Malia Cohen elected as SF board of supervisors president

SAN FRANCISCO (KTVU) - Supervisor Malia Cohen was elected board of supervisors president, replacing London Breed who will be taking over as mayor of San Francisco. 

It was a unanimous vote during Tuesday's board of supervisors meeting where Breed presided over her last meeting as president. Breed had said she was stepping down to focus on preparing for her new job as mayor. Breed starts her new job July 11. 

Many in City Hall said Breed left early so she and fellow moderates could elect one of their own as president rather than a progressive next month when Raphael Mandleman replaces Supervisor Jeff Sheehy. 

That means Breed as mayor will have to find a way to work with progressives, including Aaron Peskin, who was instrumental in in unseating Breed as acting mayor and installing Mark Farrell after Ed Lee died. 

"When we agree, we will be there to aid her. When we disagree we are going to be a check and balance," Peskin said. 

University of San Francisco Professor of Politics James Taylor said it may not be easy for Breed as she tackles issues like homelessness and housing. 

"You have to have different coalition partners in governing than you do in running a campaign. Now London Breed needs the progressives to carry out her agenda," Taylor said. 

But the whole moderate versus progressive deck of cards is likely to be re-shuffled in November when four seats on the board will be up, including Malia Cohen's. The majority could shift again. 

"The question is, is she enough of a politician to be able to persuade one or two progressives to her position on a regular basis," Taylor said. 

London Breed will only be finishing out Ed Lee's term. She has to run for mayor again next year.