What Is 35th Mayor of San Francisco

Overview

London Breed made history as the 35th mayor of San Francisco, serving from 2018 to 2024. As the first African American woman to hold the office permanently, her leadership marked a significant milestone in the city’s political landscape.

Breed’s tenure was defined by her response to pressing urban challenges, including housing affordability, homelessness, and public safety. Her administration navigated complex policy decisions amid rapid technological and demographic changes in one of America’s most progressive cities.

• London Breed assumed office on July 11, 2018, after the unexpected death of Mayor Ed Lee, becoming acting mayor as president of the Board of Supervisors.
• She won a special election on June 4, 2019, defeating several candidates including Mark Leno and Jane Kim, securing 53.5% of the vote.
• Breed was re-elected in November 2019 for a full term beginning January 2020, defeating challenger Steve Glatt by a margin of 11 points.
• She served as mayor until January 8, 2024, after losing the 2023 mayoral election to philanthropist Daniel Lurie, who won with 54% of the vote.
• Breed’s administration focused on housing production, approving over 5,000 new housing units during her first term, though critics argued more was needed.

How It Works

The mayoral succession process in San Francisco follows a clear line of authority established by city charter. When a vacancy occurs, the president of the Board of Supervisors assumes the role temporarily until a special election can be held.

• Term: A mayor in San Francisco serves a four-year term. London Breed served a partial term from 2018–2020 and a full term from 2020–2024.
• Election Method: Mayors are elected citywide using ranked-choice voting, a system adopted in 2002 to ensure majority support.
• Succession Rule: If the mayor dies or resigns, the Board of Supervisors president becomes acting mayor for up to 30 days before a special election is scheduled.
• Breed’s Initial Appointment: She became acting mayor automatically on June 12, 2018, following Ed Lee’s death, fulfilling a constitutional provision.
• Special Election Timing: The June 2019 special election was held to fill the remainder of Lee’s term, which ended in January 2020.
• Full Term Election: The November 2019 election allowed Breed to win a full term, which began in January 2020 and ended in January 2024.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing London Breed’s tenure with her predecessors reveals shifts in policy focus, electoral dynamics, and public approval.

The table highlights how each mayor responded to the dominant issues of their era. Breed’s focus on housing and equity reflected the city’s 21st-century challenges, while predecessors like Willie Brown and Ed Lee shaped San Francisco’s modern governance structure.

Why It Matters

London Breed’s tenure as the 35th mayor had lasting implications for San Francisco’s governance, equity policies, and political representation. Her leadership during a period of intense scrutiny over homelessness and housing costs placed her at the center of national urban policy debates.

• Breed appointed the first African American Fire Chief in 2020, advancing diversity in city leadership roles.
• She launched the Homelessness Recovery Initiative in 2021, allocating $150 million over three years to expand shelters and services.
• Her administration approved 12,000 new housing units between 2018 and 2023, though only 30% were affordable.
• Breed opposed Proposition C (2018), a tax on large businesses to fund homelessness programs, drawing criticism from advocates.
• She prioritized downtown revitalization post-pandemic, offering incentives to bring workers back to offices.
• Her loss in 2023 reflected voter frustration with persistent street conditions and perceived lack of progress on key issues.

While Breed’s legacy includes significant firsts and policy initiatives, her time in office also underscored the difficulty of balancing progressive ideals with practical governance in a high-cost, rapidly changing city.