now the people get their say," organizers of the Recall Engardio campaign said on social media Thursday.
Engardio, who was elected in 2022, faced a growing backlash among residents over his support of Proposition K, which closed a two-mile stretch of the upper Great Highway to cars to create a park. While the measure passed citywide with 54% of the vote in last November's election, much of the opposition was centered in the Sunset and Richmond districts.
The roadway permanently closed to automobiles on March 14.
Selena Chu, who helped gather signatures for the recall, told CBS News Bay Area that she doesn't feel Engardio is listening to his constituents.
"He was elected to be the District 4 Supervisor, but instead of coming to us, he went for the whole city, but I think it needs to start here," Chu said.
Chu also said the closure of the Great Highway has impacted her everyday life.
"With the closure, it does add 15-30 minutes extra, per morning, to my commute," explained Chu. "Some people on social media ask, 'Why don't you just wake up earlier?' accusing me of being lazy. It's not a matter of that."
On Thursday, Engardio posted a statement on X (formerly Twitter) about the upcoming recall election.
"I'm confident Sunset voters will reject this recall. I hear from many residents who appreciate having a supervisor who shows up and delivers. I will campaign hard every day and continue to show up for District 4 so I can serve my community for my full term," the supervisor said.
Engardio also addressed the backlash over Prop. K, but defended his support of the plan to turn the Great Highway into a park.
"I also understand the concerns people have, which is why I'm talking to residents and working with SFMTA to further improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety. I know some people felt left out of the process that led to putting the park on the ballot. I'm committed to doing more outreach, having more conversations, and making sure everyone's voice is part of the work moving forward," he went on to say.
Engardio also said that a recall would not reopen the road to motor vehicles.
"After much public debate, the voters elected to open the park. Attempting to recall me in response will do nothing to reopen the Great Highway," he added.
District 4 is home to about 80,000 residents.
