In the San Francisco mayoral race, Daniel Lurie has established a significant lead over the incumbent, London Breed, based on preliminary ranked-choice voting results published Wednesday morning. Lurie is currently ahead with 56% of the votes compared to Breed’s 43.6%, which translates to a margin of over 24,000 votes. As the voting process continues, other candidates have been eliminated, leaving Lurie and Breed as the primary contenders.
Lurie, who has never held public office, comes from a philanthropic background as the founder of a San Francisco nonprofit and is an heir to the Levi Strauss fortune. He has expressed a commitment to transforming San Francisco into a city that its residents can take pride in, although he cautioned that such changes will not happen quickly.
Despite Lurie’s strong early lead, the race has not yet been officially decided. He took to social media, stating, “The campaign is over,” and emphasized the importance of unity regardless of the election’s outcome. At his watch party, Lurie’s supporters reacted positively to the early results, reflecting an air of optimism.
On the other hand, Mayor London Breed remains determined and reminded her supporters of her previous experience in the 2018 election where she was not favored for the first few days but ultimately won by a narrow margin. She expressed her intention to fight hard, encouraging patience as the vote counting process continues.
As the election unfolds, both candidates have called for supporters to remain calm amid the ongoing tallying of votes. The atmosphere reflects a mixture of excitement and anticipation, highlighting the vibrant democratic process in San Francisco.
This election provides a moment for community reflection, as both candidates highlight the potential for change and progress in the city. Regardless of the outcome, the race signals an engaged electorate eager for leadership and improvements in their city.