Progressive-Challenging Groups Spent Big in San Francisco, But Results Mixed
Groups that have emerged in San Francisco since the pandemic, focused chiefly on ousting progressive politicians and curing the city of perceived urban lawlessness and bureaucratic excess, had a busy 2024. They spent close to $20 million on various ballot measures and candidates this year. The year’s six top individual donors, meanwhile, spent $17.5 million. That outlay was partly responsible for making the Nov. 5 election the most expensive in the city’s history.
None chose Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie as a No. 1 pick, putting the groups’ leaders in a precarious — or worse — position with the new administration right from the get-go. “We don’t owe them a goddamn thing,” said one source close to Lurie. Earlier in the year, many envisioned the November races as a referendum on whether the groups had overreached. The groups, and their funders, made it clear in a series of interviews that they can get along fine with Lurie — if he lets them. Leaders of all four groups, equanimous in defeat, said they were looking forward to furthering Lurie’s agenda. They also remain resolute on continuing what they’ve started. According to their leaders, the next couple of elections will likely see better-orchestrated and equally well-financed campaigns to amend the city charter and rid the Board of Supervisors of any progressives. While the groups’ leaders mostly counted the November results a success, others were more candid: The tech and business coalition split by backing different mayoral candidates, they said — and all suffered as a result. One group sank millions into a losing charter reform measure, Prop. D, that would have expanded mayoral power and halved the number of city commissions. TogetherSF also backed fourth-place finisher Mark Farrell, who they said likely sunk it: Both were pounded by voters, and the defeat of TogetherSF’s all-in effort revealed the limits of the groups’ power — and perhaps its political acumen
POLITICS ELECTIONS SAN FRANCISCO PROGRESIVES DONORS
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Loyola Chicago Ramblers face the San Francisco DonsThe Loyola Chicago Ramblers play the San Francisco Dons at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The teams match up Sunday for the first time this season. Loyola Chicago is 7-0 at home, and San Francisco is 0-0 on the road.
Read more »
Waymo Robotaxis Face Harassment and Safety Concerns in San FranciscoReports of harassment and safety concerns surface as Waymo expands its driverless taxi service in San Francisco. Passengers, mainly women, have experienced incidents of following, obstruction, and attempts to enter their vehicles, highlighting the vulnerability of autonomous technology in complex urban environments.
Read more »
Waymo Driverless Cars Face Harassment and Safety Concerns in San FranciscoConcerns are rising about the safety and security of Waymo's self-driving car service in San Francisco, as passengers report incidents of harassment and inappropriate behavior.
Read more »
San Diego leaders, advocacy groups address homelessness issue at conferenceCiara Encinas joined the ABC 10News team in December 2021 as a multimedia journalist.
Read more »
Democrats face internal criticism as focus groups reveal challenges heading into 2025New reporting from The Washington Post says President Joe Biden and those closest to him believe he should have stayed in the presidential race.
Read more »
Democrats face internal criticism as focus groups reveal challenges heading into 2025New reporting from The Washington Post says President Joe Biden and those closest to him believe he should have stayed in the presidential race.
Read more »