Editor:
Sept. 16, was another pivotal moment in San Francisco’s history: A recall succeeded yet again, this time, district supervisor Joel Engardio.
As hard as he tried, Engardio was clearly unable to change voters’ minds, pretending he had their best interests at heart. Election night’s results poured in: nearly 66% voted to oust him. Joel was toast.
In his concession speech, he briefly acknowledged his loss but it was far from an apology voters expected; no humble admission of a rift with his district. Instead, Engardio doubled down, repeating tired rhetoric. Get a copy of his speech here: [ https://engardio.com/blog/history ]
He framed the recall instead as a moment to celebrate his being on the “right side of history.” He highlighted the “success” of Sunset Dunes “park”, claiming again it benefits the environment, economy, and community, and dismisses concerns like traffic issues. He portrayed his recall as not diminishing the achievements of Sunset Dunes, instead suggesting the so-called park will soon be universally accepted.
Engardio claims he supported democracy by allowing public debate and a vote (as Prop. K, November, 2024) on the Upper Great Highway’s future, allegedly transparent and inclusive. He suggests his recall was driven by District 4 opposition to proposed housing density increases rather than the Sunset Dunes project itself, positioning himself as a progressive advocate for change in San Francisco. (Wasn’t he a “moderate Democrat?)
He contrasted a stagnant mindset (his voters) with a progressive vision that embraces change (him), even comparing Sunset Dunes to the Golden Gate Bridge as being a bold, initially controversial but ultimately iconic project. Boy was he wrong.
Psychologically, Engardio wrote his concession speech to cope with the emotional and professional damage of his recall by reframing it as a minor setback in a larger narrative of progress. The optimistic tone and focus on Sunset Dunes’ success serve to protect his self-esteem. By deflecting blame, and emphasizing his legacy, he seeks validation from any supporters left as a way to reconcile his ruined self-image against the reality of a landslide of voter rejection. His speech was less about convincing the public and more about helping himself.
A recall is a public humiliation. A recall makes the targeted public official feel powerless, as it is an outcome driven by external forces (i.e., the voters). Engardio, in writing his concession speech, tried to reclaim control by crafting a narrative on his terms that aligns with his values and vision, rather than merely accepting defeat.
Ultimately, Joel Engardio’s speech is completely opposite of the recall’s true results because it falsely presents a narrative of his success, of progress, and of democratic triumph, while the recall actually signifies his voter rejection of his leadership and policies. His pie-in-the-sky portrayal of the Upper Great Highway “converted” to Sunset Dunes park ignores the significant public discontent he created that led to his landslide recall in the first place.
Richie Greenberg
Categories: letter to the editor
Richmond Review/Sunset Beacon 
All true. This is who Joel is. He is a superb salesman. Fortunately, the good citizens of D4 saw who he really is, and got rid of him. There will always be marks for people like Joel. I know because I was one. He misjudged the intelligence of his constituents, and has paid the price. This was a beautiful example of the power of the Voter. There will always be morally challenged politicians. We can fight back and win.
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Joel needs to be investigated. Fraud is fraud. Start at the Sunshine Ordinance.
Of course City Attorney Chiu, the London Breed appointee, is deliberately asleep at that particular wheel – investigating corruption in the open. What a family.
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D4 voters have spoken. Engardio was a disaster and his so called achievements were more exaggeration. D4 and D1 residents should be the only group to vote to have the great highway reopened.
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I spoke with Joel before he was elected supervisor and even asked him about the Great Highway and he supported the compromise which I felt was the best solution to address the transportation needs of 20,000 drivers everyday while providing the open space for the 4500 park goers on the weekend. It was a win-win and I was happy to support Joel because I felt he had the best interest of his constituents in mind.
It was all very shocking how he flipped this and tripled down on the park and a complete shutdown of critical roadway despite what his constituents have told him. He’s not on the right side of history and we’re not stuck in amber – but he is. As we now look at higher density housing, which I completely support, the bike coalition, tech billionaires, and politicians wage war against auto drivers for residents of both District 1 and District 4.
One can see how Taraval street has shut down lanes making driving harder, Judah as well, and now the Great Highway- I’m an engineer by trade – can Joel answer me how you build higher density housing with less roads to move more people? And MUNI is struggling through budget cuts and service reductions with homeowners facing yet another special assessment. And even with MUNI, service is not good enough to move large amounts of people if we build 10-30 story buildings everywhere, we need subways and underground systems.
Just a reminder, it took less than 5 years to build the subway for Hong Kong and Shanghai and we took 5 years for the Taraval safety improvement project which reduced lanes and wasn’t even underground. Maybe MUNI pedestrian safety is better now but ask the MTA to provide auto accidents which I think have 4X since. Closing lanes and asking everybody to take a bike or even take the bus is not always possible for the residents in the community.
Joel needs to take his thinking and mindset out of amber – and think and act with empathy and solutions that include the majority of the people that voted for him. But I’m not worried about him – i’m sure he’ll be working for a biking coalition or tech billionaire soon.
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He already WAS working for the tech Billionaires! He’s 100% a fraud.
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