06/18/2024
Mayoral candidates (from left to right): Supervisor Ahsha Safai, Philanthropist Daniel Lurie, former Interim Mayor Mark Farrell, Mayor London Breed and Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin; engaged in a lively SF Democratic Party debate last eve at UC Law, each hoping to win the party's highly coveted endorsement for the ranked choice race that will be decided by voters on November 5.
According to polls, public safety is the number one issue on voters minds.
Interestingly, two questions around the fentanyl overdose crisis and black on Asian hate crimes did not receive satisfactory or fulsome answers, with no mention of the ease with which fentanyl, manufactured in China, is making its way across the border with Mexico, likely because the border crisis is a Biden administration (Democratic Party) failure. In response to the question around hate crimes, candidates said more community policing is needed without addressing the underlying causes of resentment around gentrification of black neighborhoods and lack of opportunities.
Ultimately, there were no clear winners of the debate, IMHO, though Safai was a surprising standout.
