Isabella Alcaraz Appointed New Supervisor for San Francisco’s Sunset District

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie has appointed Isabella “Beya” Alcaraz as the new District 4 supervisor following the recall of Joel Engardio in September. Alcaraz, 29, is a lifelong resident of the Sunset District and becomes the first Filipina-American to serve on the city’s Board of Supervisors.

Lurie swore in Alcaraz on Thursday in front of the Ortega Branch Library, where she pledged to prioritize community input. “Too many of these decisions have been made without us from the top down,” Alcaraz said. “I want to hear your concerns and design community-informed solutions.”

The recall of Engardio centered on his support for turning a section of the Upper Great Highway into a beachside park, dubbed Sunset Dunes. Though the measure passed citywide in 2024, it was rejected by a majority of Sunset voters, many of whom felt overlooked by City Hall. The recall campaign, led in part by local residents and small business leaders, also tapped into broader frustrations about housing, transportation, and demographic shifts in the area.

Alcaraz was not a public figure during the recall but later approached the mayor to express her interest in the role. Prior to her appointment, she owned the Animal Connection, a local pet supply store she sold in 2025. She later taught art and music lessons for children. She has no prior political experience.

Her appointment fills a key opening for the mayor ahead of debate over his proposed Family Zoning Plan, which seeks to allow higher-density housing in traditionally low-rise neighborhoods like the Sunset. A source familiar with Alcaraz’s views said she supports building more housing but may propose amendments to the plan.

Her selection signs a shift toward a candidate with ties to both longtime residents and newer voices. Lurie described her as a bridge across the neighborhood’s generational and cultural divides. “She’s a bridge between small business owners, working families, and our city government,” he said.

Alcaraz has received early endorsements from local leaders including former Supervisor Katy Tang, Chinatown Merchants United chair Ed Siu, and several recall advocates. Siu said Alcaraz understands small business challenges and has credibility within the Chinese American community, which played a major role in the recall.

She will serve in the role until at least June 2026, when voters will choose a permanent representative in the next city election.

One of Alcaraz’s key tests will be the ongoing debate over the Great Highway. Some neighborhood groups want to keep Sunset Dunes as a car-free park. Others argue the closure has worsened traffic, despite San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency data showing no significant change in commute times. Alcaraz has not publicly stated how she voted on the recall or the park, but a source said she favored a prior compromise that restricted car access only on weekends. She may explore similar options.

Local responses to her appointment have been mixed but hopeful. Friends of Sunset Dunes urged her not to weaken protections for the park. President Lucas Lux warned against partially reopening the road, calling it a step backward after years of controversy.

Some residents see her background as a strength. Matt Lopez, a Sunset native who runs two bars in the area, said he opposed the park originally but now visits regularly with his family. He supports having someone from the neighborhood step into office. “Everything she said in her speech really resonated with me,” Lopez said. “The Sunset was a forgotten neighborhood for a really long time.”

Alcaraz said her top priority is uniting the community after a divisive election. “In the spirit of healing and moving forward, I will work to bring all the residents of this district together to secure the future of the Sunset,” she said.