San Francisco is witnessing a political shift as voters increasingly embrace moderate leadership, moving away from the city's historically ultra-progressive stance. Mayor Daniel Lurie, a moderate Democrat and heir to the Levi Strauss fortune, was elected in 2024 after decisively defeating incumbent London Breed.

According to a July 15, 2026, report from Politico, Lurie and his moderate allies have built a powerful centrist political apparatus resonating with residents concerned about the city's pandemic-era challenges. Central to this effort is Believe in SF, a nonprofit advocacy group whose PAC recently raised nearly $1.8 million to support Lurie's preferred candidates and ballot measures in the city's June primary, described by Politico as his "political machine."

The June primary results were clear: two of Lurie's moderate allies on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, Alan Wong and Stephen Sherrill, won competitive races by wide margins. Recent polling data from the San Francisco Chronicle shows Lurie enjoys a 74% approval rating, driven by voter optimism about downtown revitalization and cleaner neighborhoods.

This political momentum underscores what Politico calls a "winning streak" for Lurie, highlighting his strong influence on San Francisco politics and the city's ongoing pivot toward the political center.

Homeless encampment in downtown San Francisco April 14, 2022
Photo credit: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images

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