San Francisco’s first Black female mayor, London Breed, officially conceded defeat in her re-election bid on Thursday, handing the victory to Daniel Lurie, a member of the Levi Strauss family. Breed assured the public that a smooth transition of power would occur as Lurie prepares to take over the mayoral responsibilities.
Raised by her grandmother in a public housing unit, Breed faced significant voter dissatisfaction that ultimately led to her loss against Lurie, who founded an anti-poverty nonprofit. “Ultimately, this role is about more than any individual; it’s essential that we continue to advance this City,” Breed stated, mentioning that she had personally reached out to Lurie to extend her congratulations. “We share a commitment to bettering the City we both hold dear.”
Despite some recent improvements, including cleaner streets and a noticeable decrease in homeless encampments, challenges persisted. Fellow Democrats consistently criticized her administration during the campaign, arguing that it had failed to adequately address rising homelessness, visible drug use, and rampant retail theft throughout her tenure.
Lurie, a 47-year-old native San Franciscan, attracted voter support by promising transparency and dedicated public service. He is well known for founding the Tipping Point Community, a nonprofit that has funneled over $400 million into initiatives aimed at combating poverty through education, housing, and early childhood development since its inception in 2005.
“I am incredibly thankful to my family, campaign team, and all the San Franciscans who voted for accountability, service, and change,” Lurie expressed in a statement. “Regardless of electoral preferences, we are united in our goal for a safer and more affordable future for San Francisco.”
In his pursuit of the mayoral seat, Lurie invested nearly $9 million of his personal wealth, a decision that drew criticism from Breed and other candidates. Nevertheless, some voters viewed his financial independence as a strength, believing it would enable him to operate free from the influence of special interest groups.
Lurie’s affluence comes from being an heir to the Levi Strauss & Co. fortune, through his mother, Mimi Haas, who married Peter Haas during Lurie’s childhood. Peter Haas, a great-grandnephew of Levi Strauss himself, was a long-serving CEO of the renowned clothing brand until his passing in 2005.
The legacy of both the Levi’s brand and the Haas family philanthropic institutions is intricately woven into San Francisco’s cultural fabric. Additionally, Lurie’s father, Brian Lurie, is a respected rabbi and a past executive director of the Jewish Community Federation in San Francisco.
Breed initially assumed the mayoral position in June 2018, filling in the remainder of Mayor Ed Lee’s tenure. She was then elected for a full term in 2019, serving a lengthier five years due to changes in the election schedule coinciding with presidential elections.