Chair Nancy Tung announced that the Democratic County Central Committee of San Francisco would remain neutral on the recall of District 4 Supervisor Joel Engardio, a decision that sparked cheers from recall supporters.
A narrative emerged leading up to last month’s vote expressing that an opposition from the DCCC, the local Democratic Party branch, would convey to Asian American voters on the city’s west side that their concerns were being ignored.
Despite the majority of committee members being politically aligned with Engardio, the vote concluded in a tie. Eleven members opposed the recall, while another eleven chose to abstain, resulting in no direct support for Engardio.
Jamie Hughes, the recall supporters’ campaign manager, commented on the committee’s ties to Engardio’s campaign donors and expressed skepticism about them voting in favor of the supervisor.
The upcoming special election scheduled for September 16 is the city’s third recall initiative in recent years, following the successful ousting of three school board members and District Attorney Chesa Boudin in 2022 — efforts that also received backing from the Asian American community.
In contrast, Engardio is now supported by significant donors, leading some Asian American activists to question whether they can depend on these power players for support on critical issues.
Wilson Chu, a member of the Chinese American Democratic Club, noted the historical reliance of candidates on the Chinese American community for votes, while simultaneously neglecting their policy concerns. During public comment prior to the vote, he emphasized a sentiment of being unheard that has fueled calls for change.
Political experts believe the DCCC’s neutrality is unlikely to influence voters in the district, many of whom are not affiliated with either major party. Nevertheless, the Democrats’ inability to present a unified front could indicate that Asian American constituents are increasingly demanding representation in local government.
Chu shared that the DCCC’s decision resonated with him, acknowledging the complex nature of such a vote. He highlighted the internal debate within his political club, which was the first to endorse the recall despite a mix of support and concern about potential consequences from Engardio’s allies.
The discontent surrounding Engardio’s policies, such as his support for turning a beachside roadway into a park despite opposition from constituents, has intensified feelings of underrepresentation among some Asian American voters.
Jade Tu, a DCCC member and former chief of staff with TogetherSF, expressed her disappointment, stating, “I was a big supporter of Supervisor Engardio. So it really hurts that I’m even saying this, but the reality is that the district does not feel represented, and that’s why this recall is happening.”
The recall initiative, according to Jeremy Lee, president of the Rose Pak Democratic Club, is indicative of growing frustration with the political process and a desire for representatives who genuinely reflect the interests of their constituents.
While there is a vocal pro-recall faction, opinions within the Asian community are not monolithic. Some residents, like Lisa Xu, expressed support for Engardio, praising his commitment to cultural representation in American society as indicative of his community engagement.
Brian Quan, the treasurer of the anti-recall campaign, contended that there’s a lack of consensus regarding community sentiment, accusing some recall advocates of seeking political gain through public discourse.
Yet, pro-recall sentiments have gained traction in Chinese-speaking neighborhoods, with a mix of local influencers voicing their opinions across various platforms. Recently, Sing Tao Daily, a prominent Chinese-language newspaper, published an editorial in favor of the recall.
David Ho, a political strategist, acknowledged the impact of emotional sentiment over hard data in shaping voter opinions, emphasizing the importance of representation both ideologically and in terms of identity.
More than half of District 4’s population identifies as Asian, which includes neighborhoods such as the Sunset and Parkside, as well as portions of Golden Gate Park, according to 2023 census data.
Both campaigns have heavily invested in Chinese-language outreach to convey their messages to the district’s residents.
Ho noted that District 4 is relatively quiet compared to other parts of the city, displaying characteristics of suburban life. Residents tend to prefer strict law enforcement policies, merit-based education assessments, and support for car-centric infrastructure.
Prior to the shift in city elections from at-large to district-based representation in 2000, the District 4 supervisor seat historically represented moderate to conservative Chinese interests. Engardio, despite his alignment with many community values, was the first non-Chinese supervisor in two decades.
Currently, there is a noticeable lack of representation of these viewpoints in the city’s political landscape. Ho remarked that both currently serving ethnic Chinese supervisors diverge significantly from the political priorities of many Asian voters in the district.
Should Engardio be removed, the upcoming campaigns for his replacement are anticipated to showcase candidates who resonate with the politically moderate to conservative Asian American community.
image source from：sfpublicpress
