Mayor Appoints Alan Wong to District 4 Supervisor Position

Mayor Daniel Lurie has appointed Alan Wong as the new representative for District 4 on the Board of Supervisors, following a brief and turbulent tenure by his previous appointee, Beya Alcaraz. Wong’s selection was announced on Sunday and comes after Alcaraz resigned just a week into her term due to allegations regarding her former business practices and potential compliance issues with wage and tax regulations.

In a statement, the Mayor’s Office emphasized that Wong’s appointment was the result of “careful vetting and extensive community engagement.” Lurie acknowledged the need for a more rigorous selection process after the earlier appointment misstep, which he took responsibility for. Wong is set to be sworn in on Monday, potentially in time for a significant Board of Supervisors vote on a proposed zoning plan aimed at increasing housing densities across northern and western neighborhoods in San Francisco.

Lurie highlighted Wong’s strong connection to the community, stating, “From the very beginning, I’ve been clear about the kind of Supervisor District 4 needs: someone who lives and breathes the district, and someone who can build bridges within it.” He added, “With Alan Wong as the supervisor, District 4 will have that voice.”

Wong, who has a solid background in local policy and community service, expressed his commitment to the district he has called home for most of his life. “I’m stepping up to be District 4 supervisor because I believe the Sunset, and San Francisco, can thrive again,” he remarked. His goals include restoring trust in local government, enhancing neighborhood safety, supporting working families, and improving access to city services.

Aged 38, Wong previously served as a legislative aide to former District 4 Supervisor Gordon Mar and as the policy director at the Children’s Council of San Francisco. He is also an elected trustee of the City College of San Francisco, where he has championed free tuition initiatives and the preservation of Cantonese language classes.

Wong’s extensive credentials extend to military service as a first lieutenant in the Army National Guard, where he has served for over 16 years. He has also been involved with the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West for more than five years, focusing on community organizing.

The announcement of Wong’s appointment came after the Mayor’s Office publicly considered several candidates, revealing concerns about one individual’s voting history and another’s failure to file necessary tax documents. Wong’s selection is seen as a stabilizing choice for the district, especially given the upcoming election for the remainder of the term previously held by Joel Engardio, who was recalled in September 2023.

Frank Noto, co-founder of the community group Stop Crime SF, praised Wong’s qualifications, stating, “No one is more qualified than Alan. He has the requisite policy, political and community experience to serve as an exemplary member of the Board serving the Sunset.” Noto also highlighted Wong’s electoral appeal, noting that he garnered more votes in District 4 as a City College candidate than were cast for the recent recall election.

With the election for the remainder of Engardio’s term scheduled for June 2024, Wong will need to quickly establish his presence in the district, where several candidates have already declared their intent to run, including Natalie Gee, chief of staff to District 10 Supervisor Shamann Walton. Wong’s ability to connect with the community and address key issues will be critical as he steps into this pivotal role.