On September 16, Joel Engardio, the supervisor representing San Francisco’s District 4, was removed from office in a special recall election. Chinese immigrant voters made up a significant portion of the electorate. Engardio became the fifth public official to be recalled in San Francisco over the past four years. The vote not only reflected dissatisfaction with his policies but also highlighted the growing political influence of Chinese immigrant communities.
The recall was triggered by Engardio’s support for permanently closing a section of the Great Highway to motor vehicles and converting it into a pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly area. The city’s project, known as “Sunset Dunes” or “Great Highway Open Space”, aims to improve safety, expand recreational space, and provide more amenities for walking and cycling.
While the project had 55% support citywide, opposition was strong in District 4, where roughly 64% of voters opposed it and 36% supported Engardio remaining in office. Critics cited increased commuting difficulties, disrupted traffic, and changes to daily travel habits as primary concerns.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors, the city’s legislative body, has 11 members, each representing a district. District 4, covering the Sunset District and Inner Richmond, is one of the city’s most heavily Asian areas. The district has about 78,549 residents, 53% of whom are Asian—well above the citywide 34%—and Chinese residents constitute roughly 53% of the Asian population.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, about 40% of registered Chinese American voters participated in the election, with the participation among Chinese immigrant voters reaching 46%, higher than the 36% tournout of U.S.-born Chinese voters, while the overall turnout in District 4 was close to 33%.
Many Chinese immigrant voters said they wanted to use their votes to express concerns about local issues such as transportation, housing, and public safety. This trend demonstrates the growing political awareness and mobilization of Chinese immigrants, which may enable them to exert greater influence in future elections.
During his tenure, Engardio promoted several public initiatives, including Sunset Dunes, and advocated for urban improvements. However, he had campaigned on maintaining existing traffic arrangements, and his later support for the Great Highway closure left some residents feeling betrayed. Large campaign donations from tech industry donors outside the district also fueled perceptions that he favored outside interests.
After the recall, Engardio said he respected the voters’ decision and would continue supporting the Sunset Dunes project, citing its long-term environmental and social benefits for the community.
