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Beya Alcaraz, who resigned as San Francisco’s District 4 supervisor after one week in office, in her official portrait released by the City and County of San Francisco.
San Francisco’s District 4 supervisor Beya Alcaraz resigns after one week in office as scrutiny over her former pet store’s inspection history intensifies.
Beya Alcaraz, the newly appointed supervisor for San Francisco’s District 4, resigned Thursday night after roughly one week in office. Her departure followed intensified scrutiny over her former ownership of a Sunset District pet store, including questions stemming from inspection records and employee messages that surfaced in local media.
Alcaraz, 29, had been appointed by Mayor Daniel Lurie on November 6 to replace recalled Supervisor Joel Engardio. Community groups initially noted the milestone, as Alcaraz was described by several outlets as the first Filipina American to serve on the Board of Supervisors. The mayor presented her as a community-rooted resident of the Sunset with experience as a small business owner and a background in arts and education.
Inspection trail casts long shadow
The controversy centered on The Animal Connection, a pet supply store Alcaraz operated until selling the business earlier this year. Public inspection reports obtained by Axios and confirmed through city health and animal welfare agencies documented multiple sanitation violations between 2023 and 2025. Inspectors cited rat feces, spilled seed and food debris, and persistent odor problems during several visits.
The store’s new owner, Julia Baran, who took over in May, told the San Francisco Chronicle that she encountered severe odor and rodent activity upon assuming control of the business. Baran provided reporters with copies of inspection notices and additional documentation detailing the store’s condition at handover.
ABC7 News also published text messages appearing to show Alcaraz discussing paying certain workers outside standard payroll procedures and describing personal outings as business expenses. Financial information reported by the Chronicle indicated the store had operated at a loss for several years and had fallen behind on rent in certain periods.
Alcaraz has publicly acknowledged the difficulties she faced running the business. In an interview with ABC7 last week, she said she regretted the conditions documented by inspectors and noted that many small businesses struggle to remain compliant and financially stable in San Francisco.
A resignation shaped by rapid scrutiny
Coverage of the inspection findings and text messages accelerated within days of her appointment, prompting criticism of the mayor’s vetting process. Several civic groups argued that the controversy was overshadowing District 4’s concerns about public safety, small business recovery and coastal access.
Mayor Lurie said in a statement that he met with Alcaraz on Thursday and that they mutually agreed the unfolding attention on her former business risked distracting from the Sunset’s needs. He thanked her for her willingness to serve and said he respected her decision to step down. Lurie also stated that he regretted not doing more to support her success.
Her resignation took effect immediately.
Mixed reactions from a divided district
Reactions in District 4 reflected a spectrum of disappointment and frustration. Some residents said they were discouraged that the city’s first Filipina American appointee to the Board had such a brief tenure. Others argued that the situation demonstrated how intensely the past conduct of public officials will be examined, particularly for appointees stepping into high-visibility positions.
Jamie Hughes, lead organizer of the recall that removed Engardio from office, said the episode underscored the need for deeper review and broader community consultation in selecting the next supervisor.
Mayor begins search for a successor
Mayor Lurie must now appoint a replacement to serve the remainder of the term, although his office has not provided a specific timeline for the selection. District 4 encompasses much of the Sunset neighborhood, which has faced ongoing debates over housing pressures, commercial corridor revitalization and safety concerns.
The Animal Connection continues to operate under Baran’s ownership. City health and animal welfare agencies maintain routine oversight of businesses within their jurisdiction, and there are no public indications of pending enforcement actions beyond previously documented findings.
A broader reckoning on representation and readiness
Alcaraz’s abrupt resignation has prompted conversations among Filipino American community leaders about the balance between representation and readiness for public office. Advocates note that historic firsts carry symbolic importance, yet public officials are expected to withstand rigorous scrutiny of their professional and business histories.
Alcaraz has not announced her next steps or whether she plans to remain engaged in civic work following her departure from the Board.