San Francisco Supervisor Resigns After Week in Office

A newly elected Democratic Party supervisor in San Francisco, described by the mayor as a “bridge builder” and “problem solver,” has resigned just a week after taking office. This decision came after allegations surfaced regarding unsatisfactory conditions at the pet store she previously owned.

Isabella ‘Beya’ Alcaraz, who is 29, stepped down from her role as the District 4 Supervisor at the behest of Mayor Daniel Lurie. Reports revealed that she had kept the remains of animals, including hundreds of rodents, in a freezer at her former store, Animal Connection, located in the Sunset District.

The situation was brought to light when Julia Baran, 26, who took over the store from Alcaraz, shared alarming images and videos with local media. Baran described the scene in the back room and freezer, stating, “I smell death,” after discovering numerous dead rats hidden underneath a shelf.

She expressed her shock at the filthy conditions, mentioning that “everything had layers of urine, dust, and poop” on various surfaces, and that the excessive inventory made it impossible to sell any products.

According to Baran, she and her brother eventually buried the deceased animals they found. Alcaraz, who was appointed to the supervisor position despite lacking political experience, was touted by the mayor for her background as a businesswoman and pet store owner.

District supervisors serve on the 11-member County Board of Supervisors, which functions similarly to a city council. These positions reportedly come with annual salaries exceeding $175,000 and involve standard legislative responsibilities.

Baran criticized Alcaraz’s ability to run the store properly. In addition, she released text messages where Alcaraz admitted to paying employees in cash and manipulating expenses to reduce tax liabilities.

Baran stated, “It’s not true to say you’re a successful businesswoman.” Interestingly, Alcaraz was sworn into office on her 29th birthday just the week prior, and it has been noted that she has never attended a local government meeting and does not have a college education.

This appointment has quickly been labeled a significant misstep for Mayor Lurie during his first year in office, according to local reports.