San Francisco’s Shift to the Political Center

San Francisco voters are shifting towards the political center, moving away from the city’s traditionally ultra-progressive policies. This trend, highlighted by a Politico report, shows a significant change driven by Mayor Daniel Lurie and his moderate coalition.

Mayor Lurie and his allies have established a strong centrist political network. Residents, tired of the city’s struggles during the pandemic, are responding positively. A pivotal part of this movement is ‘Believe in SF,’ a nonprofit advocacy group. This group, featuring a potent political action committee, raised close to $1.8 million to support Lurie’s chosen candidates and initiatives in the June primary, earning the label of his “political machine” from Politico.

A homeless encampment in downtown San Francisco, April 14, 2022. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Recently, two of Lurie’s moderate supporters, Alan Wong and Stephen Sherrill, secured board of supervisor seats with ease. Meanwhile, voters rejected a union-backed measure to increase taxes on large corporations with high-paid CEOs—an initiative Lurie opposed.

This shift involves significant moderate campaign funding designed to diminish progressive influence. Groups like Neighbors for a Better San Francisco, supported by business and technology interests, have invested millions in keeping the city on a centrist path.

Mayor Daniel Lurie currently enjoys strong control over local governance. The San Francisco Chronicle’s recent polls indicate a 74% approval rating for Lurie, fueled by public satisfaction with initiatives to rejuvenate downtown and improve neighborhood cleanliness.

Lurie, a moderate Democrat and a member of the Levi Strauss family, defeated incumbent London Breed in the 2024 election. His triumph followed a years-long voter backlash against lenient policies on crime, retail theft, drug markets, and homelessness—issues that critics say impacted residents’ quality of life.

These political changes caught national attention, including praise from former President Donald Trump for the city’s efforts to reverse its decline.

The impact on San Francisco’s left-leaning elements has been evident. Moderate candidates have recently taken control of key supervisor seats, further marginalizing progressive incumbents. A Politico report highlighted Lurie’s strong influence, citing his high approval rate and the city’s recent political shift to the center.

Reporter Profile: Joshua Q. Nelson covers cultural trends, education, and public policy for Fox News Digital. He joined the team in 2019, bringing experience from Syracuse University and the Wharton Public Policy Certificate from the University of Pennsylvania.