London Breed

London Breed is an American politician serving as the 45th Mayor of San Francisco since 2018. A member of the Democratic Party, she was first elected in a special election following the death of Mayor Ed Lee, becoming the first African American woman to hold the office. Her tenure has focused on addressing the city's homelessness crisis, housing affordability, and public safety, navigating challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and economic recovery.

Early life and education

Born and raised in the Western Addition neighborhood of San Francisco, she grew up in public housing. She attended Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory before earning a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of California, Davis. She later received a Master of Public Administration from the University of San Francisco. Her early career included roles at the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency and as executive director of the African American Art & Culture Complex.

Political career

Her political career began with her election to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 2012, representing District 5. She served as President of the Board of Supervisors from 2015 to 2018, a role in which she assumed the duties of Acting mayor following the death of Ed Lee in December 2017. She won the subsequent special election against candidates including Mark Leno and Jane Kim, and was re-elected to a full term in the 2019 election.

Mayor of San Francisco

Upon taking office, she grappled with the city's persistent challenges, declaring a state of emergency on homelessness in 2018. Her administration launched initiatives like the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing and pursued policies to streamline the construction of new housing. During the COVID-19 pandemic, her early public health orders were credited with limiting the virus's spread. Key developments during her tenure include the approval of the Chase Center, the expansion of the Muni system, and ongoing debates over policing reform and drug overdose prevention.

Political positions and public image

A pragmatic Democrat, she has supported both progressive and moderate policies, advocating for increased housing density while also taking a tougher stance on crime and open-air drug markets. She has clashed with more progressive members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors on issues like police funding and business regulations. Her public image is that of a hometown leader shaped by personal experience, though her administration has faced criticism from both the left and right over the pace of progress on homelessness and urban decay.

Personal life

She is a lifelong resident of San Francisco and has spoken openly about the influence of her grandmother, who helped raise her in the Western Addition. She is a fan of the San Francisco 49ers and the San Francisco Giants. Her personal story of rising from public housing to the city's highest office is a central part of her political narrative.

Category:Mayors of San Francisco Category:African-American politicians Category:University of California, Davis alumni