Exit interview: Supervisor Engardio reflects on recall and decision to stand by Prop. K

Mission Local is conducting exit interviews with elected officials departing after the November 5, 2024 election, including figures like London Breed and Aaron Peskin. They recently interviewed Supervisor Joel Engardio a week before his departure from City Hall, noting his office was being cleared out, with personal items packed away, and Engardio had just officiated nine weddings prior to the interview.

Engardio made history as the first supervisor in San Francisco to be successfully recalled, following his sponsorship of Proposition K, which aimed to close part of the Great Highway to cars and convert it into a park called Sunset Dunes. Although Proposition K passed citywide, it was unpopular in his own district, the Sunset, leading to his recall by a 63-37 vote. The recall occurred despite Engardio's campaign raising $829,099 to retain his position, compared to $257,090 spent by recall supporters, and he has stated that the outcome was worth it for the park's establishment.

In a two-hour interview, Engardio reflected on his transition from a journalist covering City Hall to an elected official and discussed the evolution of political moderates in the city. When asked about the mayor's comment that Westside residents feel government actions are imposed on them, Engardio emphasized the need for resolution through democracy, pointing out that recall proponents had previously used citywide voting on the Great Highway issue, setting a precedent for broader public input.