San Francisco Supervisor Joel Engardio Faces Recall Effort Over Alleged Lobbyist Meetings and Great Highway Controversy

San Francisco Supervisor Joel Engardio is the target of a burgeoning recall campaign, spearheaded by District 4 residents who allege a pattern of dishonesty and undue influence from special interest groups. The campaign, publicly articulated by Selena Chu on social media, centers on claims that Engardio met with lobbyists to discuss the Great Highway Park well before a controversial permanent closure plan was submitted without adequate community input. D4 residents are being urged to "Vote YES on A. Recall Engardio" by the September 16, 2025 ballot deadline.

According to Chu's social media post, a records request for Supervisor Engardio’s 2023 calendar revealed troubling findings. "Supervisor Engardio met with Lucas Lux and other lobbyists on January 25, 2023, to discuss the Great Highway Park, well before the Great Highway was permanently closed," Chu stated, highlighting the timing of these alleged meetings. This meeting reportedly occurred more than a year before the permanent closure plan was submitted in late June 2024 for the Sunset District, reportedly without any community town halls or input.

The Great Highway's fate has been a contentious issue in San Francisco, with a 1.5-mile section permanently closed to vehicular traffic, a decision that has sparked significant frustration among many Sunset District residents. Critics, including those backing the recall, argue that Supervisor Engardio's stance on the closure did not reflect the community's desire for broader access or a hybrid solution. The recall campaign website and local news reports confirm that Engardio's handling of the Great Highway decision is a primary catalyst for the effort.

Lucas Lux is a registered San Francisco lobbyist known to represent clients with interests in urban planning and public land use, including projects that could impact the Great Highway. While meetings between supervisors and lobbyists are a common part of the legislative process, the recall campaign alleges that Engardio has prioritized these interactions over the concerns of his constituents. "From day one, Supervisor Joel Engardio has been meeting with lobbyists and special interest groups, treating them as his real constituents," Chu asserted, accusing Engardio of having "lied to his volunteers, the Sunset community, and the D4 voters."

The recall effort emphasizes accountability, with organizers stating, "It’s time for San Francisco and the D4 voters to step it up and show that there are consequences when public servants manipulate the democratic process and lie their way into office." Supervisor Engardio's office has previously dismissed the recall as politically motivated, but the campaign continues to push for his removal, citing a perceived lack of transparency and responsiveness to District 4 residents.