On a recent Saturday,Albert Chow, owner of Great Wall Hardware and first-time candidate for District 4 supervisor, led a march from his Taraval Street store to a ballot dropbox in the Parkside branch library. Chow has built his campaign around reopening the Great Highway to cars on weekdays — a single-issue stance that, according to his campaign consultant, has already secured about 9,000 pledged supporters in a district where primary turnout is expected to be around 25,000. The June 2 election will test whether that base is enough to carry an outsider who rejects traditional political labels.

The 9,000-vote foundation — and what it means in a 25,000-turnout primary

According to the source report, campaign consultant Otto Pippenger announced that the Chow campaign has identified about 9,000 voters who said they would support Chow.. In a primary with an expected turnout of 25,000, that number represents more than a third of the anticipated votes — a formidable bloc in a district-level race. This is not a citywide election; District 4 covers the Sunset neighborhood, where local grievances like parking shortages and traffic light proliferation dominate voter concerns.

Why a hardware store owner is running on parking spaces and red lights

Chow's rally at Great Wall Hardware — a store he owns that was nearly rebuilt after a 2024 fire and is expected to reopen in five to six weeks — focused on a set of specific frustrations: too many red light signals, left-turn lane removals, and walk-along boarding islands that he says have reduced parking. The hardware store itself is a symbol of his connection to the neighborhood's everyday annoyances. As he canvassed Outer Sunset residents, Chow told the source report that 99 percent of the voters he talks to focus on the Great Highway reopening.

The Great Highway: a political wedge that has split environmentalists and drivers

Since Proposition K closed the road to cars on weekends and eventually permanently, many Sunset residents have demanded its reopening on weekdays. Chow has been outspoken on the issue, carrying a petition that he claims makes him the only candidate with one. According to the report, his position has alienated some environmental advocates.. at one door, a tech transplant told Chow the closure was "a loss that we have to accept," while another resident demanded 24/7 access. The division over the highway illustrates how a single transportation issue can define a local race — and fracture a community.

What 'neither a progressive nor a moderate' means for a potential tie-breaking vote

Chow proudly declares himself unaffiliated with political labels: "I am neither a progressive. I'm neither a moderate. I'm not a NIMBY, I'm not a YIMBY. That means I'll be a tie breaker." With no government experience, he positions himself as an outsider who could swing votes on a divided board. But the question is whether such a stance can translate into legislative effectiveness once in office. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors often splits along progressive-moderate lines; a self-described "neither" could face pressure to pick sides on key issues like housing and public safety.

The election on June 2 will determine who represents District 4. Chow's campaign, fueled by grassroots support and a clear single issue, may prove pivotal in a low-turnout primary where every vote counts. As the source report notes, Chow's determination was evident: he is running not as a career politician, but as a neighbor who understands the daily frustrations of living in the Sunset district.