The footage, which has begun circulating online, shows Foster standing inches away from Kenny, jabbing his finger in his direction and escalating the situation rather than diffusing it. The man, who reportedly lives with and cares for his elderly and disabled mother, had been attempting to question the councilmember about his alleged lack of responsiveness to community inquiries. The encounter quickly devolved into a shouting match, with Foster hurling insults and making dismissive remarks.
"You're the worst district councilman we've ever had," Kenny says in the video, to which Foster responds, "You're a punk, you're a punk, and you're a punk."
When Kenny pushes back by asking, "I'm a punk? And you're a councilman talking that way to a constituent?" Foster does not back down.
The video has raised serious questions about Foster's temperament and professionalism as an elected official. Despite repeated attempts to contact Councilmember Foster for comment, SanDiegoVille has not received a response.
Henry L. Foster III was elected to represent District Four, which encompasses much of Southeast San Diego, in a special election following Monica Montgomery Steppe's election to the County Board of Supervisors. He was sworn into office on April 8, 2024. Prior to his election, Foster served as Montgomery Steppe's Chief of Staff and spent over two decades in the construction industry. He has positioned himself as a longtime advocate for racial equity, economic development, and infrastructure investment in historically underserved communities.
Foster made headlines earlier this year for leading the charge to roll back San Diego's bonus Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) program, a move that fractured the City Council's pro-housing majority and was met with mixed reactions.
While Foster has been praised by some community members for standing up to developers and promoting equity in District Four, this recent incident casts a shadow over his leadership style. Critics argue that no elected official should ever speak to a resident in such a derogatory and aggressive manner, regardless of the disagreement.
As the video continues to spread, pressure is mounting on Foster to address the situation publicly and offer an explanation or apology. For now, his silence only deepens concerns about accountability and decorum within San Diego's city leadership.
Originally published on June 23, 2025.
