Daniel Lurie is officially San Francisco's mayor
SAN FRANCISCO - With a brass band playing in the background and the pomp and circumstances reserved for VIPs, Daniel Lurie was inaugurated on Wednesday as San Francisco's newest mayor.
He kicked off his speech by thanking his "incredible wife" Becca, his family and acknowledging the life and death of President Jimmy Carter, who "showed us all what it means to lead with humanity and integrity."
Lurie also thanked London Breed for her service to San Francisco. She was voted out of office in November.
Who's who
Not a politician, but a dad:
A who's who of San Francisco political elites attended the ceremony in front of City Hall, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, Willie Brown, Art Agnos and Frank Jordan – all of whom held the same job. Warriors coach Steve Kerr and Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, the state's surgeon general, was also there, and she introduced Lurie.
Lurie, who has had no political experience and is the heir to the Levi Strauss fortune and a major philanthropist, explained to the crowd that he didn't enter the mayor's race as a politician but as a "dad who couldn’t explain to my kids what they were seeing on our streets."
Warriors coach Steve Kerr speaks at San Francisco mayor's Daniel Lurie's inauguration. Jan. 8, 2025
Fentanyl emergency
Local perspective:
While crime hit historic lows in San Francisco in 2024, the streets have been plagued with fentanyl and homelessness for years.
And he introduced a package of fentanyl "state of emergency" ordinances to funnel more resources quickly and "bypass the bureaucratic hurdles standing in the way of tackling this crisis," and he asked the board of supervisors for their "quick approval."
As he spoke, Lurie said the police department and sheriff's office are quickly ramping up to "bring drug dealers to justice and clean up our streets."
"Widespread drug dealing, public drug use, and constantly seeing people in crisis has robbed us of our sense of decency and security," he said. "Safety isn’t just a statistic, it’s a feeling you hold when you’re walking down the street. That insecurity is harming families and businesses in the Tenderloin, South of Market, the Mission and beyond."
Lurie promised San Francisco residents that they voted for accountability and change, which he promised his administration will "work to fulfill every single day."
He cautioned that lasting change takes time, but that if residents are willing to be consistent, have vision and are not afraid to make tough decisions, like stopping to spend more than the city can afford, "San Francisco will rise to new heights."
No cuts to police
What's next:
Despite that, Lurie vowed that he would not make any cuts to the sworn officers in the police department, 911 operators, EMTs, firefighters or nurses.
Lurie touched on several other initiatives that he plans to address regarding drug drop-offs, homelessness, business and building permits, restaurant inspections and entertainment zones.
And he said he plans to address all these issues with hard work and passion.
"It is the greatest honor of my life to serve as your mayor at this critical moment in our history," he said. "I’m asking you to join me in reclaiming our place as the greatest city in the world -- with a new era of accountability, service, and change. It’s time to roll up our sleeves and get to work, San Francisco."