San Francisco Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie declared victory Friday morning in his first speech in the city since taking office. Mayor London Breed concedes the race. Thursday afternoon.
Mr. Lurie began his comments at 11 a.m. in a speech at St. Mary’s Square on California Avenue with his wife and supporters, acknowledging his victory. In the very same park where he held one of his early campaign events, Lurie held up the title of next mayor and promised to similarly uplift San Francisco and its residents.
“Your voices and calls for responsible leadership, service and change have been heard,” he said. “I stand before you humbly and deeply honored and privileged to serve the people of San Francisco as your next mayor.”
He went on to thank his family, including his children who attended the school, the people of San Francisco, and Breed.
“Yesterday, I received a kind phone call from Mayor London Breed. She offered her support during this transition period. We are both committed to working together to prepare for the hard work ahead. “We’re doing it,” Lurie said. “Her love for this city was always evident, and I would like to thank her for her contributions.”
There were rumors early Thursday that Breed might concede the race after falling behind Lurie in recent returns. She initially announced the concession on social media shortly after 4:30 p.m., then addressed the media at San Francisco City Hall less than an hour later.
most well known Before running for mayor, he was an heir to the Levi Strauss & Co. fortune.Lurie co-founded Tipping Point, a Bay Area anti-poverty organization, and the Civic Joy Fund, an organization he co-founded last year to support San Francisco’s post-pandemic economic recovery and increase citizen participation. He focused his efforts on non-profit organizations such as
Lurie has firmly positioned himself as a political outsider during the campaign, as he faces incumbent mayors and other candidates with current or past Board of Supervisors experience (in the case of Interim Mayor Mark Farrell). Ta.
“I entered this election not as a politician, but as a father who couldn’t explain to his children what was going on in his city. In our home, we love something as much as we love San Francisco. “We knew it wasn’t going to be easy,” Lurie said. “Our biggest objection was the cynicism itself, the poignant sense that this might have to be the case. After working the door and doing thousands of open and honest jobs, I can say, “With conversations happening in every corner of our seven square miles, hope is alive in San Francisco. ”
Mr. Lurie campaigned on addressing some of the city’s toughest challenges, including homelessness, the drug crisis, public safety and affordable housing. Amidst the celebratory mood, Mr. Lurie won the recognition that he is responsible for addressing many of the city’s challenges that have plagued mayors for decades.
“Our task is to show how governments must deliver on their promises: clean and safe streets for all, tackling the drug and behavioral health crisis, and tackling corruption and incompetence. “It’s about shaking up the bureaucracy, building enough housing and supporting our neighbors so they can live here. Bringing life back to our small businesses and downtown,” he said.
He also emphasized the need to move beyond partisan politics for change.
“We have to turn the page on the politics of demonizing each other for all the real-life issues of everyday life,” Lurie said. “People think of themselves as progressives, moderates or conservatives. We consider ourselves San Franciscans.”
Lurie also hinted at plans to reform City Hall and emphasized accountability.
“We have begun an aggressive quest for a world-class administration that reflects the passion and diversity of the San Franciscans we serve,” he said. “Let me be clear: The people I hire and appoint will not serve me. They will serve all of you. They will serve you and a city hall that functions and listens. We will serve your desire to have ” to you even if we do not agree. ”
Lurie also mentioned a significant change with President-elect Donald Trump returning to the White House. In a decisive victory over Vice President Kamala Harris.
“As we celebrate this victory, I recognize that many of you are feeling a great sense of fear and loss about the current state of our country, and I share those concerns,” Lurie said. “On my watch, San Francisco will defend the rights of all our neighbors. We will never turn a blind eye to racism, bigotry, and anti-Asian hate. We will harness the power of innovation to We will continue to protect the future of our planet and our planet, and once again become a magnet for creative minds. ”
When repeatedly asked to address national politics, Lurie distanced himself from ideology.
“Listen, I have serious disagreements with President Donald Trump,” Lurie responded. “But I will never allow those differences to get in the way of addressing the issues facing San Francisco.”
Lurie then traveled around the city on a kind of victory tour. As merchants walk through Chinatown, you’ll receive complimentary dumplings, take photos with well-wishers, and meet old friends like Larry Baer, president and CEO of the San Francisco Giants. did.
“I just realized that I know more than half of Daniel’s life, going back 30 years,” Baer said of Lurie. “So I think it’s great to have him. The good thing about him is he’s a good listener. He knows this city really well and he really cares about the city. ”
The mayor-elect drew heavily on his family’s wealth during his campaign, spending nearly $9 million of his own money to secure office. It was a frequent target of criticism from Breed and other opponents.
But when asked after Thursday’s concession speech whether he thought Lurie had earned his way into the job, Breed said, “The campaign has got to get behind us. We as a city are moving forward. We need to move on. We can’t turn a blind eye.” The voters of San Francisco make their own decisions, and as mayor of San Francisco, I have always respected them and respected the decisions they made. ”
Regarding his personal assets, Lurie said Friday that he will place all of his holdings in a blind trust on his inauguration day. He also said he does not plan to receive a salary for the work, but said he would need to speak with the city attorney about the issue.
In addition to the challenges Lurie mentioned Friday morning, he will also inherit San Francisco’s estimated $800 million budget deficit over the next two years.
A significant portion of this budget comes from federal funds, which could be in jeopardy under the incoming Trump administration.
Wilson Walker contributed to this report.
