Joel Engardio, Supervisor of District 4 in San Francisco, must be recalled. By placing Proposition K on the city-wide ballot, Engardio betrayed the residents, business owners, and community groups of his own district. Engardio also demonstrates he is for class warfare and division. He is not the Supervisor anybody needs.
Proposition K seeks to make permanent the closure of a two-mile stretch of the Great Highway along the west side of San Francisco. This highway is used by approximately 20,000 vehicles every weekday, and its closure would significantly impact traffic flow throughout the Richmond, Sunset, and Parkside neighborhoods, where Engardio’s constituents live. The closure would result in increased traffic congestion, longer commutes, and a direct hit to the quality of life for residents who rely on this vital route.
While the Great Highway has been closed on weekends as part of a pilot program, the passage of Proposition K would make this closure permanent. This decision disproportionately affects west side residents—exactly the people Engardio was elected to serve.
However, it’s important to note that the demographics of the voters supporting Prop K reveal a troubling disconnect. The people most affected by this decision are those who live in District 4, but a large portion of the support for the proposition came from other areas of the city. This underscores a fundamental problem: Engardio’s decision was not based on the needs of his district, but on broader city-wide interests that do not prioritize the day-to-day concerns of District 4 residents.
Joel Engardio has failed to represent the best interests of his constituents. His actions warrant a recall, as he has demonstrated that he is out of touch with the people he was elected to serve.
Recall Joel Engardio: A Betrayal of West Side Residents
Below is a map showing the vote results on Proposition K, which sought to close a two-mile stretch of the Great Highway along the west side of San Francisco. Voters who opposed the closure are marked in purple, while those who supported it are in green.
The map clearly shows that most west side residents, especially those in the northwest (deep purple), opposed the closure because it would create major inconveniences for their daily commutes (20,000+). The Great Highway is a key route for thousands of west side commuters traveling south, and its closure would exacerbate traffic congestion, particularly in neighborhoods like the Richmond, Sunset, and Parkside.
However, the voters who overwhelmingly supported the closure—marked in green—live on the east side of the city, an area that would not bear the brunt of the increased traffic. Many east side residents voted in favor of Prop K because they would not experience the daily disruptions to their commutes.
Crafty Joel Engardio Lied To His Constituents
This raises a crucial question: Why did west side Supervisor Joel Engardio place this measure on a citywide ballot in the first place? Engardio knew that the majority of voters in San Francisco, particularly those who live farther from the Great Highway, would likely support the idea of a new park—without fully considering the real-world consequences for the people most directly affected.
By pushing this measure onto a citywide ballot, Engardio ignored the voices of the people he was elected to represent, knowing that those who would be most impacted by the closure would not be the ones deciding the outcome.
The west side of San Francisco, which includes neighborhoods like the Richmond and Sunset, is more affordable compared to the wealthier, downtown-adjacent areas of the city. This means that residents on the west side tend to have lower incomes and are more reliant on practical infrastructure, like the Great Highway, for their daily needs.
The decision to close a major commuter route, driven by residents from more affluent areas, highlights the growing disparity between the wealthier, downtown parts of the city and the more diverse, working-class neighborhoods in the west. The majority of residents on the west side are also Asian American, a community that has been consistently underrepresented in city-wide decision-making.
Joel Engardio’s actions have shown a clear disregard for the needs and voices of his own constituents, especially those who will bear the brunt of this decision. His failure to represent the interests of District 4 residents makes it clear: Engardio must be recalled. He has not acted in the best interests of the people who entrusted him with their votes, and it’s time for his leadership to be held accountable.
Joel Engardio’s District 4 Consists Of The Following Neighborhoods
San Francisco’s District 4 is located on the city’s western side and primarily encompasses the following neighborhoods:
- Richmond District (including Inner and Outer Richmond)
- Sunset District (including Inner and Outer Sunset)
- Parkside
- Golden Gate Park (on the eastern edge of the Sunset District)
- Forest Hill (on the northern edge of the Richmond District)
Who Is Joel Engardio Supporting Instead?
The clear result of the Prop K voting map reveals a troubling truth: Joel Engardio is prioritizing the interests of wealthier northern and east side San Francisco residents over the people he was elected to represent. The majority of residents in the northern neighborhood, such as Pacific Heights, Marina, Cow Hollow, and Presidio Heights are white.
This vote also demonstrates how certain issues can be strategically placed on a citywide ballot to secure a favorable outcome for a particular agenda. If Prop K’s passage is any indication, future initiatives, such as proposals to close roads like Marina Boulevard or the Embarcadero, could be put on the ballot—resulting in the west side facing the same kind of citywide disregard.
Poorer Minorities Getting Run Over By The Wealthy Majority
What’s even more concerning is the broader message this vote sends. White residents on the west side now understand what it feels like to be a minority and have the will of the majority imposed on them. This is a familiar reality for many marginalized communities, who frequently experience decisions that disproportionately impact them.
For Joel Engardio to overlook this dynamic is not just politically tone-deaf—it’s a betrayal of his own constituents. His failure to recognize the unfairness of this situation is astonishing, and it underscores why he must be recalled.
Worse, if Joel Engardio supports the wealthy majority bullying poorer minorities. Obviously, Joel had a strong feeling that by putting Prop K on the city-wide ballot, most people would vote for a park. But I think we can all agree that class warfare and racism is wrong.
The people being affected by the closure of the Great Highway should be the ones who get to decide.
District 4 Residents Are Not Alone In Their Discontent
Major mayoral candidates have also opposed Proposition K. Daniel Lurie, who ran for mayor, publicly opposed the closure of the Great Highway, as did former Supervisor Mark Farrell.
The only mayoral candidate who supported Prop K was London Breed, but her political career has faced significant scrutiny, in part due to accusations of government corruption. Now London Breed is gone, and soon to be Joel Engardio.
District 4 residents should recall Joel Engardio. Sure, having another park on the most park-dense side of San Francisco is nice. The homeowners right across the Great Highway see their property values go up. However, the cost is too great for the majority of residents on the west side. Going against the wishes of Engardio’s neighborhood residents is bad leadership.
Summary Of Why Joel Engardio Must Be Recalled
- Failed to properly represent his constituency.
- Misled his constituents with false statements.
- Actively opposes the interests of Asian Americans, who form the majority of his district.
- Is against working class west side residents who don’t have the luxury of working from home
- Endorses the use of wealth and questionable political tactics to undermine the will of the people.
- Continues to gaslight District 4 residents, falsely claiming his actions align with their desires.
- Is not longer trusted by his constituency given he serves as a puppet for outside interest groups.
Whatever your feelings about Joel Engardio, be objective, and look at the Proposition K voter map again. The vast majority of District 4 residents disapproved the closure, yet Joel Engardio doesn’t care and wanted it closed anyway.