Mayor Grapples With Fallout After Controversial Sunset Appointment

At 6 p.m. Friday in the mayor’s office, nearly 24 hours had passed since a political decision created swift backlash in the Sunset District.

Mayor London Breed had appointed Joel Engardio to represent District 4 on the Board of Supervisors, filling the vacancy left by Gordon Mar following his term limit. The decision reignited tensions in a politically divided San Francisco neighborhood and drew criticism from progressive leaders who saw the move as a snub to residents who had recently voted Mar out in favor of Engardio.

Engardio, a moderate and former journalist, narrowly won his supervisorial seat in 2022. By placing him back on the board after he lost his seat during redistricting, Breed bypassed several lesser-known local candidates and drew renewed scrutiny toward her appointment process. Opponents say Engardio’s selection undermines the city’s efforts to respect district representation and local input.

Breed defended the appointment, citing Engardio’s prior experience and familiarity with the district’s ongoing issues, including public safety and housing. She emphasized the urgency of having a seasoned supervisor ready to address concerns without delay.

Engardio said he was eager to return and focus on making the westside safer and cleaner. He emphasized his commitment to small business development and enforcement of street-level crime.

Critics, including progressive Supervisor Connie Chan, argued that the pick lacked community engagement. They pointed to the absence of public input and questioned whether Engardio was the best reflection of Sunset voters today, especially following his previous district’s dissolution.

Uncertainty around redistricted boundaries and thin margins in past elections have complicated the narrative. Sunset voters remain split, and few citywide appointments stir as much debate as those tied to supervisor seats, where neighborhood politics often reflect broader ideological divides.

The move adds to an ongoing pattern in Breed’s mayoralty, where appointments have tilted moderate in an effort to balance the city’s shifting political lines. It also raises questions about how much authority mayors should have in filling local seats after term expirations.

As Engardio returns to the board, attention now turns to how his policies match the district’s changing priorities. The Sunset has been at the center of debates over public transit reliability, housing construction, and retail vacancy. What happens next may help determine whether Breed’s calculated gamble will increase stability in District 4 or continue to deepen political fault lines.