Engardio Recall Qualifies

The recall of Supervisor Joel Engardio has officially qualified, with the San Francisco Department of Elections confirming that the campaign submitted enough valid signatures. The recall election is now scheduled for September 16, 2025.

The Facts

The San Francisco Department of Elections certified that 10,523 valid signatures were submitted—surpassing the 9,911 required—triggering a recall election for Supervisor Joel Engardio. The vote is scheduled for September 16, 2025. The recall campaign centers on Engardio’s support for Prop K, the 2022 ballot measure that permanently closed a two-mile stretch of the Upper Great Highway to car traffic. While the measure passed citywide with 54% of the vote, District 4 (which includes the Sunset) rejected it.

The Context

The recall of Joel Engardio is the latest chapter in San Francisco’s long-running battle over the Great Highway—and over who gets to decide neighborhood policy. In 2020, Mayor London Breed closed the Great Highway to cars during the pandemic, transforming it into a temporary park. Residents in the Sunset District, where the highway runs, were divided: some embraced the car-free space, while others decried increased traffic on neighborhood streets.

Under former Supervisor Gordon Mar, a compromise was reached after the COVID lockdown was lifted - the road would be open to cars during the week, but closed on weekends. This arrangement was intended to balance the needs of all residents, and we thought it was a pretty good compromise. But in 2024, Engardio co-sponsored Prop K, which permanently closed the Upper Great Highway to cars, converting it into the Sunset Dunes park. The measure passed citywide with 54% of the vote, but in Engardio's District 4, 64% of voters opposed it.

The GrowSF Take

As we predicted, the recall qualified for the ballot.

This serves as a reminder for all politicians - focus on delivering what your constituents want or you may lose your job. We hope that we can soon return to a functional, collaborative majority on the Board of Supervisors that delivers for San Franciscans, whoever ends up in the District 4 seat.