San Francisco Mayor London Breed faces early challengers.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed Faces Early Challengers Ahead of 2024 Election
San Francisco Mayor London Breed is facing several early challengers ahead of next year’s mayoral election, all of whom are critical of her performance as the city grapples with a drug overdose epidemic, a growing homeless population, and high crime rates.
The latest threat to her 2024 reelection campaign comes from Daniel Lurie, an heir to the Levi Strauss clothing fortune. The 46-year-old philanthropist announced his challenge to the Democratic incumbent this week. San Francisco Supervisor Ahsha Safaí, who filed paperwork in May for the city’s top political job, is also considered a prominent challenger.
Daniel Lurie
Lurie, 46, is the founder and CEO of the nonprofit group Tipping Point Community. He officially launched his bid to unseat Breed on Tuesday at a rally at the Potrero Hill Neighborhood House.
“This is not a crisis of resources. This is a crisis of leadership,” Lurie said. “We don’t have a mayor who’s challenging the system. We have a mayor who’s entrenched in it.”
“She’s been on the Board of Supervisors or in the City Hall for over a decade. What do we get? No solutions. We get excuses and finger-pointing,” Lurie added.
Under a Lurie administration, he promises to focus on ending “open-air drug markets” and changing the perception that lawlessness is acceptable in the city.
San Francisco is on track to have the highest number of accidental overdose deaths in its history this year, driven by the synthetic opioid fentanyl that is being seized at record levels in the city’s open-air drug markets.
Breed called in former San Francisco Mayor and current Governor Gavin Newsom to assist with the crisis, deploying the National Guard and partnering with the California Highway Patrol to tackle increased drug use.
“We have too many people that have been in power for far too long doing things the same way they’ve always been done,” Lurie said in a campaign video. “We have tremendous resources. We have everything at our disposal, and yet our streets are unsafe. We need to end the era of open-air drug dealing.”
Part of Lurie’s plan to curb crime and decrease 911 response times is to boost staffing in the police department, addressing concerns about a dire shortage of police officers.
As of July, San Francisco is about 600 officers short of its recommended staffing levels, but the latest class of recruits is the largest and most diverse the city has seen in three years.
Lurie also pledges to provide enough homeless shelter beds for all San Franciscans who seek one, as the city grapples with an overflow of homeless encampments.
Ahsha Safaí
The second-term District 11 supervisor, Safaí, 50, filed paperwork in May to challenge Breed in the 2024 election. He has been critical of Breed’s performance in addressing the city’s drug crisis, rising crime rates, and improving homeless services.
Safaí plans to focus on the creation of sober living environments and helping people with substance abuse disorders access recovery services.
He also aims to fill vacant positions in the police department, including 911 call operators and police officers, to address the staffing shortage.
Safaí sponsored Proposition C, a 2022 November ballot measure that created the Homelessness Oversight Commission, despite Breed’s opposition. The measure passed, and the city established the new oversight commission this year.
Other potential mayoral contenders include Democratic Assemblyman Phil Ting and San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu, although they have expressed disinterest in entering the race. Supervisor Aaron Peskin, who has been mentioned as a possible contender, has stated that he has no intention of running.
The Washington Examiner reached out to Lurie and Safaí for an interview.
What specific initiatives does Ahsha Safaí propose to address the issues of crime and homelessness in San Francisco?
Deo. “It’s time for new leadership, new ideas, and a new direction.”
Ahsha Safaí
Safaí, 47, is a current San Francisco Supervisor for District 11 and has been a prominent voice in the city’s political landscape. He has focused his campaign on addressing crime and homelessness, two major issues that have plagued San Francisco under Breed’s leadership.
“Our city is facing a crisis, and we need bold, decisive leadership to turn things around,” Safaí said in a statement. “I am committed to tackling our rising crime rates and finding real solutions to our homelessness problem. It’s time for a leader who will prioritize the safety and well-being of all San Franciscans.”
Safaí has been critical of Breed’s approach to homelessness, arguing that the city’s current policies, including the use of temporary shelters and navigation centers, are not effectively addressing the issue. He proposes a more comprehensive approach that includes mental health services, job training, and permanent housing solutions.
Safaí has also criticized Breed’s handling of crime in the city, particularly in relation to the rise in car break-ins and thefts. He advocates for increased police presence and stricter enforcement of laws to deter criminal activity.
Both Lurie and Safaí are positioning themselves as alternatives to Breed, offering fresh perspectives and new solutions to the challenges facing the city. However, unseating an incumbent mayor is not an easy task, especially in a city known for its progressive politics.
London Breed’s Response
Breed, 47, was elected as the Mayor of San Francisco in 2018 after serving as Acting Mayor following the death of Mayor Ed Lee. She became the first African American woman to hold the position in the city’s history.
In response to her challengers, Breed defended her record and highlighted her accomplishments as mayor. She pointed to initiatives such as expanding mental health services, investing in affordable housing, and expanding shelter capacity for the homeless.
“I have worked tirelessly to address the challenges facing our city, and I am proud of what we have accomplished,” Breed said in a statement. “There is more work to be done, but I believe in the resilience and strength of San Francisco and its people.”
As the 2024 mayoral election draws closer, San Francisco voters will have the opportunity to decide who they believe is best equipped to lead the city out of its current crises. The candidates’ stances on issues such as homelessness, crime, and drug addiction will likely be crucial in determining the outcome of the election.
Regardless of the outcome, it is clear that the challenges facing San Francisco are significant and will require strong leadership and innovative solutions to address. The next mayor will need to be proactive in tackling the city’s problems and working towards a better future for all residents.
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