I suppose my readers back in Iowa or elsewhere in the Midwest, Great Plains and Intermountain West — honestly, every one of you that lives east of San Francisco — are wondering why I am writing all these Substacks about the Recall of Joel Engardio.
There are two reasons. First, I live here now. While I will always be an Iowan at heart, I will also always write about the place that I call home. That is now San Francisco. There are those that somehow want me to apologize for that, but, well, they can want whatever they want because it is not going to happen. I am who I am. I know what I know. I live where I live. If none of that is of interest to you, move on.
If, however, you find interest in my thoughts and perspective, stay tuned. Some things are about to happen here. I think we’re in for a hell of a ride.
Second, everywhere I have ever gone I have done my dead level best to take on the malevolent forces in my community and our world. Henry David Thoreau said it like this:
For every thousand hacking at the leaves of evil, there is one, chopping at the root.
Henry David Thoreau
I seek to be the one.
The root of evil where I am — The Sunset District of San Francisco, California — is the men (yes, they are all men) who pour ungodly amounts of tech & crypto-bro money into opposing this little Recall Engardio Campaign. In all honesty, it is the root of all evil where you live as well.
It isn’t about philanthropy. It is about control. It is about gentrification.
When the likes of Peter Thiel, David Sacks or Jeremy Stoppelman throw down 6-digit sums to oppose this citizen-led Recall Engardio uprising in The Sunset. When Crypto-Baron Chris Larsen, CEO of Ripple, or tech-bro John Wolthius throw down cash in $50,000 or $100,000 increments to support San Francisco Supervisor Joel Engardio, well you know where the battle is and assuming you have not sold your soul to the soul-sucking YIMBY-Abundant-Gentrification Cult, you know where you stand.
As for me, I am standing right here in The Sunset. With all the friends that I have made, the people who have welcomed me into their community because I have shown them that I stand with them and not the Gentrification Cult. It is not every day that I get the opportunity to engage in hand-to-hand political combat with the tech & crypto-bros. But today is that day, and tomorrow and the next 60 days after that.
The barbarians are at the gate. But me and my Sunset friends and neighbors are not moving. Not. One. Damn. Inch.
Let’s take a look at Joel Engardio’s donor leaderboard:
1. Chris Larsen ($200,000) — Crypto-bro, CEO of Ripple
2. Jeremy Stoppelman ($175,000) — PayPal Mafia, Tech-bro, CEO of Yelp
3. John Wolthuis ($100,000) — Tech-bro, CEO of Twilio
How about a closer look at Joel Engardio’s most recent Crypto & Tech-bro contribution? (July 2, 2025 — Chris Larsen, $100,000):
And still, my friends and neighbors and I are not moving. Not. One. Damn. Inch.
[actual content from Supervisor Joel Engardio fundraising email that I received today, plus commentary from me in italics]
Hi
This is Joel’s campaign manager, Josh. I HATE political fundraising messages. Unfortunately, elections cost money. (*)
*You hate fundraising messages because you suck at creating them Josh…
*Josh, it isn’t a deadline, it’s a day on the calendar. Why do you all constantly just make shit up?
Here’s my promise to you: we won't send you hundreds of spammy fundraising emails or texts.
*But last week you sent me a fundraising email asking for money to pay for “snacks.” If you are so damned principled, why not just buy the snacks with the money from Chris? It is offensive to ask the people living in the Sunset for “snack” money. Read the room Josh, because obviously your boss cannot.
We’ve sent seven fundraising emails since January.
*Was one of them to Chris on July 1, 2025?
That’s because Joel and I both know that you have to respect your supporters, not bombard them with pleas for money.
*Funny how you and Joel do not understand that you also need to respect the voters. Remember back on May 22nd when 10,985 voters in your district submitted signatures on an official Recall Petition to the Department of Elections calling for a special election to recall and remove Joel from office? Good times!
If you don’t want to receive any more fundraising messages, respond to this email, and we will remove you from the list immediately. BUT, as messed up as the current state of money in politics is, we HAVE TO raise money to have a chance to win.
*No, Josh, you do not have to raise more money. You’ve raised $550,000 from your five top donors. You, Joel and your Crypto-Tech-bro donors are the ones creating the messed-up state of money in politics. Did you go to MAGA training camp to learn how to talk out of both sides of your mouth like that?
Know that when I ask you to donate today, we truly need it. Thank you for standing with us.
*No, Josh, you do not need the money. You’ve raised $550,000 from your five top donors. Stop asking for “snack” money, it really is offensive.
—Josh Raznick
Ad Committee’s Top Funders
1. Chris Larsen ($200,000)
2. Jeremy Stoppelman ($175,000)
3. John Wolthuis ($100,000)
Financial Disclosures are available at sfethics.org.
Joel, Chris, Jeremy, et. al. — you’re not buying your way out of this one. You’re not buying our democracy, not here in The Sunset. My new friends and I, we see you. We know what you’re trying to do. We’re mad as hell and no, we are definitely not going gently into that good night.
We’re coming for you. And we’re not going away. We have planted our flag here in The Sunset and we’re not giving up anything to you. We’re not moving.
Not. One. Damn. Inch.
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thanks and welcome to the city....
Keep speaking the truth to these guys but they won't listen. I also told Joel he is misreading the room.