SF Mayor London Breed’s reelection campaign in jeopardy: Poll
San Francisco Mayor London Breed at Risk of Losing Reelection, Poll Shows
It’s more bad news for San Francisco Democratic Mayor London Breed’s reelection efforts. A new poll reveals that she is at serious risk of losing her competitive race, with a majority of San Francisco voters holding a negative view of her. Meanwhile, her closest competitor, Mark Farrell, is gaining the most support in the first round of ranked choice voting.
What’s worse for Breed is that the poll took place just one day after Farrell, a former mayor and city supervisor, announced his candidacy.
Key Findings from the Poll:
- Twenty percent of likely voters would rank Farrell as their first choice, with Breed coming in at 18%.
- Levi Strauss heir Daniel Lurie came in third with 16%, followed by Supervisor Ahsha Safai at 8%.
- The poll, conducted this month of 812 likely voters, found that 71% disapprove of Breed’s job performance.
“Obviously, with the number of undecided voters that we have, you don’t want to draw too firm of a conclusion,” said Jonathan Brown, the Sextant Strategies president who led the San Francisco Chronicle poll. “But … if this is the field of major candidates right now, it certainly looks like Breed is in very, very serious trouble.”
Breed has failed to gain traction with voters who have complained that the city hasn’t rebounded as quickly as others following the pandemic. Others have pointed to the persistent homelessness crisis and open-air drug use on city streets as reasons why they favor a leadership change. Additionally, there has been an exodus of businesses in San Francisco, claiming that the city is rife with crime and lacks sufficient punishment.
However, there may still be time for Breed to win back some voters. With more than eight months to go before the election, 40% of the electorate remains undecided.
In recent weeks, Breed has taken a tough-on-crime stance and demanded accountability for welfare recipients. She has also faced criticism for midcycle budget cuts, which have resulted in the pausing of several programs, including a homeless center in the Tenderloin district.
Farrell, a venture capitalist who served as the interim mayor of San Francisco for six months in 2018, entered the race earlier this month. He had been in that role when Breed was elected to finish Mayor Ed Lee’s term after his unexpected death in office.
Farrell, who had not planned to return to politics, stated, “It is really painful to watch the city you love and grew up in maligned across the globe.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Why do voters believe Breed’s handling of the city’s homelessness crisis has contributed to her decline in popularity
Li>Breed’s overall favorability rating is at 37%, while 59% of voters have a negative view of her.
These findings are a significant blow to Breed’s reelection campaign. As the incumbent mayor, she was hoping to maintain the support of San Francisco voters and continue her agenda for the city. However, this poll shows that a majority of voters do not believe she is the best candidate for the job. One of the main reasons for Breed’s decline in popularity is likely the public’s dissatisfaction with her handling of the city’s homelessness crisis. San Francisco has long grappled with a growing homeless population, and many voters believe that Breed has not done enough to address this issue effectively. Despite her efforts to increase funding for homeless services and build more affordable housing, the problem persists, and voters are holding her accountable. In contrast, Mark Farrell’s entrance into the race has energized voters and provided them with an alternative they find more appealing. As a former mayor and city supervisor, Farrell has a track record of leadership and a deeper understanding of San Francisco’s challenges. This makes him a viable option for voters who are looking for a change in leadership and a fresh perspective on the city’s issues. Furthermore, Farrell’s first-place ranking in the poll indicates that he has already gained significant support in the early stages of the election. This momentum could potentially propel him to victory if he continues to campaign effectively and resonate with voters. As for Breed, these poll results should serve as a wake-up call. In order to have a chance at winning re-election, she needs to take immediate action to address the concerns of voters and rebuild their trust. This may require a reassessment of her approach to tackling the homelessness crisis and a more proactive engagement with the community to understand their needs and priorities. Ultimately, the outcome of the mayoral race will depend on how Breed responds to this critical moment in her campaign. If she can turn things around and regain the trust of voters, she may still have a fighting chance. However, if she fails to address their concerns and fails to inspire confidence, she may indeed lose her bid for re-election to Mark Farrell. Only time will tell how this race will unfold, but one thing is clear: Breed’s campaign is facing significant challenges, and she will need to act swiftly and decisively if she hopes to secure another term as San Francisco’s mayor.
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