Another Successful Recall: San Francisco Ousts Joel Engardio

September 16th, 2025, was another pivotal moment in San Franciso’s history: A recall succeeded yet again, this time, removing a district supervisor mid-term, namely Joel Engardio.

The predominant justification for recall was his ignoring the wishes of his constituents as he spearheaded the effort to permanently close an all-important north-south thoroughfare (the Upper Great Highway) in his own district. That closure was by way of a contentious ballot measure last November (known as Proposition K), which restricted that highway from private cars, repurposing it as a pedestrian and bicycle-only park, shortly thereafter renamed “Sunset Dunes.”

Engardio betrayed residents and concocted a campaign benefiting outside-district big donors, YIMBYs and tech moguls.  And as hard as he tried, Engardio was clearly unable to change voters’ minds that he had their best interests at heart. A recall ensued.

Election night’s results poured in. Nearly 66% voted to oust him. Joel was toast.

In his concession speech, he acknowledged his loss but it was far from the apology voters expected. There was no humble admission of a rift with his district. Instead, he doubled down, repeating tired rhetoric. He recited talking points he was ultimately just recalled for. Get a copy of his speech here.

Acknowledging the recall passed, Engardio them framed it as a moment to “celebrate” his being on the “right side of history.” He highlighted the “success” of the new Sunset Dunes Park, claiming it benefits the environment, economy, and community, and dismisses concerns like resultant traffic issues. He portrayed the recall as not diminishing the achievements of Sunset Dunes, instead suggesting the project will soon be universally accepted.

Engardio claims to have supported democracy by allowing public debate and a vote (as Prop K, November, 2024) on the Upper Great Highway’s future, presenting the process as allegedly transparent and inclusive. He suggests his recall was driven by his district’s voters’ opposition to proposed housing density increases rather than the Sunset Dunes project itself. He positioned himself as a progressive advocate for change and growth in San Francisco. He contrasted a stagnant, preservationist mindset (voters) with a progressive, innovative vision that embraces change (him), comparing the new Sunset Dunes to the Golden Gate Bridge as 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 blow 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 and maintain a sense of purpose. By appealing to progressive values, deflecting blame, and emphasizing his legacy, he seeks validation from any supporters as a way to reconcile his self-image with the reality of a landslide of voter rejection. His speech is less about convincing the public and more about helping himself process the loss while trying to preserve his identity as a forward-thinking leader.

Engardio’s recall represents a significant personal and professional rejection, which can create cognitive dissonance—a state of psychological discomfort when actions or outcomes conflict with one’s beliefs or self-image. Engardio likely saw himself as a progressive leader who made the right decisions for the city of San Francisco’s future. The recall contradicts this self-perception.

A recall is a public humiliation, threatening Engardio’s self-esteem and reputation. To protect his ego, he engaged in self-serving bias, attributing the recall to external factors (e.g., resistance to housing density or fear of change) rather than his own personal shortcomings and unpopular decisions. By comparing the highway closure and Sunset Dunes project to the Golden Gate Bridge, he elevates his contributions to the city to an iconic level, reinforcing his self-worth and attempting to shape how others perceive his past tenure in city hall.

A recall can make one feel powerless, as it is an outcome driven by external forces (ie. voter sentiment). Engardio, in writing his concession speech, allowed him to reclaim control by crafting a narrative on his terms that aligns with his values and vision, rather than merely accepting defeat. He may be psychologically motivated to view the recall not as his failure but as part of a larger journey toward a progressive San Francisco.

Joel Engardio’s speech is opposite the recall’s true results because it presents a concocted narrative of his success, of progress, and of democratic triumph, while the recall itself signifies voter rejection of his leadership and policies. His optimistic portrayal of the Sunset Dunes project ignores the significant public discontent he created that led to his recall in the first place.