Why I’m Supporting Joel Engardio for Supervisor
Despite San Francisco being a one-party town, it has one of the most ideologically divisive political scenes in the country. You will find two major factions, with factions within themselves, and very little compromise or action. This chaotic political scene makes many people wary of our local government. We need a champion for everyday San Franciscans who will bring common sense and even-minded leadership to City Hall. We have that leader in Joel Engardio.
Joel started his career in journalism, where he was an investigative reporter rooting out corruption and waste in government. Then, he felt motivated to become a part of the action, working with the ACLU to uncover anti-gay bias in jobs across the country. He got involved in SF politics to make sure our government was working for us. As Supervisor, Joel will bring this same kind of moral clarity to city government.
As a youth advocate in SF local politics, I know that we need elected officials who will listen to the concerns and anxieties of today’s youth, and Joel has proven to do so. As a member of his campaign, my views, thoughts, and opinions are as valued as anyone else’s. He has worked to make San Francisco safer for children as Vice President of Stop Crime SF, and as a gay man, he has worked to make a better, more accepting world for LGBT+ kids.
As San Francisco moves into an unknown future, we need a leader who will look at our budget and prioritize services that help average people. Joel Engardio will improve public safety, prioritize building housing on all market levels, bring compassion to our mental health crisis, and balance our budget during this time of major deficit.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the history-making aspect of this campaign. In 2008, District 7 had some of the highest anti-gay marriage votes in the city, virtually tied between pro and anti-same-sex marriage. Now, in 2020, Joel Engardio is running as a proud, married, openly gay candidate. He will be an advocate that young queer kids and teens — like me — need. He already has the most support of anyone running among neighborhood advocates and community leaders. And he will be an approachable leader to all District 7 residents.
We need Joel Engardio on the Board of Supervisors. He will be an approachable, pragmatic leader for our city, and he’ll fight to make sure our government works for us. I’m proud to say that Joel Engardio has my full support and endorsement for District 7 Supervisor because he is the best candidate to stand up for San Francisco’s future generations.
Ewan Barker Plummer is a Youth Activist and Organizer in San Francisco. You can learn more about him and who he supports on Twitter and Instagram.
