San Francisco Mayor London Breed’s reelection campaign faces a growing funding gap
San Francisco Mayor London Breed Faces Uphill Battle in Reelection Campaign
San Francisco Democratic Mayor London Breed is in for a tough fight as she seeks reelection this year. Her approval ratings have taken a hit, with polls showing her trailing behind challenger Daniel Lurie. On top of that, the city is grappling with a growing budget deficit. But perhaps the biggest obstacle Breed faces is the significant funding gap.
So far, the three candidates in the race – Breed, Lurie, and Ahsha Safai - have collectively raised over $4.8 million for their campaigns. This poses a major challenge for Breed, as her personal reelection campaign only managed to bring in $408,000 last year. Additionally, an independent committee supporting her run raised just over $265,000. In comparison, Lurie has raised six times more since September, putting Breed at a disadvantage as the November election approaches.
In 2018, Breed narrowly won the mayoral race following the sudden death of San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee. That special election became the most expensive mayoral race in the city’s history, with over $8.4 million poured into campaign coffers. This year’s matchup is on track to surpass those figures.
The majority of the funds raised by independent committees supporting Breed’s reelection bid came from former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Bloomberg, who has a longstanding relationship with Breed, donated $200,000 to Forward Action AF, according to campaign finance documents. Both Bloomberg and Breed have positioned themselves as tough-on-crime centrists, although this stance has not been well-received by San Francisco progressives.
Lurie, Breed’s closest political rival, has tapped into his family’s substantial wealth to finance his campaign. His mother, Mimi Haas, widow of Peter Haas, the great-grandnephew of Levi Strauss, donated $1 million to the group “Believe in SF, Lurie for Mayor 2024.” Lurie’s brother, Ari, also contributed $350,000 to two committees supporting his brother’s bid. The San Francisco Standard reported that a mix of established elites and venture capitalists are ready to open their wallets for Lurie’s mayoral campaign. Lurie’s campaign manager, Trishala Vinnakota, attributes the support to his promise of replacing City Hall insiders with fresh ideas and accountable leadership.
Safai, another candidate in the race, raised over $333,000 last year but does not have an outside committee supporting his run. However, his campaign is on track to meet the threshold for eligibility for public matching funds, which could amount to over $1.2 million for qualifying mayoral candidates.
San Francisco is one of the few places that allows candidates to access taxpayer money to support their campaigns. Under the program, mayoral candidates can receive up to $1.2 million in public funds, while candidates for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors can receive up to $255,000.
Similar programs exist in Los Angeles and New York, while Seattle has a “Democracy Voucher Program” that enables voters to allocate city funds to their preferred candidates.
In addition to Lurie and Safai, there is speculation that former San Francisco Mayor Mark Farrell may enter the race in the coming weeks, further intensifying the competition for campaign funds.
What strategies is Mayor Breed implementing to engage with voters and generate support for her campaign
Ong history of supporting Democratic candidates, donated $250,000 to the committee. However, despite this significant contribution, it is not enough to bridge the funding gap between Breed and her competitors.
One of the main reasons for Breed’s struggles in fundraising is the fact that she is facing criticism from both sides of the political spectrum. Progressives in the city argue that she is not doing enough to address issues such as affordable housing and income inequality. On the other hand, conservatives criticize her for not taking a strong enough stance on crime and homelessness. This has made it difficult for Breed to attract support from major donors who may have concerns about her ability to unite the city.
In addition to the funding challenges, Breed is also facing a growing budget deficit that could further impact her reelection campaign. The city is grappling with a shortfall of nearly $650 million due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This has forced Breed to make difficult decisions, including budget cuts and layoffs, which may not sit well with voters.
Despite these obstacles, Breed is not giving up. She is working hard to engage with voters and generate support for her campaign. She has been hosting virtual town hall meetings and attending community events to listen to the concerns of residents. Breed is also emphasizing her track record as mayor, highlighting the city’s efforts to combat the pandemic and address social justice issues.
Furthermore, Breed is banking on her incumbency advantage. As the current mayor, she has the advantage of name recognition and the ability to mobilize resources from her office. She is leveraging these assets to connect with voters and showcase her accomplishments.
However, Breed cannot solely rely on her incumbency advantage. She must present a compelling vision for the future of San Francisco and address the concerns of voters from all sides of the political spectrum. This means finding common ground on issues such as housing, crime, and the economy. Breed will need to articulate a clear strategy for tackling these challenges and convince voters that she is the best candidate to lead the city forward.
In conclusion, Mayor London Breed is facing an uphill battle in her reelection campaign. Her approval ratings have decreased, she is facing a significant funding gap, and the city is grappling with a budget deficit. However, Breed is not giving up and is working hard to engage with voters and generate support for her campaign. While she has the incumbency advantage, she must also address the concerns of voters from all sides of the political spectrum and present a compelling vision for the future of San Francisco. The November election will be a crucial test for Breed’s leadership and her ability to unite the city.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Now loading...