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Joel Engardio
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Joel P. Engardio[2] (born September 17, 1972) is an American politician, writer, and public-safety advocate who represented District 4 on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors from 2023 until he was recalled in 2025.[3][4]

Key Information

Early life and education

[edit]

Engardio is a native of Saginaw, Michigan, where he attended Arthur Hill High School.[5]

Engardio graduated with a bachelor's in journalism from Michigan State University and a Master of Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.[5][6]

Media career

[edit]

Engardio is a former journalist.[7] He moved to San Francisco in 1998 to cover Tom Ammiano's mayoral campaign during the 1999 San Francisco mayoral election.[6]

Engardio and Tom Shepard directed the documentary Knocking about Jehovah's Witnesses.[2]

San Francisco Board of Supervisors

[edit]

Engardio ran failed campaigns for District 7 supervisor in 2012, 2016, and 2020.[7]

Engardio ran for District 4 supervisor after his neighborhood was redistricted from District 7. He was elected in November 2022, unseating incumbent Gordon Mar by a margin of 50.9% to 49.1%.[7][8] Engardio is the first gay supervisor elected to represent the city's westside.[9] Engardo was also the first candidate to defeat an incumbent supervisor elected in their own right, since district elections returned to San Francisco in 2000.[10]

In 2023, Engardio organized the first night market in the Sunset District along with other community groups. The first event drew over an estimated 10,000 visitors.[11][12] This spurred similar events in other neighborhoods, such as Chinatown and The Castro.[13]

Engardio was among five supervisors who placed Proposition K, which proposed closing two miles of the Great Highway in the Sunset District to cars and turning it into a public park, onto the November 5, 2024 election.[14][15] The proposition passed with nearly 55%. A recall campaign was subsequently launched against Engardio, who represents the neighborhood.[16][17] The new Sunset Dunes park opened in April 2025.[18]

Engardio authored Proposition G: Offering Algebra 1 to Eighth Graders.[19] This proposition would encourage the San Francisco Unified School District to allow eighth graders to take Algebra I, in place of needing to wait until ninth grade.[19]

Recall election

[edit]

In November 2024, a group of voters in the Sunset District launched a campaign to recall Engardio over his support of Proposition K, which was a ballot measure to close part of the Great Highway and turn it into a park.[20][21][22] A recall petition was filed with the San Francisco Department of Elections in December 2024. While Proposition K passed with 55% of San Francisco residents voting in support, 64% of his constituents in District 4 voted against it.[20] According to The Economist, "opposition to the new park is part of a larger battle locals are waging against change" and the residents want "more meetings, more input, more veto points for new development."[22]

On May 20, 2025, the San Francisco Department of Elections confirmed that it had received 10,985 valid signatures, which is more than the 9,911 signatures that were required to put the recall on the ballot (20% of the voters in District 4).[23][24] On September 16, 2025, Engardio was overwhelmingly recalled with 62.7% of the vote in favor of his removal, becoming the first supervisor to be successfully recalled by voters in the board's 169-year history.[25][26] Mayor Daniel Lurie named Beya Alcaraz as Engardio's successor on November 6, 2025.[27]

Political stances

[edit]

Engardio is categorized as a moderate.[7][22] Engardio supported the 2022 recall of San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin and the 2022 recall of three San Francisco Board of Education commissioners.[28]

Personal life

[edit]

When he was elected to supervisor, Engardio lived in the Lakeshore neighborhood of San Francisco.[7] He was raised a Jehovah's Witness, but he does not identify with the religion.[2]

Engardio is gay.[2] He has been married to Lionel Hsu since 2015.[29]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Joel Engardio

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Joel Engardio is an American and former who served as a member of the for District 4 from January 2023 to October 2025. A Democrat representing the Sunset District on 's west side, Engardio was the first openly supervisor elected from that area and focused his tenure on public safety enhancements, middle-income housing development, and educational reforms including the successful Proposition G in 2024, which restored algebra instruction in middle schools with 80% voter approval. His service ended following a on September 16, 2025, where 64.6% of District 4 voters approved his removal—the first such ouster of a San Francisco supervisor in city history—primarily due to widespread district opposition to his support for Proposition K, which closed the Great Highway to cars and converted portions into the Sunset Dunes coastal park.

Early life and education

Upbringing and family background

Joel Engardio was born on September 17, 1972, in . He grew up in a working-class household tied to the region's automobile industry, with early exposure to labor unions including the . Engardio was raised by his single mother, Mary Kaye, a house cleaner with limited financial resources and formal education. His biological father departed before his birth, leaving his mother to raise him alone after she was six months pregnant. Mary Kaye, a Jehovah's Witness, instilled in her son values of resourcefulness and perseverance despite economic hardships. His maternal grandmother, Eunice Engardio, worked as a piano teacher and represented another generation of modest means in the family. Engardio has credited his mother's example of self-reliance for shaping his approach to problem-solving from a young age. Mary Kaye passed away in October 2025 at age 76 following a diagnosis.

Academic and early influences

Engardio was raised in , a working-class automobile factory town shaped by the (UAW) labor union, where he attended public schools and learned early lessons in resourcefulness amid economic constraints. His first job was in a , reflecting the modest circumstances of his upbringing. He earned a in and from , attending on a full that underscored his academic merit despite limited family resources. Later, Engardio obtained a in public administration from the of Government, supported by a scholarship from the Shorenstein on Media, and , which recognized his early professional work in journalism and advocacy. Key early influences stemmed from the women in his family, whom he credits with instilling resilience and practical adaptability. His great-grandmother, an immigrant from who raised eight children alone for years before reuniting with her husband in America and never learned English despite living to 95, exemplified endurance through hardship. His grandmother, widowed at 48 with only a ninth-grade , entered the in the 1960s and demonstrated self-reliance in raising her family. Most directly, his mother, a with a high school who cleaned houses for a living, brought him to work sites as makeshift daycare and prioritized providing stability despite her father's abandonment during her pregnancy with Engardio. These figures shaped his emphasis on making the most of limited means, a value he traces to feeling loved and supported in his youth despite adversities like an absent father.

Professional career

Media and communications roles

Engardio began his career in upon moving to in 1998, contributing reports, essays, and documentaries to outlets including the , , and over more than two decades. His work earned multiple awards, including recognition from the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and at for contributions in journalism and advocacy. As a union member of NABET-CWA while affiliated with ABC News and the Pacific Media Workers Guild as a , Engardio focused on investigative and explanatory reporting. In media production, Engardio produced and directed the documentary Knocking, which examined First Amendment rights through ' experiences with door-to-door evangelism and legal challenges. He also hosted SF Politics 101, a series demystifying San Francisco's political processes through narratives and visuals. Transitioning into communications, Engardio worked for tech startups and firms, handling messaging and outreach strategies. At nonprofits such as Out & Equal and the (ACLU), he served as a advocate, authoring commentary on issues including LGBTQ rights, , immigrants' protections, and voters' rights at the ACLU's national office. His ACLU efforts involved establishing and defending constitutional protections, building on his journalistic foundation to influence policy discourse.

Pre-political advocacy

Prior to entering electoral politics, Engardio worked as a advocate at the national office of the (ACLU), focusing on the establishment and protection of constitutional rights, including free speech and LGBTQ equality. His ACLU efforts involved campaigns to safeguard individual liberties against government overreach, such as defending protest rights and challenging discriminatory policies. Engardio's advocacy extended to public health issues, where he volunteered with Stanford University's Asian Liver Center to raise awareness about screening and vaccination in Asian American communities, addressing disparities in disease prevention and treatment access. These roles complemented his communications background, earning him recognition from Harvard's Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and for contributions bridging and advocacy on civil rights matters. Engardio's pre-political work emphasized empirical approaches to policy challenges, prioritizing evidence-based protections over ideological mandates.

Political involvement and election

Democratic Party engagement

Engardio entered formal Democratic Party politics through an appointment to the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee (DCCC) in July 2015, representing the city's westside neighborhoods. The DCCC serves as the governing body for local Democratic activities, including candidate endorsements and party platform development. In June 2016, Engardio sought election to retain his DCCC seat but finished 19th out of 21 candidates with 3% of the vote, ending his tenure on the committee. Despite the electoral loss, he maintained involvement in Democratic organizations, serving on the boards of the United Democratic Club and the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club, both affiliated with San Francisco's local party infrastructure. Engardio's party engagement emphasized westside representation and advocacy for accountability within Democratic governance, aligning with his broader pre-political work in public safety and neighborhood issues. These roles positioned him as a participant in the party's operations prior to his supervisory candidacy, though San Francisco's nonpartisan elections limited overt partisan campaigning.

2022 Board of Supervisors campaign

Joel Engardio announced his candidacy for the District 4 seat, representing the Sunset District, in the lead-up to the November 8, 2022, election. As a longtime resident and advocate for enhanced public safety measures, Engardio positioned his campaign around themes of government accountability and restoring basic services amid rising concerns over , , and street conditions in the city. He challenged incumbent supervisor Gordon Mar, a more progressive figure, in a race that highlighted tensions between moderate and progressive factions within the local Democratic Party. The election utilized ranked-choice voting, with Engardio facing Mar and several lesser-known challengers including Stephen Martin and Riley Orton-Tuck. Engardio's platform emphasized practical reforms such as increasing police staffing, enforcing quality-of-life laws, and improving maintenance, including support for converting portions of the Great Highway into an oceanside . Campaign finance records show Engardio raised significant funds, subject to audits confirming compliance with disclosure requirements under the California Political Reform Act. In the final ranked-choice tabulation, Engardio secured victory over Mar, receiving approximately 53% of the vote after redistributions, marking the first electoral defeat of a sitting supervisor since the restoration of district elections in 2000. This outcome reflected voter frustration with incumbent performance and a shift toward candidates promising tougher stances on urban disorder, aligning with contemporaneous recalls like that of .

Board of Supervisors tenure (2022–2025)

Public safety and policing initiatives

During his tenure on the from 2022 to 2025, Joel Engardio prioritized increasing police resources amid a severe staffing shortage at the (SFPD), which had fallen short by approximately 500 officers for the city's size. He consistently voted to fully fund SFPD and supported supplemental budget allocations for police overtime, including a $27.6 million proposal in February 2023 to address immediate shortages caused by officer attrition, emphasizing that such funding was essential to keep existing personnel on the streets while recruitment efforts lagged. In March 2023, Engardio co-sponsored legislation with Supervisors , , and to advance Mayor London Breed's overtime funding package, arguing it prevented further erosion of patrol capacity in understaffed districts like Taraval, which had seen its officer count drop from 130 to 65 in three years. Engardio co-sponsored a resolution offering hiring bonuses to attract and retain officers, aligning San Francisco's incentives with other cities to rebuild SFPD ranks, and advocated for recruiting "reform-minded" officers through enhanced training and diversity initiatives while maintaining high accountability standards. In November 2023, he joined Supervisors Ahsha Safai, , and in sponsoring an ordinance amending the Administrative Code to require the SFPD Chief to implement a foot and bike patrol strategy, aimed at increasing visible policing in neighborhoods to deter and improve . He opposed the proposed Police Staffing Charter Amendment for the March 2024 ballot, criticizing it as an "aspirational" measure lacking concrete funding mechanisms, such as dedicated allocations or reliable revenue sources, and arguing it failed to address urgent needs like hiring 911 operators or sheriff's deputies alongside officers. Engardio supported complementary non-police measures, including community-based , services, and addiction treatment to reduce reliance on incarceration, while insisting on prosecuting serious crimes and repeat offenders, including dealers, to balance reform with public safety. In May 2025, he endorsed Mayor Daniel Lurie's executive directive targeting the staffing crisis by promoting recruitment among younger demographics and reducing unsustainable overtime dependence.

Homelessness and urban policy efforts

Engardio emphasized increasing supply as a foundational approach to reducing , arguing that San Francisco's restrictive planning code exacerbated the crisis by limiting of affordable units for working families, often termed ". On April 18, 2023, he co-introduced Mayor London Breed's "Housing For All" legislation with Supervisor , which amended the planning code to expedite approvals for smaller multifamily projects, eliminate discretionary reviews for certain developments, and prioritize housing near transit to boost overall supply without relying solely on permanent . This effort aligned with his campaign advocacy for new housing in District 4, including support for an affordable project in the Sunset despite local opposition, reflecting a view that insufficient perpetuated street . In addressing immediate encampments and vehicular homelessness, Engardio pushed for stricter enforcement tied to shelter offers. He blogged on , 2023, about a persistent tent on Sunset Boulevard, noting a federal court clarification allowing removals when individuals refuse available shelter, thereby distinguishing voluntary from involuntary under Eighth Amendment constraints. On August 10, 2023, he engaged Outer Sunset residents frustrated by unchecked tents and prolonged RV parking, advocating for consistent application of laws requiring and temporary relocation offers before clearances. Engardio endorsed Daniel Lurie's June 10, 2025, proposal for citywide 24/7 two-hour restrictions on large vehicles, coupled with housing pathways for RV dwellers, stating RVs could not serve as a permanent solution. The approved related expansions on July 18, 2025, to tighten RV rules while funding interim housing. Engardio proposed innovative shelter uses, including a June 29, 2023, pitch to convert parking lots into a tiny home village for hundreds, leveraging underused for rapid deployment despite logistical challenges like site preparation and community buy-in. He backed Lurie's "Breaking the Cycle" initiative unveiled March 18, 2025, which aimed to overhaul behavioral health and responses by centralizing services, enforcing treatment for severe mental illness and , and measuring outcomes to end cycles of and government inefficiency—quoting that San Franciscans deserved results beyond the city's annual $646 million expenditure yielding limited reductions in street populations. Engardio stressed root causes, advocating preventive measures like expanded to avert evictions—claiming such services could assist 100 times more families per dollar than —and early intervention via specialized courts for crises, as in his 2015 support for Behavioral Health Court successes in stabilizing individuals pre-violence. These positions critiqued systemic failures in allocating funds toward ineffective models, prioritizing accountability and empirical outcomes over unchecked spending.

Transportation and infrastructure decisions

Engardio served on the San Francisco County Transportation Authority from January 2023 until his recall in September 2025, contributing to decisions on transportation funding, including allocations for road maintenance, transit expansions, and regional mobility projects. He also held appointments to the Mobility Management Agency and the , Highway and Transportation District, influencing infrastructure planning for island development and cross-bay transit linkages. In line with these roles, Engardio prioritized investments in public transit infrastructure to facilitate housing development near transit corridors, arguing that robust Muni service was essential for accommodating without increasing . He endorsed expanding a citywide network of protected bike lanes to enhance amid rising e-bike usage, while calling for innovations like shuttle vans on low-ridership routes in areas such as the outer Sunset District to optimize SFMTA operations. Engardio advocated for targeted infrastructure upgrades, including potential subway extensions along Geary Boulevard and from West Portal to Parkmerced, alongside bus rapid transit lanes, emphasizing cost controls to prevent project overruns. These efforts aligned with his broader push for street safety measures on high-volume roads like 19th Avenue and Lincoln Way, aimed at curbing speeding and improving multimodal access.

Legislative record and collaborations

During his tenure on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors from January 2023 to September 2025, Joel Engardio sponsored 29 pieces of legislation, including 9 ordinances that enacted policy changes, with a focus on District 4-specific issues such as adjustments and local support. This output was lower than that of some peers, such as Supervisor Connie Chan, who sponsored 129 pieces resulting in 34 ordinances. Key ordinances included two measures in 2023-2024 facilitating zoning changes for the redevelopment of the United Irish Cultural Center on 45th Avenue, aimed at preserving and upgrading the facility. In 2023, he passed an ordinance redefining a bulb-out curb area in front of the White Cap bar on Taraval Street as a to enable outdoor seating, and another designating the Parkside Branch as a . Citywide efforts encompassed fee waivers for business signage, pedestrian lighting, and awnings to reduce costs for small merchants. From 2023 to 2025, Engardio sponsored three ordinances and one resolution simplifying the process for building, maintaining, and selling in-law units in single-family homes, particularly benefiting District 4 homeowners. In July 2025, he secured passage of a law allowing homeowners to construct backyard accessory dwelling units without a variance if meeting specific conditions, streamlining approvals. Engardio co-introduced the Housing for All legislation with Mayor London Breed on April 18, 2023, targeting barriers to new housing development through streamlined permitting and reduced regulatory hurdles. In May 2025, he advanced permitting reforms as part of Mayor Daniel Lurie's broader package to expedite approvals for small businesses and homeowners. He also sponsored Proposition G, a ballot measure passed in March 2024 affirming algebra instruction in 8th grade, though it was largely symbolic as the school district had already committed to the policy. Collaborations included partnerships with community organizations to launch the Sunset Night Market in 2023, an event promoting local commerce in District 4 that ran annually until funding cuts led to its 2025 cancellation. Engardio worked with the United Irish Cultural Center on redevelopment zoning, earning praise from center executive director Liam Reidy for effective advocacy. On public safety, he initiated hearings on law enforcement data dashboards and advocated for community ambassadors in Outer Sunset commercial areas, coordinating with city departments. Additionally, he joined four other supervisors to advance Proposition K in 2024, placing the Great Highway closure to vehicular traffic on the ballot for voter decision.

Controversies and recall

Great Highway closure backlash

The Great Highway, a two-mile coastal roadway in San Francisco's Outer Sunset District parallel to Ocean Beach, had been partially closed to vehicular traffic on weekends since a pilot program began during the in 2020, aiming to create recreational space for cyclists, pedestrians, and runners. In November 2022, Proposition K passed with 54% voter approval citywide, authorizing the permanent closure of the southbound section from Lincoln Way to Skyline Boulevard to cars, converting it into an off-road recreational path funded by a $25 million state grant; Joel Engardio, representing District 4 which encompasses the area, supported the measure, arguing it enhanced public access to the beach and promoted environmental benefits like reduced from traffic. Local residents, particularly in the Asian American-heavy Sunset District, mounted significant opposition, citing increased traffic congestion on residential streets like the Great Highway's parallel JFK Drive and 46th Avenue, diminished parking availability, and safety risks for emergency vehicles and beachgoers during high winds or tides that erode the unstable roadbed. Critics, including drivers reliant on the route for quick beach access, described the closure as an elitist policy favoring urbanist recreation over practical mobility needs of families, seniors, and commuters, with petitions garnering thousands of signatures to reopen the road full-time. Engardio faced direct protests at community meetings, where constituents voiced frustration over unheeded input, such as a 2023 survey showing majority district preference for reopening; he maintained the decision reflected broader voter will via Prop K, though district turnout had been low at 32%. The controversy intensified in 2024-2025 as the renamed Sunset Dunes park opened in April 2025, amplifying grievances over diverted traffic volumes—estimated at 10,000-15,000 vehicles daily pre-closure—straining neighborhood without adequate mitigation. Recall organizers, framing Engardio's stance as dismissive of working-class concerns, collected over 2,000 signatures by early 2025 to qualify the effort, fueled by campaigns and rallies highlighting personal impacts like longer commutes and restricted elder access. Engardio defended the policy post-recall as a "right side of history" choice for long-term coastal preservation, despite admitting short-term disruptions, underscoring tensions between progressive environmental goals and local utilitarian demands.

2025 recall election and ouster

A special for District 4 Joel Engardio was held on September 16, 2025, as Proposition A on the ballot. The measure sought to remove Engardio from office amid voter dissatisfaction primarily over his support for closing the Upper Great Highway to vehicular traffic, converting it into parkland known as Sunset Dunes. Early returns showed strong support for the recall, with more than 60% of District 4 voters approving Proposition A. Engardio conceded the election shortly after 9 p.m. on September 16, acknowledging the defeat and stating, "We are on the right side of history." This outcome marked the first time in history that a member was successfully recalled from office. Engardio's ouster made him the fifth elected city official removed via recall or resignation under pressure in the preceding four years. Following the recall's approval, Engardio's tenure ended, and Mayor was tasked with appointing an interim successor for District 4, which encompasses the Sunset neighborhood. In the weeks after the election, Engardio attended his final meetings, casting votes on outstanding matters and reflecting on his time in office, while reaffirming his stance on the highway closure decision despite the backlash.

Political positions

Core philosophy and critiques of progressivism

Joel Engardio identifies as a moderate Democrat who upholds liberal principles such as universal healthcare access and while prioritizing practical governance and common-sense solutions to urban challenges. In his view, San Francisco's political landscape requires focusing on essentials like safer streets, improved public schools, increased housing supply, and support for small businesses, rather than ideological pursuits that overlook basic functionality. He advocates for an innovative approach to city administration, likening it to a startup model that encourages bold changes over preserving the status quo. Engardio critiques San Francisco's self-proclaimed progressives for resisting necessary reforms despite the city's progressive reputation, arguing that this manifests in adherence to outdated or ineffective policies. For instance, he has highlighted the decade-long prohibition on 8th-grade algebra in public schools as a well-intentioned but ultimately failed measure that stifled educational progress until its reversal through Proposition G in March 2024, which passed with 80% voter approval. He contends that progressive resistance to housing development has exacerbated the affordability crisis by limiting supply, thereby undermining middle-class opportunities and economic vitality. Engardio's philosophy emphasizes that San Francisco cannot fulfill its potential as "the most progressive city that fears change," urging a balance where progressive ideals align with pragmatic outcomes. This includes defending the tech sector's contributions—representing about 10% of the workforce—against , such as protests against company shuttles, and opposing movements like "defund the police" in favor of bolstering recruitment and effectiveness. He maintains that such critiques stem from a commitment to over ideological purity, aiming to restore competence in city operations.

Specific policy stances

Engardio advocates for prosecuting serious crimes and repeat offenders while maintaining police accountability measures, emphasizing that criminal justice reform must coexist with public safety to prioritize victims. He supports arresting and prosecuting fentanyl dealers to dismantle open-air drug markets, alongside expanding treatment options including harm reduction and, in severe cases, compelled treatment for addiction and mental illness. To address SFPD staffing shortages, he calls for recruiting reform-minded officers through targeted outreach to diverse communities and rigorous training programs, while investing in mental health services to alleviate police burdens. On housing, Engardio promotes constructing "missing middle" developments, such as mid-rise buildings with at least two bedrooms, along transit corridors to accommodate families, seniors, and middle-income residents without encroaching on single-family zones. He endorses converting underutilized office buildings into residential units, allowing homeowners to subdivide properties into duplexes or fourplexes, and streamlining permitting processes by removing barriers. Engardio also backs expanding rent control by shifting the base year from 1979 to 1994 and supports transit-oriented to mitigate and climate impacts. Regarding homelessness, he favors accountable interventions like broadening Behavioral Health Court and enforcing Laura’s Law for involuntary treatment. In , Engardio prioritizes competitive salaries and living wages for teachers and support staff to improve retention and performance. He pushes for neighborhood-based assignments to cut commuting times, foster diversity, and expand programs, alongside restoring merit-based admissions at selective s like Lowell High. Engardio views parents as essential partners, advocating for offerings like 8th-grade algebra and advanced classes, and he led efforts to recall the 2022 board for prioritizing over student outcomes during disruptions. For transportation, he seeks full funding and performance accountability for Muni and systems, including proposals for new subway extensions such as from West Portal to Daly City . On the , Engardio emphasizes regulatory streamlining to bolster small es and job growth, critiquing San Francisco's high burdens that exceed other cities and hinder recovery. Engardio supports environmental initiatives balancing recreation and preservation, such as converting sections of the Great Highway into parks like Sunset Dunes to enhance coastal access and ecological benefits, though this stance drew significant local opposition over reduced vehicle access. He opposes inefficient expenditures, like replanting extinct native species in urban parks, favoring practical urban green space management.

Personal life

Family and community ties

Engardio was raised by a single mother in , following his father's abandonment during her pregnancy. He relocated to in 1998 after earning a degree in history and journalism from and a master's in from . In 2015, Engardio married Lionel Hsu, a software born in who grew up in poverty and now works in . The couple has no children and maintains a residence as homeowners in San Francisco's Sunset District, near Stern Grove, since 2014. Prior to his political career, Engardio volunteered with Stanford University's Asian Liver Center to promote hepatitis B awareness within the Asian American community, reflecting his ties to initiatives in diverse neighborhoods. As a Sunset resident for over a decade in a district encompassing approximately 80,000 people west of 19th Avenue, he engaged in local public-safety advocacy, emphasizing safer streets and community well-being.

Post-political activities

Following his ouster in the September 16, 2025, , Engardio stated intentions to take a break from , citing the absence of time amid the campaign and prior duties. He planned a trip to with his husband, Lionel, to visit family, framing it as a period to reset before considering new contributions. Engardio vowed to advocate for preserving the Sunset Dunes park, the permanent closure of the Upper Great Highway he supported via Proposition K in 2022, declaring, "I’ll fight like hell to save this park" against potential reversal efforts. He also expressed ongoing commitment to broader issues, including opposition to former President Trump, upholding San Francisco's progressive values on —drawing from his prior ACLU work—and promoting housing development for future generations, though without specifying a formal role or organization.

References

  1. https://sfbos.org/supervisor-engardio-district-4
  2. https://engardio.com/
  3. https://engardio.com/about-joel
  4. https://engardio.com/blog/algebra
  5. https://sfelections.org/results/20250916w/index.html
  6. https://sfstandard.com/2025/09/16/san-francisco-joel-engardio-recall-election-results/
  7. https://www.legistorm.com/person/bio/482730/Joel_P_Engardio.html
  8. https://x.com/JoelEngardio/status/1979362935786082698
  9. https://obits.mlive.com/us/obituaries/saginaw/name/eunice-engardio-obituary?id=12580652
  10. https://richmondsunsetnews.com/2024/06/01/city-hall-joel-engardio-14/
  11. https://www.joelengardio.com/about-joel
  12. https://engardio.com/blog/lessons-from-my-three-mothers
  13. https://engardio.com/knocking
  14. https://engardio.com/101
  15. https://www.aclu.org/bio/joel-engardio
  16. https://engardio.com/aclu
  17. https://www.linkedin.com/in/engardio
  18. https://ballotpedia.org/Joel_Engardio
  19. https://engardio.com/politics
  20. https://growsf.org/people/joel-engardio/
  21. https://engardio.com/2022-website-parks-platform
  22. https://sfethics.org/ethics/2024/06/campaign-finance-audit-report-engardio-for-district-4-supervisor-2022.html
  23. https://www.sfelections.org/results/20221108/data/20221201/d4/d4_detail.pdf
  24. https://engardio.com/blog/state-of-policing-sf
  25. https://www.sf.gov/news--mayor-london-breed-proposes-27-million-funding-address-police-staffing-shortages
  26. https://www.sf.gov/news--city-leaders-push-public-safety-solutions
  27. https://sfstandard.com/2023/03/03/political-turbulence-ahead-for-breeds-27m-police-overtime-bill/
  28. https://engardio.com/public-safety
  29. https://sfgov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6366462&GUID=6A708B7E-2B6E-47A9-AC50-38EC2331AA36
  30. https://engardio.com/blog/police-staffing-charter-explained
  31. https://www.sf.gov/news-mayor-lurie-takes-major-step-forward-for-san-francisco-safety-announces-rebuilding-the-ranks-roadmap-to-fully-staff-police-department-sheriffs-office
  32. https://www.sf.gov/news--mayor-breed-introduces-housing-all-legislation-remove-barriers-new-housing
  33. https://thefrisc.com/push-for-homeless-shelters-services-in-every-sf-district-runs-into-politics/
  34. https://engardio.com/blog/sunset-tent
  35. https://www.facebook.com/jengardio/posts/i-met-with-some-frustrated-residents-in-the-outer-sunset-recently-they-wanted-to/695449615737543/
  36. https://x.com/JoelEngardio/status/1837212202182320318
  37. https://www.sf.gov/news-mayor-lurie-takes-action-to-address-rv-and-vehicular-homelessness-restore-public-spaces-in-san-francisco
  38. https://localnewsmatters.org/2025/07/18/sf-supervisors-back-luries-plan-to-address-homelessness-by-tightening-rv-restrictions/
  39. https://sfstandard.com/2023/06/29/a-tiny-home-village-at-the-cow-palace-sf-supervisors-plan-has-hurdles/
  40. https://www.sf.gov/news-mayor-lurie-unveils-breaking-the-cycle-vision-for-tackling-san-franciscos-homelessness-and-behavioral-health-crisis
  41. https://engardio.com/homelessness-and-mental-illness
  42. https://engardio.com/blog/category/Homelessness
  43. https://richmondsunsetnews.com/2024/05/11/city-hall-joel-engardio-13/
  44. https://www.sfcta.org/
  45. https://engardio.com/transportation
  46. https://missionlocal.org/2025/08/sf-sunset-joel-engardio-recall-legislative-record/
  47. https://www.facebook.com/jengardio/posts/-big-news-my-new-law-that-passed-yesterday-lets-san-francisco-homeowners-build-a/1114069420542225/
  48. https://www.reddit.com/r/sanfrancisco/comments/1krbojh/new_legislation_from_supervisor_joel_engardio/
  49. https://sfstandard.com/2025/10/07/joel-engardio-exit-interview-recall-sunset-dunes/
  50. https://sfstandard.com/2025/09/15/san-francisco-supervisor-joel-engardio-recall-great-highway/
  51. https://www.kqed.org/news/12055309/sfs-newest-park-could-cost-this-supervisor-his-job
  52. https://engardio.com/parks-environment
  53. https://www.sfpublicpress.org/voters-recall-supervisor-engardio-as-asian-americans-lead-revolt-over-road-closure/
  54. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/17/san-francisco-joel-engardio-coastal-park
  55. https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/08/14/supervisor-engardio-recall-great-highway
  56. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/17/us/joel-engardio-san-francisco.html
  57. https://sfstandard.com/2025/05/13/engardio-recall-leader-resign-great-highway/
  58. https://engardio.com/blog/history
  59. https://www.sfchronicle.com/projects/2025/engardio-sf-recall-election-results/
  60. https://missionlocal.org/2025/09/sf-joel-engardio-recall-election-results/
  61. https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/politics/supervisor-joel-engardio-reflects-on-recall-time-in-office/article_8b61b65d-bf22-48cb-ad12-65ad5c08caf9.html
  62. https://engardio.com/blog/2014/06/22/a-moderate-revolution
  63. https://richmondsunsetnews.com/2023/05/07/city-hall-joel-engardio-4/
  64. https://engardio.com/housing
  65. https://engardio.com/education
  66. https://engardio.com/small-business
  67. https://engardio.com/blog/propk
  68. https://engardio.com/blog/fathers
  69. https://missionlocal.org/2025/10/joel-engardio-exit-interview/
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