San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie appointed Alan Wong as the City Council member for District Four (Sunset District) on December 1, 2025. This marks the second appointment by Lurie for the district within a month.
The inauguration ceremony took place at Abraham Lincoln High School, where Wong attended, with over a hundred officials, community leaders, and invited guests in attendance.
On November 6, Lurie appointed 29-year-old Isabella “Beya” Alcaraz as the district’s council member, replacing Joel Engardio, who was recalled in a special election.
During his opening speech, Lurie expressed, “In my conversations with residents of the Sunset and Parkside districts, I have clearly received a message: this district needs a council member who can voice strong and steady opinions on the most important issues. District Four needs a representative who understands the community and can ensure that the Sunset District is prioritized. With Alan Wong as the council member, District Four can have just that voice.”
Alan Wong, a native of the Sunset District and a child of Hong Kong immigrants, has long been involved in the community, accumulating extensive public service experience in the military, government, education, and non-profit organizations.
Lurie remarked, “In all these roles, Alan Wong has shown that he is good at listening, possesses leadership qualities, and most importantly, has the ability to unite people. These qualities are exactly what is needed in the Sunset District today.”
In his inaugural address, Wong pledged, “As the newly appointed Council Member for District Four, I have a responsibility to bridge the divides in the community. … Before making major decisions, I will carefully listen to the opinions of the voters.”
The Sunset District has been sharply divided in recent years over two major issues – the K proposal passed in the previous election to close the Great Highway and transform it into Sunset Dunes Park, as well as the Family Zoning Plan for high-density housing.
Former Council Member Joel Engardio, who advocated for these policies, was recalled by district voters in a special election in September.
Wong stated that he voted against the K proposal in the previous year’s referendum and supports a compromise solution.
He pledged, “I will meet with everyone, including those who support road closures and those who hope to restore a compromise solution, to develop a new plan that is accepted and trusted by the public.”
Wong expressed his support for the Family Zoning Plan and promised to immediately work with the community, the mayor, and the city council to address people’s concerns and consider further legislation to refine the plan.
He emphasized, “To allow future generations of Sunset District families to live here as I have, we need to provide more housing options for the community. If we do not propose our own solutions, the state government will establish zoning plans for us, and we will lose local control, which is unacceptable.”
Born and raised in the Sunset District to Hong Kong immigrant parents, Alan Wong attended several public schools in San Francisco. After completing courses at City College of San Francisco, the 19-year-old Wong obtained a bachelor’s degree from UC San Diego and later a master’s degree in Public Affairs from the University of San Francisco.
He served in the California National Guard for over 15 years as a military commander, spent five years on the City College of San Francisco Board of Trustees, including serving as board chair, and worked as a legislative aide for former District Four Council Member Gordon Mar.
During his tenure on the City College of San Francisco Board, he actively promoted and maintained the “Free City College” policy, advocated for the retention of Cantonese language courses, and collaborated with former California Assemblymember Phil Ting to establish the Chinese Lunar New Year as a holiday for California community colleges.
Local political, educational, and Asian community leaders have expressed their support for this appointment.
Margaret Graf, founder of the organization Senior Power that serves elderly and disabled people in the district, stated in her remarks, “In my interactions with Council Member Wong in his previous role as a legislative aide, he has always kept his promises. I believe that keeping promises is a virtue that politicians must have.”
“But most importantly, I especially hope that Alan Wong can unite us! We have experienced too much anger, too many divisions,” Graf addressed Wong, “Please bring us together! Please unite all of us to make the Sunset District even better!”
Joanne Desmond from the Theatre Union, who supported Wong in his run for the City College of San Francisco Board, mentioned to the press, “One thing I see in him is that he comes from this community, understands the needs of this community, understands the challenges facing this city, and he is young, promising, and carries all our expectations of politicians.”
Community activist Bayard Fong, in an interview with the press, said, “He is not someone who easily loses his temper. He respects people and knows how to communicate respectfully with others. I hope he can bring these qualities to the city council and the entire city.”
In concluding his speech, Alan Wong stated, “I urge my neighbors to transcend partisan and ideological divides, support me in listening, learning, and open the next chapter of my service career!”
Prior to Wong’s appointment, Isabella Alcaraz was appointed to the same position on November 6 by Lurie. She was hailed as the first Filipina councilwoman in San Francisco. However, shortly after taking office, she was revealed to have sold her pet store in May, which was found in a state of disarray, and had reportedly paid wages “under the table,” sparking controversy. She ultimately resigned on the evening of November 13.
Lurie stated in a declaration on the evening of November 13 that after discussing with Alcaraz, they both agreed that the current situation would significantly interfere with her focus on serving the residents of the Sunset District, and hence accepted her resignation.
Lurie noted that he appointed Alcaraz because he saw her deep affection for the Sunset District and her sincere desire to bridge the community’s divides.