WASHINGTON – On Thursday, San Francisco Mayor London Breed acknowledged her defeat to Daniel Lurie, a challenger with moderate views, after a heated election campaign focused on resolving the city’s post-pandemic challenges.

Lurie maintained a solid lead throughout all 14 rounds of ranked choice voting, ultimately winning against Breed, who made history as the city’s first Black female mayor, with a margin exceeding 10 points, securing 56% of the votes to Breed’s 43%.

As a descendant of the Levi Strauss fortune and the founder of the nonprofit Tipping Point Community, Lurie campaigned as a pragmatic candidate aiming to restore accountability to the city’s troubled government.

During Breed’s administration, San Francisco faced significant challenges, as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the once-busy downtown. Tech employees transitioned to remote work, leading to a sharp decline in customer traffic for restaurants and shops that relied on daily office workers.

Under Breed’s leadership, there was a rise in property crimes and drug-related deaths. Several city departments dealt with corruption scandals, and Republican figures, including Ron DeSantis and President-elect Donald Trump, have criticized San Francisco as a symbol of Democratic mismanagement regarding crime and disorder.

Lurie took advantage of the public dissatisfaction, prioritizing public safety and aiming to eliminate the notion that lawlessness is acceptable in San Francisco. He vowed to adequately fund law enforcement and implement reforms ensuring officers patrol the neighborhoods where they reside.

“So many people love this city. It’s time for us to start making people feel that love in return,” Lurie, who has no prior experience in public office, stated during his victory speech on Tuesday night.

Lurie’s election is part of a broader trend in San Francisco and throughout California, where voters are increasingly favoring moderate candidates and tougher crime policies. In 2022, San Francisco’s voters ousted the city’s progressive district attorney, who had proposed sweeping criminal justice reforms, including abolishing cash bail and reducing the prison population.

This year, voters in both Los Angeles and Oakland similarly rejected progressive prosecutors. Proposition 36, aimed at increasing penalties for theft and repeated drug offenses statewide, was also approved by wide margins.

Although Lurie is a Democrat, like Breed, he garnered support from Republican political factions in the predominantly liberal city of California. He faced criticism for spending roughly $8 million of his own funds on his campaign, with opponents claiming he was attempting to buy his way into office with such financial backing.

However, any concerns about his spending evaporated once the votes were counted, solidifying Lurie’s strong victory.

In a news conference announcing her concession, Breed expressed her commitment to aiding Lurie’s transition into the mayor’s office.

“We need to leave the campaign behind us,” she stated. “It’s time to move forward as a city.”