Opinion: Being “nice” isn’t enough — the Sunset deserves real leadership

Joel Engardio held zero town hall meetings before pushing through a permanent closure of the Upper Great Highway that affects almost 20,000 daily commuters. I am one of them.

We keep hearing the same excuse: “Joel Engardio is a nice person.” But let’s be honest, being nice is not a qualification for public office. San Francisco is full of nice people. That alone doesn’t make someone a strong leader, and it certainly doesn’t make them the right person to represent District 4, our Sunset community.

What really matters is whether our elected official is doing the job: listening to residents, standing up for our needs, and fighting for the future of the Sunset. That means working with the existing community, not making decisions behind closed doors with political insiders. It means being open, honest, and accountable, not hiding behind press releases, short reels, or carefully staged photo ops.

Leadership takes more than charm. It requires courage, integrity, and a deep commitment to the people who actually live here.

Joel Engardio has failed to meet that standard

He’s accepted nearly $1 million in campaign help from millionaires and billionaires, most of whom don’t live anywhere near the Sunset. These outside donors are flooding our election with money to drown out the voices of working-class families and longtime residents. Follow the money, and it’s clear: Joel isn’t fighting for us, he’s protecting those who fund him.

In contrast, the Recall Engardio campaign is grassroots. It’s powered by Sunset neighbors and volunteers who gave up evenings, weekends, and time with loved ones because they care about this community.

With little more than determination and hard work, we knocked on doors, had conversations, and collected 10,523 valid signatures — over 600 more than required — with a 95.8% validation rate, one of the highest in city history. That’s people power, not political power.

Now, District 4 voters finally have a say. A special election is set for September 16, 2025, with ballots arriving around August 18. This is our moment to hold Joel Engardio accountable and choose leadership that actually reflects the values of our district.

This recall is not about personality. It’s about performance. Joel hasn’t listened, hasn’t taken responsibility, and hasn’t earned our trust. It’s time we vote to hold him accountable. Honesty matters.

Please vote yes on A - Recall Joel Engardio.

We need your help. Volunteer. Donate. Spread the word. The only way we can compete with big-money donors is by standing together — neighbor to neighbor.

The Sunset deserves more than “nice.” We deserve a leader who works for us, someone who works with District 4, not against it.

*Selena Chu is a Sunset District resident and San Francisco Unified School District parent