Alcaraz resigns as D4 supervisor after 7 days amid pet store allegations
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Supervisor Isabella "Beya" Alcaraz resigned Thursday. Photo: Courtesy of the mayor's office
Newly appointed District 4 Supervisor Isabella "Beya" Alcaraz resigned Thursday night after a series of revelations regarding management of her former pet store.
Why it matters: Her brief tenure as supervisor fueled questions over why Mayor Daniel Lurie tapped a political neophyte for the position.
Driving the news: Lurie said in a statement Thursday that Alcaraz resigned after recognizing that "the Sunset deserves a supervisor who is fully focused on serving the community."
- "We also agreed that the new information about her conduct while running her small business, which I learned today, would be a significant distraction from that work," Lurie said.
What they're saying: "I believe that my community deserves someone who will work 24/7 to advocate for us," Alcaraz said in a statement. "And I understand that today's news stories would distract me from doing that."
Catch up quick: The 29-year-old was sworn in a week ago to replace Joel Engardio, who was ousted after a recall election in September.
- Lurie said at the ceremony that he first met her in September at a Sunset night market, where she told him "she wanted to serve and represent the community she grew up in."
- He had touted her record and work ethic as a small business owner, but the appointment resulted in a ripple of surprise across the city. Some residents criticized her lack of experience in politics.
The latest: Mission Local published text messages Thursday that it said were from when Alacraz ran The Animal Connection pet store and raised fresh concerns about Lurie's vetting.
- Footage of mice feces and trash littering the space had already circulated after the new owner came forward with allegations about the unsanitary conditions she faced when she assumed ownership.
- The San Francisco Chronicle also reported financial records showing that Alcaraz was often late on rent payments and operated at a loss from 2020 to 2023.
The other side: Alcaraz defended the way she ran the business before her resignation Thursday night, per the Chronicle.
- Lurie had told reporters Wednesday that he was "absolutely" aware of the Animal Connection's financial struggles before he appointed Alcaraz, but equated it to "every small business in this city" during COVID.
What's next: Lurie said his team would "get back to work" finding the right person to lead the Sunset, whose constituents are currently divided over the Engardio recall, Sunset Dunes park and new upzoning plans.
Go deeper: SF records detail ex-Supervisor Alcaraz's poop-strewn pet shop