Isabella ‘Beya’ Alcaraz, a newly appointed San Francisco District 4 supervisor, has resigned just one week after taking office. The 29-year-old stepped down following revelations about poor conditions at a pet store she once managed.
Alcaraz was appointed by Mayor Daniel Lurie, who praised her as a "bridge builder" and a "problem solver." The mayor highlighted her experience as a businesswoman and pet store owner when making the appointment. However, reports soon emerged about The Animal Connection, a pet shop in the Sunset District that Alcaraz ran before her brief political career.
Julia Baran, who took over the store from Alcaraz, shared photos and videos showing unsanitary conditions, including hundreds of dead rodents stored in a freezer alongside other dead animals. Baran described the shop as smelling “like death” and said everything was covered with urine, dust, and feces—on the walls, cabinets, and much of the inventory, making it unsellable.
Baran also revealed that Alcaraz paid workers under the table and tried to reduce her income tax by claiming dinners and drinks with friends as business expenses. Baran told the San Francisco Chronicle that Alcaraz was not the successful businesswoman she claimed to be and pointed out that Alcaraz had no college education or prior political experience.
Alcaraz was sworn in last Thursday—her 29th birthday—but reportedly never attended any local government meetings during her short time in office. San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors, which includes 11 members and functions like a city council, pays its members over $175,000 annually.
The mayor’s choice quickly turned into one of his biggest missteps of the year, according to local outlets. The controversy has raised questions about vetting processes for political appointments and the accountability of public officials.
Alcaraz’s resignation closes a brief and troubled chapter, but it leaves many wondering about the oversight of both small business operations and those stepping into public office.
