The outgoing San Francisco mayor, London Breed, faces the end of her historic tenure with a defiant stance.
According to the Washington Examiner, despite suffering a significant electoral defeat in November, Mayor London Breed insists she remains "a winner" despite losing her re-election bid to billionaire heir Daniel Lurie.
Breed's declaration comes as she reflects on her groundbreaking role as San Francisco's first Black female mayor, a position she assumed in June 2018 following a special election after Mayor Ed Lee's death. Her journey from poverty in one of the city's toughest neighborhoods to the mayor's office marked a significant milestone in San Francisco's political landscape.
Breed's mayoral term was marked by unprecedented challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, a surge in drug overdose deaths, and escalating homelessness issues. Her early pandemic response, particularly being one of the first big-city mayors to declare a state of emergency, earned her initial praise and was credited with saving numerous lives.
Democratic donor and Breed supporter Susie Tompkins Buell emphasized the mayor's dedication during these challenging times. She noted how Breed navigated through uncharted territories while attempting to balance boldness with caution in her decision-making process.
The mayor's tenure, however, became increasingly complicated by various controversies, including questions about city contracts and the management of her signature Dream Keeper Initiative, a program designed to support the city's Black community with an annual budget of up to $60 million.
Breed attributes her electoral defeat partially to her opponent's substantial financial resources. Lurie, coming from one of San Francisco's wealthiest families, invested nearly $9 million in his campaign, with additional support from his mother, who contributed $1 million to an independent expenditure committee.
The financial disparity in the campaign became evident as Breed struggled to balance her mayoral duties with campaign activities. As she noted in her interview with the Los Angeles Times:
No matter what the results said, I'm still a winner. The fact that I have come out of the most problematic circumstances of San Francisco to be mayor, and I'm here, and I have been able to serve, it is an absolute privilege.
However, Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin offers a different perspective on Breed's defeat, suggesting that her late pivot to conservative policies on crime and homelessness alienated her progressive base.
James Taylor, a political science professor at the University of San Francisco, points to self-inflicted wounds that contributed to Breed's downfall. The revelation of mismanaged city funds and questionable contract arrangements damaged her credibility, particularly among Black residents who had high hopes for her leadership.
The San Francisco Standard's investigation exposed troubling details about the Human Rights Commission's handling of contracts, revealing that over $1 million was directed to a nonprofit organization led by someone Breed was living with - a relationship she had not disclosed.
London Breed's tenure as San Francisco's first Black female mayor is drawing to a close following her November electoral defeat to Daniel Lurie. Her six-year administration faced multiple crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, rising crime rates, and persistent homelessness issues.
The election outcome reflected voters' dissatisfaction with the city's direction, particularly regarding public safety and quality of life issues. Despite the electoral setback, Breed maintains that her journey from poverty to becoming mayor represents a significant achievement, though her future plans remain uncertain as she prepares to hand over leadership to her successor.
