The San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee split 11–11 late Wednesday, leaving it without an official position on the 16 September recall of District 4 Supervisor Joel Engardio. Under party rules, a tie vote triggers an automatic “no endorsement.” The outcome surprised both supporters and opponents of the recall, who had expected the committee’s moderate majority to back Engardio, himself a moderate elected in 2022. The deadlock followed six abstentions and four absences, including three members viewed as likely Engardio allies. With the committee unable to rally behind the incumbent, Engardio is left to defend his seat without the party imprimatur often used in campaign mailers and voter guides in the heavily Democratic city. The delayed endorsement vote came after ballots had already been mailed; more than 7,000 votes had been returned as of Wednesday out of an estimated 18,000-20,000 expected. Analysts said the late timing and the party’s neutrality are likely to dampen any effect the endorsement might have had on the closely watched recall.