Adam Lashinsky

The last time there was a political earthquake of the magnitude we just witnessed within San Francisco’s City Hall, Daniel Lurie was an 18-year-old recent graduate of University High School. That was way back in 1995, when Willie Brown beat the incumbent Mayor Frank Jordan, ushering in a bold new regime to run the city. The next three elected mayors — Gavin Newsom, Ed Lee, and London Breed — were all appointees or protégés of Brown, effectively representing an uninterrupted run of Willie’s World.&nbsp;

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The last time there was a political earthquake of the magnitude we just witnessed within San Francisco’s City Hall, Daniel Lurie was an 18-year-old recent graduate of University High School. That was way back in 1995, when Willie Brown beat the incumbent Mayor Frank Jordan, ushering in a bold new regime to run the city. The next three elected mayors — Gavin Newsom, Ed Lee, and London Breed — were all appointees or protégés of Brown, effectively representing an uninterrupted run of Willie’s World.&nbsp;

This nearly 30-year political epoch has left the so-called City Family unprepared for the election of Lurie, who ran explicitly against several of its own. Most current department heads and staffers have neither the playbook nor muscle memory of how to function outside of the patronage army that Brown built.&nbsp;

This nearly 30-year political epoch has left the so-called City Family unprepared for the election of Lurie, who ran explicitly against several of its own. Most current department heads and staffers have neither the playbook nor muscle memory of how to function outside of the patronage army that Brown built.&nbsp;

To put it another way: This is the first administration in a generation that owes Brown and the rest of San Francisco’s political firmament precisely nothing. (A while back, I heard that when Lurie asked Brown for campaign advice, the wily politician dismissively responded that the philanthropist should “get a job.”)

To put it another way: This is the first administration in a generation that owes Brown and the rest of San Francisco’s political firmament precisely nothing. (A while back, I heard that when Lurie asked Brown for campaign advice, the wily politician dismissively responded that the philanthropist should “get a job.”)

“City Hall insiders,” as Lurie repeatedly derided them during his campaign, have no idea what to expect. Will the new mayor clean house and install his own loyalists in place of longtime officeholders? Will he swing a sledgehammer at city government’s byways, taking down anyone who stands in his way? Lurie spoke repeatedly of City Hall’s dysfunction during the campaign, and his <a href="https://daniellurie.com/sc/thank-you-letter-sc/">victory letter</a> cites “shaking up the corrupt and ineffective bureaucracy&#8221; as one of his top priorities.

“City Hall insiders,” as Lurie repeatedly derided them during his campaign, have no idea what to expect. Will the new mayor clean house and install his own loyalists in place of longtime officeholders? Will he swing a sledgehammer at city government’s byways, taking down anyone who stands in his way? Lurie spoke repeatedly of City Hall’s dysfunction during the campaign, and his <a href="https://daniellurie.com/sc/thank-you-letter-sc/">victory letter</a> cites “shaking up the corrupt and ineffective bureaucracy" as one of his top priorities.

“City Hall insiders,” as Lurie repeatedly derided them during his campaign, have no idea what to expect. Will the new mayor clean house and install his own loyalists in place of longtime officeholders? Will he swing a sledgehammer at city government’s byways, taking down anyone who stands in his way? Lurie spoke repeatedly of City Hall’s dysfunction during the campaign, and his <a href="https://daniellurie.com/sc/thank-you-letter-sc/">victory letter</a> cites “shaking up the corrupt and ineffective bureaucracy&#8221; as one of his top priorities.

Lurie&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/DanielLurie/status/1858561058241474677?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1858561058241474677%7Ctwgr%5Ed6f3e8d8b9d051056cfd5ad522696aa28b945c6b%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fsfstandard.com%2F2024%2F11%2F18%2Fsam-altman-tapped-for-luries-transition-team%2F" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">named his transition team Monday</a>, a group that includes OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and a handful of politicos. But as he thinks about the kind of leader he plans to be, he’d be wise to consider the obvious and laudable example of another iconoclastic big-city mayor: Michael Bloomberg.&nbsp;

Lurie&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/DanielLurie/status/1858561058241474677?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1858561058241474677%7Ctwgr%5Ed6f3e8d8b9d051056cfd5ad522696aa28b945c6b%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fsfstandard.com%2F2024%2F11%2F18%2Fsam-altman-tapped-for-luries-transition-team%2F" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">named his transition team Monday</a>, a group that includes OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and a handful of politicos. But as he thinks about the kind of leader he plans to be, he’d be wise to consider the obvious and laudable example of another iconoclastic big-city mayor: Michael Bloomberg.&nbsp;

When the financial information executive took office in New York City in the months after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, he too was a rich guy who had never been elected to anything. Like Lurie, he had begun his campaign far down in the polls and was widely expected to lose to a veteran politician, Public Advocate Mark Green.&nbsp;

When the financial information executive took office in New York City in the months after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, he too was a rich guy who had never been elected to anything. Like Lurie, he had begun his campaign far down in the polls and was widely expected to lose to a veteran politician, Public Advocate Mark Green.&nbsp;

And like Lurie, Bloomberg enjoyed the political flexibility that comes from having financed his own campaign. Though he won the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/28/nyregion/in-homestretch-of-campaign-mayor-endorses-bloomberg.html">last-minute endorsement</a> of Rudy Giuliani, then highly respected as “America’s mayor,” few of New York&#8217;s power players endorsed Bloomberg.

And like Lurie, Bloomberg enjoyed the political flexibility that comes from having financed his own campaign. Though he won the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/28/nyregion/in-homestretch-of-campaign-mayor-endorses-bloomberg.html">last-minute endorsement</a> of Rudy Giuliani, then highly respected as “America’s mayor,” few of New York's power players endorsed Bloomberg.

And like Lurie, Bloomberg enjoyed the political flexibility that comes from having financed his own campaign. Though he won the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/28/nyregion/in-homestretch-of-campaign-mayor-endorses-bloomberg.html">last-minute endorsement</a> of Rudy Giuliani, then highly respected as “America’s mayor,” few of New York&#8217;s power players endorsed Bloomberg.

That’s true for Lurie, too. In fact, Bloomberg himself didn’t back Lurie’s run for mayor; instead, he gave $1.2 million to the Breed campaign.

That’s true for Lurie, too. In fact, Bloomberg himself didn’t back Lurie’s run for mayor; instead, he gave $1.2 million to the Breed campaign.

Mayoral Candidate Daniel Lurie walks with Lily Lo, president of BeChinatown, as they visit merchants while Lurie campaigns in Chinatown in San Francisco on Friday, January, 2024. Lurie, the founder of anti-poverty nonprofit Tipping Point and an heir to the Levi Strauss fortune, is one of the most prominent challengers to Mayor London Breed in this year’s election.

<figure class="wp-block-image alignwide size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/20240130-asianvotemayorrace-222.jpg?w=1852" alt="A man in a white shirt crosses a busy city street, turning his head to the side. Buildings, people walking, and cars are visible in the background." class="wp-image-331538"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Like Michael Bloomberg once did in New York, Daniel Lurie will enter office with the political flexibility that comes from having financed his own campaign. </figcaption></figure>

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<figure class="wp-block-image alignwide size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/20240130-asianvotemayorrace-222.jpg?w=1852" alt="A man in a white shirt crosses a busy city street, turning his head to the side. Buildings, people walking, and cars are visible in the background." class="wp-image-331538"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Like Michael Bloomberg once did in New York, Daniel Lurie will enter office with the political flexibility that comes from having financed his own campaign. </figcaption></figure>

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-no-allegiance-to-anybody">‘No allegiance to anybody’</h2>

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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-no-allegiance-to-anybody">‘No allegiance to anybody’</h2>

In the 2000s, Bloomberg’s financial independence gave him a free hand to assemble a team in his own image, regardless of whose backs they had scratched before. “He had no allegiance to anybody,” recalled Dan Doctoroff, a powerful deputy mayor for economic development under Bloomberg, who came into government with little political but plenty of private-sector experience.&nbsp;

In the 2000s, Bloomberg’s financial independence gave him a free hand to assemble a team in his own image, regardless of whose backs they had scratched before. “He had no allegiance to anybody,” recalled Dan Doctoroff, a powerful deputy mayor for economic development under Bloomberg, who came into government with little political but plenty of private-sector experience.&nbsp;

A seasoned investment banker, Doctoroff had led a failed effort to bring the Olympic Games to New York, which he retooled into a grand redevelopment plan for the city. When Bloomberg won, Doctoroff was reluctant to sign on. “I turned him down twice,” he told me via Zoom last week. “Eventually I met with Mike, and he convinced me I could do everything I wanted to do more effectively inside City Hall.”

A seasoned investment banker, Doctoroff had led a failed effort to bring the Olympic Games to New York, which he retooled into a grand redevelopment plan for the city. When Bloomberg won, Doctoroff was reluctant to sign on. “I turned him down twice,” he told me via Zoom last week. “Eventually I met with Mike, and he convinced me I could do everything I wanted to do more effectively inside City Hall.”

In the wake of Lurie’s election victory, I spoke to former Bloomberg administration officials who said the mogul–mayor&#8217;s independence more than compensated for his inexperience. “Not owing anybody anything is a huge benefit if you play things right,” one told me.

In the wake of Lurie’s election victory, I spoke to former Bloomberg administration officials who said the mogul–mayor's independence more than compensated for his inexperience. “Not owing anybody anything is a huge benefit if you play things right,” one told me.

In the wake of Lurie’s election victory, I spoke to former Bloomberg administration officials who said the mogul–mayor&#8217;s independence more than compensated for his inexperience. “Not owing anybody anything is a huge benefit if you play things right,” one told me.

Peter Madonia, Bloomberg’s first chief of staff, said the mayor was liberated by not needing to repay campaign favors. “He was quite clear to me,” Madonia remembered of his boss. “He said, ‘Go find the best and the brightest.&#8217;”&nbsp;

Peter Madonia, Bloomberg’s first chief of staff, said the mayor was liberated by not needing to repay campaign favors. “He was quite clear to me,” Madonia remembered of his boss. “He said, ‘Go find the best and the brightest.'”&nbsp;

Peter Madonia, Bloomberg’s first chief of staff, said the mayor was liberated by not needing to repay campaign favors. “He was quite clear to me,” Madonia remembered of his boss. “He said, ‘Go find the best and the brightest.&#8217;”&nbsp;

Bloomberg famously recruited businesspeople in his own mold, including Doctoroff and Andrew Alper, a former Goldman Sachs partner he tapped to run the New York City Economic Development Corporation. But he named — and retained — plenty of seasoned hands, too. “Mike understood he needed people who had government experience at a high level,” said Madonia, himself a former official in the administration of Mayor Ed Koch.&nbsp;

Bloomberg famously recruited businesspeople in his own mold, including Doctoroff and Andrew Alper, a former Goldman Sachs partner he tapped to run the New York City Economic Development Corporation. But he named — and retained — plenty of seasoned hands, too. “Mike understood he needed people who had government experience at a high level,” said Madonia, himself a former official in the administration of Mayor Ed Koch.&nbsp;

Among the city officials Bloomberg retained were the heads of the prison, taxi regulation, and transportation agencies. His first deputy mayor for operations, a key post in New York, had held multiple city jobs before going to work for Bloomberg.

Among the city officials Bloomberg retained were the heads of the prison, taxi regulation, and transportation agencies. His first deputy mayor for operations, a key post in New York, had held multiple city jobs before going to work for Bloomberg.

The new mayor went out of his way to praise municipal employees, even knowing a multibillion-dollar budget deficit would require painful cuts. (<a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/11/07/daniel-lurie-wins-san-francisco-mayor/">Sound familiar?</a>) “He expressed tremendous respect for city workers,” said Ed Skyler, initially Bloomberg’s press secretary and later a deputy mayor for operations. “He went to union leaders and said, ‘I’m going to work with your members to make the city better.’”&nbsp;

Congrats, Daniel Lurie. Your new job is going to suck

The new mayor went out of his way to praise municipal employees, even knowing a multibillion-dollar budget deficit would require painful cuts. (<a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/11/07/daniel-lurie-wins-san-francisco-mayor/">Sound familiar?</a>) “He expressed tremendous respect for city workers,” said Ed Skyler, initially Bloomberg’s press secretary and later a deputy mayor for operations. “He went to union leaders and said, ‘I’m going to work with your members to make the city better.’”&nbsp;

Bloomberg was clear on his vision for the city, which featured some of the same priorities Lurie has today, including boosting public safety and building affordable housing. The New York mayor was equally clear about a few quirkier initiatives, including a ban on smoking in public spaces.&nbsp;

Bloomberg was clear on his vision for the city, which featured some of the same priorities Lurie has today, including boosting public safety and building affordable housing. The New York mayor was equally clear about a few quirkier initiatives, including a ban on smoking in public spaces.&nbsp;

Madonia said he pushed back on Bloomberg over the smoking ban, given the more pressing matters the city faced. “I said, ‘What the fuck do you want to do that for? We’ve got to lay off sanitation workers and correction officers and close firehouses.’ But he was resolute about it, and to his credit, he was right. It became a global success.”

Madonia said he pushed back on Bloomberg over the smoking ban, given the more pressing matters the city faced. “I said, ‘What the fuck do you want to do that for? We’ve got to lay off sanitation workers and correction officers and close firehouses.’ But he was resolute about it, and to his credit, he was right. It became a global success.”

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - NOVEMBER 2:  Dan Doctoroff, District Mayor of Economic Development, Jay Kriegel, Executive Director for NYC 2012, and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg talk before the United States Olympic Committee announced who would represent The U.S. in a bid to host the 2012 Summer Olympic games November 2, 2002 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. New York City won out over San Francisco and now moves on to the international competition. The International Olympic Committee will decide who will host the Olympic games in 2005.  (Photo by Tom Cooper/Getty Images)

<figure class="wp-block-image alignwide size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/gettyimages-1584368.jpg?w=2500" alt="Three men in suits are seated at a table, one whispering to another, while the third listens intently. Papers and a glass of ice water are on the table." class="wp-image-333420"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Dan Doctoroff, left, was one of the experienced outsiders brought into New York City&#8217;s government by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, right.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image alignwide size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/gettyimages-1584368.jpg?w=2500" alt="Three men in suits are seated at a table, one whispering to another, while the third listens intently. Papers and a glass of ice water are on the table." class="wp-image-333420"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Dan Doctoroff, left, was one of the experienced outsiders brought into New York City's government by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, right.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image alignwide size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/gettyimages-1584368.jpg?w=2500" alt="Three men in suits are seated at a table, one whispering to another, while the third listens intently. Papers and a glass of ice water are on the table." class="wp-image-333420"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Dan Doctoroff, left, was one of the experienced outsiders brought into New York City&#8217;s government by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, right.</figcaption></figure>

For all the similarities, there also are considerable differences between the two upstart mayors and their cities. By the time he became mayor, Bloomberg was a self-made billionaire and exceedingly capable CEO, with a reputation for leading deftly while delegating broadly. In the words of one admirer, “Mike is in a league of one.”&nbsp;

For all the similarities, there also are considerable differences between the two upstart mayors and their cities. By the time he became mayor, Bloomberg was a self-made billionaire and exceedingly capable CEO, with a reputation for leading deftly while delegating broadly. In the words of one admirer, “Mike is in a league of one.”&nbsp;

Lurie, by comparison, has far less operating experience than Bloomberg. His management highlights include running a 50-person non-profit and serving as the chair of the Super Bowl host committee. (Fun fact: Lurie modeled the nonprofit he founded, Tipping Point, on the organization where he worked in New York, Robin Hood, during the first years of the Bloomberg administration.)&nbsp;&nbsp;

Lurie, by comparison, has far less operating experience than Bloomberg. His management highlights include running a 50-person non-profit and serving as the chair of the Super Bowl host committee. (Fun fact: Lurie modeled the nonprofit he founded, Tipping Point, on the organization where he worked in New York, Robin Hood, during the first years of the Bloomberg administration.)&nbsp;&nbsp;

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lurie-s-disadvantage">Lurie&#8217;s disadvantage</h2>

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lurie-s-disadvantage">Lurie's disadvantage</h2>

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lurie-s-disadvantage">Lurie&#8217;s disadvantage</h2>

Bloomberg had another significant advantage over his San Francisco counterpart. New York&#8217;s mayoral system is so centralized that nearly every powerful player in the city government reported directly to him. This meant Bloomberg&#8217;s lieutenants kept a firm hand on city affairs.

Bloomberg had another significant advantage over his San Francisco counterpart. New York's mayoral system is so centralized that nearly every powerful player in the city government reported directly to him. This meant Bloomberg's lieutenants kept a firm hand on city affairs.

Bloomberg had another significant advantage over his San Francisco counterpart. New York&#8217;s mayoral system is so centralized that nearly every powerful player in the city government reported directly to him. This meant Bloomberg&#8217;s lieutenants kept a firm hand on city affairs.

“I drove the agencies to cooperate and collaborate,” said Doctoroff, who has studied San Francisco’s governance and notes. “We had a lot more power.” (Doctoroff pointed out that at least one member of Lurie’s transition team, Sara Fenske Bahat, worked for him in New York.)&nbsp;

“I drove the agencies to cooperate and collaborate,” said Doctoroff, who has studied San Francisco’s governance and notes. “We had a lot more power.” (Doctoroff pointed out that at least one member of Lurie’s transition team, Sara Fenske Bahat, worked for him in New York.)&nbsp;

Though San Franciscans debate the strength of the mayor’s office, it’s a fact that the city government’s reporting structure is byzantine, with many departments operating as independent fiefdoms with long-tenured heads. Some department chiefs can be hired or fired by powerful commissions, while other top officials report to the city administrator.

Though San Franciscans debate the strength of the mayor’s office, it’s a fact that the city government’s reporting structure is byzantine, with many departments operating as independent fiefdoms with long-tenured heads. Some department chiefs can be hired or fired by powerful commissions, while other top officials report to the city administrator.

As an example of how complicated things will be for Lurie: City Administrator Carmen Chu, who is three years into a five-year term that ends in February 2026, oversees 25 departments, divisions, and programs. Should Lurie want his own person in the post, he could remove Chu, but only with the approval of the Board of Supervisors. &nbsp;

As an example of how complicated things will be for Lurie: City Administrator Carmen Chu, who is three years into a five-year term that ends in February 2026, oversees 25 departments, divisions, and programs. Should Lurie want his own person in the post, he could remove Chu, but only with the approval of the Board of Supervisors. &nbsp;

Most City Hall prognosticators I spoke to believe Lurie will be able to put in place the people he wants, though perhaps not as quickly as he’d like. They expect the mayor-elect to look to the types of high-powered businesspeople who populated the <a href="https://tippingpoint.org/our-people-values/board-of-directors/">board of Tipping Point</a>. This in itself would constitute a major change — San Francisco has little tradition of well-off corporate titans joining city government for relatively paltry salaries.&nbsp;

Most City Hall prognosticators I spoke to believe Lurie will be able to put in place the people he wants, though perhaps not as quickly as he’d like. They expect the mayor-elect to look to the types of high-powered businesspeople who populated the <a href="https://tippingpoint.org/our-people-values/board-of-directors/">board of Tipping Point</a>. This in itself would constitute a major change — San Francisco has little tradition of well-off corporate titans joining city government for relatively paltry salaries.&nbsp;

Word is that Lurie is casting a wide net. Ironically, he could be assisted by the return of Donald Trump, which has meant there are oodles of talented Democrats, in California and nationally, who may be interested in a job. Until Nov. 6, these players were packing their bags for Washington to serve in a presumed Kamala Harris administration. Now they are considering their options.&nbsp;

Word is that Lurie is casting a wide net. Ironically, he could be assisted by the return of Donald Trump, which has meant there are oodles of talented Democrats, in California and nationally, who may be interested in a job. Until Nov. 6, these players were packing their bags for Washington to serve in a presumed Kamala Harris administration. Now they are considering their options.&nbsp;

As for those currently in top City Hall roles, they are bracing for impact. Last week, each city department submitted a memo for the new mayor detailing its operations and priorities. One wag in City Hall told me these documents will function as preliminary job interviews for department heads hoping to stay on.&nbsp;

As for those currently in top City Hall roles, they are bracing for impact. Last week, each city department submitted a memo for the new mayor detailing its operations and priorities. One wag in City Hall told me these documents will function as preliminary job interviews for department heads hoping to stay on.&nbsp;

Given the many congruences between the Lurie and Bloomberg stories, the question City Hall insiders will be asking in the coming weeks is to what extent Daniel can be like Mike. Will he make nice with the old guard while integrating some of the new? Or will he clean house and make way for an all-new City Family?&nbsp;

Given the many congruences between the Lurie and Bloomberg stories, the question City Hall insiders will be asking in the coming weeks is to what extent Daniel can be like Mike. Will he make nice with the old guard while integrating some of the new? Or will he clean house and make way for an all-new City Family?&nbsp;

The bureaucrats of San Francisco uneasily await the answer.

The bureaucrats of San Francisco uneasily await the answer.

Could Daniel Lurie be SF’s Michael Bloomberg?

Opinion: Could Daniel Lurie be SF’s Michael Bloomberg?

The City Family came out in force Tuesday for a venerable, if cringey, Election Day tradition: <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/11/05/photos-johns-grill-election-day/">free lunch at John’s Grill</a> near Union Square.

Photos: Free booze, food draws hundreds to historic John&#8217;s Grill for Election Day party

The City Family came out in force Tuesday for a venerable, if cringey, Election Day tradition: <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/11/05/photos-johns-grill-election-day/">free lunch at John’s Grill</a> near Union Square.

Former Mayor Willie Brown, still impressively nimble at 90, held court on the sidewalk outside. An ebullient Brooke Jenkins, the soon-to-be-reelected district attorney, promised me we’d have “four more years” to continue an earlier conversation about retail theft. Politicians in and out of office, including Aaron Peskin, Scott Wiener, Jane Kim, Joel Engardio, Catherine Stefani, Mark Leno, and David Chiu, all gripped and grinned their hearts out. 

Former Mayor Willie Brown, still impressively nimble at 90, held court on the sidewalk outside. An ebullient Brooke Jenkins, the soon-to-be-reelected district attorney, promised me we’d have “four more years” to continue an earlier conversation about retail theft. Politicians in and out of office, including Aaron Peskin, Scott Wiener, Jane Kim, Joel Engardio, Catherine Stefani, Mark Leno, and David Chiu, all gripped and grinned their hearts out.

But there was at least one key figure who didn’t make an appearance: Daniel Lurie, who by the end of Tuesday night looked to be <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/11/05/san-francisco-daniel-lurie-election-mayor-london-breed/">on a glide path </a>to becoming San Francisco&#8217;s next mayor. His absence, of course, was completely by design.

Daniel Lurie celebrates as London Breed cautions ‘this is not over’ in historic mayoral race

But there was at least one key figure who didn’t make an appearance: Daniel Lurie, who by the end of Tuesday night looked to be <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/11/05/san-francisco-daniel-lurie-election-mayor-london-breed/">on a glide path </a>to becoming San Francisco's next mayor. His absence, of course, was completely by design.

But there was at least one key figure who didn’t make an appearance: Daniel Lurie, who by the end of Tuesday night looked to be <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/11/05/san-francisco-daniel-lurie-election-mayor-london-breed/">on a glide path </a>to becoming San Francisco&#8217;s next mayor. His absence, of course, was completely by design.

That’s because, for all the talk of nastiness in local politics, the scene at John’s Grill was a vivid reminder that even adversaries inside City Hall are mostly fond of each other (the cup-half-full interpretation). Also, that these insiders are largely in cahoots to maintain their lavish, taxpayer-funded livelihoods (the empty-cup interpretation). Lurie and his minders wanted nothing to do with either of these narratives.

That’s because, for all the talk of nastiness in local politics, the scene at John’s Grill was a vivid reminder that even adversaries inside City Hall are mostly fond of each other (the cup-half-full interpretation). Also, that these insiders are largely in cahoots to maintain their lavish, taxpayer-funded livelihoods (the empty-cup interpretation). Lurie and his minders wanted nothing to do with either of these narratives.

I had gone to John’s to meet two people who, like their boss, didn’t find their way into the gated-off area of the festivities: Tyler Law and Han Zou, the campaign strategist and manager, respectively, of Lurie’s gold-plated bid to become mayor.&nbsp;

I had gone to John’s to meet two people who, like their boss, didn’t find their way into the gated-off area of the festivities: Tyler Law and Han Zou, the campaign strategist and manager, respectively, of Lurie’s gold-plated bid to become mayor.&nbsp;

“We didn’t even try to make it in,” Law texted me as we failed to locate each other in the scrum. “We’re just chilling on the outside. Like the outsiders we are.”

“We didn’t even try to make it in,” Law texted me as we failed to locate each other in the scrum. “We’re just chilling on the outside. Like the outsiders we are.”

The duo agreed to publicly discuss for the first time how they ran a campaign that, at minimum, took a little-known candidate who has never held elective office to the precipice of becoming mayor of San Francisco.

The duo agreed to publicly discuss for the first time how they ran a campaign that, at minimum, took a little-known candidate who has never held elective office to the precipice of becoming mayor of San Francisco.

Update: On Thursday night, with nearly 248,000 ballots tallied and<a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/11/05/san-francisco-election-results-november-2024/#mayor"> Lurie leading Mayor London Breed </a>by more than 26,000 ranked-choice votes, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/11/07/breed-to-concede-sf-mayors-race-as-frustrated-voters-seek-change/">Breed called her rival</a> to concede the election.

San Francisco live election results

Breed concedes mayor&#8217;s race as frustrated voters seek change

Update: On Thursday night, with nearly 248,000 ballots tallied and<a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/11/05/san-francisco-election-results-november-2024/#mayor"> Lurie leading Mayor London Breed </a>by more than 26,000 ranked-choice votes, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/11/07/breed-to-concede-sf-mayors-race-as-frustrated-voters-seek-change/">Breed called her rival</a> to concede the election.

Lurie&#8217;s lieutenants and I walked away from the mayhem and found a quiet ramen shop a few blocks away. Law, a 35-year-old Oakland native and campaign advertising specialist who’s worked on campaigns for Pete Buttigieg and Tim Kaine, told me that the foundational notion of Lurie’s campaign actually is a bit of a contradiction.

Lurie's lieutenants and I walked away from the mayhem and found a quiet ramen shop a few blocks away. Law, a 35-year-old Oakland native and campaign advertising specialist who’s worked on campaigns for Pete Buttigieg and Tim Kaine, told me that the foundational notion of Lurie’s campaign actually is a bit of a contradiction.

Lurie&#8217;s lieutenants and I walked away from the mayhem and found a quiet ramen shop a few blocks away. Law, a 35-year-old Oakland native and campaign advertising specialist who’s worked on campaigns for Pete Buttigieg and Tim Kaine, told me that the foundational notion of Lurie’s campaign actually is a bit of a contradiction.

“Daniel had never held elective office, but he was not an outsider,” Law said. “This is really important. We did not describe ourselves as outsiders. The press did. We just said he’s not a City Hall insider. There is a distinction there, although it’s nuanced. Daniel knows everyone around town, and they love him.”

“Daniel had never held elective office, but he was not an outsider,” Law said. “This is really important. We did not describe ourselves as outsiders. The press did. We just said he’s not a City Hall insider. There is a distinction there, although it’s nuanced. Daniel knows everyone around town, and they love him.”

Law is referring to Lurie’s years of hobnobbing as the benevolent head of the philanthropic organization Tipping Point. This goodwill, said Law, simultaneously made Lurie palatable to wide swaths of the electorate but also caused his opponents to underestimate him as a genial but weak candidate. “Daniel is a change candidate at a time the city was ready for change,” said Law. “We don’t know why nobody saw him coming.”

Law is referring to Lurie’s years of hobnobbing as the benevolent head of the philanthropic organization Tipping Point. This goodwill, said Law, simultaneously made Lurie palatable to wide swaths of the electorate but also caused his opponents to underestimate him as a genial but weak candidate. “Daniel is a change candidate at a time the city was ready for change,” said Law. “We don’t know why nobody saw him coming.”

How Daniel Lurie’s family millions launched him to the front of the mayor’s race

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Much has been made of the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/10/23/daniel-lurie-most-expensive-mayor-campaign/">money Lurie spent</a> on his own campaign, which he self-financed to the tune of $8 million. Law explained that his team took that largesse and, in his telling, ran a different campaign from Lurie’s opponents.&nbsp;

Daniel Lurie has spent $10 per SF resident on his mayoral bid

Much has been made of the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/10/23/daniel-lurie-most-expensive-mayor-campaign/">money Lurie spent</a> on his own campaign, which he self-financed to the tune of $8 million. Law explained that his team took that largesse and, in his telling, ran a different campaign from Lurie’s opponents.&nbsp;

“We knew how to run a big campaign,” he said, noting, for example, that Breed had never received more than about 90,000 first-choice votes in a single campaign, due to the lower turnout of her earlier mayoral races. Meanwhile, Mark Farrell, an interim mayor for six months, had never run a race citywide. Neither had Peskin.&nbsp;

“We knew how to run a big campaign,” he said, noting, for example, that Breed had never received more than about 90,000 first-choice votes in a single campaign, due to the lower turnout of her earlier mayoral races. Meanwhile, Mark Farrell, an interim mayor for six months, had never run a race citywide. Neither had Peskin.&nbsp;

“What we felt looking across the competition was that they were running a supervisor campaign,” said Law.

“What we felt looking across the competition was that they were running a supervisor campaign,” said Law.

Lurie, instead, availed himself of the levers of large-scale politicking, beginning with massive digital-ad buys in early August, followed by ubiquitous TV spots several weeks later.

Lurie, instead, availed himself of the levers of large-scale politicking, beginning with massive digital-ad buys in early August, followed by ubiquitous TV spots several weeks later.

The ads served to boost Lurie’s name recognition. Political types call this “introducing” the candidate to voters. Zou, who joined the campaign in the spring after working on the primary victory of Lateefah Simon for a safely Democratic congressional seat in the East Bay, is a “ground game” expert. The 29-year-old from Connecticut told me the campaign knocked on 220,000 doors, with special emphasis on Chinese voters. These efforts appear to have paid off, with a <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/election/article/sf-mayor-neighborhood-19886866.php">data report from The Chronicle</a> showing that Lurie had secured more first-round votes within majority-Asian neighborhoods than any other candidate for mayor.

The ads served to boost Lurie’s name recognition. Political types call this “introducing” the candidate to voters. Zou, who joined the campaign in the spring after working on the primary victory of Lateefah Simon for a safely Democratic congressional seat in the East Bay, is a “ground game” expert. The 29-year-old from Connecticut told me the campaign knocked on 220,000 doors, with special emphasis on Chinese voters. These efforts appear to have paid off, with a <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/election/article/sf-mayor-neighborhood-19886866.php">data report from The Chronicle</a> showing that Lurie had secured more first-round votes within majority-Asian neighborhoods than any other candidate for mayor.

Lurie campaign canvassers carried explicit scripts, tailored to voter preferences. When talking to Farrell supporters, Law said, Lurie campaign workers were instructed to point out that Farrell and Breed voted together 95% of the time on the Board of Supervisors. They may <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/10/07/the-nasty-decade-long-feud-making-the-mayors-race-a-grudge-match/">personally loathe each other</a>, in other words, but politically they were in lockstep.&nbsp;

The long, ugly feud that&#8217;s making the mayor&#8217;s race so nasty

Lurie campaign canvassers carried explicit scripts, tailored to voter preferences. When talking to Farrell supporters, Law said, Lurie campaign workers were instructed to point out that Farrell and Breed voted together 95% of the time on the Board of Supervisors. They may <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/10/07/the-nasty-decade-long-feud-making-the-mayors-race-a-grudge-match/">personally loathe each other</a>, in other words, but politically they were in lockstep.&nbsp;

Ultimately, the Lurie campaign got a gift in the form of <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/10/25/san-francisco-mayor-candidates-scandals/">fresh corruption scandals</a> for Breed and <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/11/04/farrell-to-pay-108000-in-ethics-commission-settlement-for-election-violations/">repeated ethical violations </a>for Farrell. It was at this point that the candidate who began relatively unknown but with plenty of goodwill — and few negatives other than the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/10/29/san-francisco-mayor-daniel-lurie-wealth-campaign-expensive-levi-strauss/">stigma of inherited wealth</a> — began to surge.

A scandal-filled guide to the accusations against SF mayor candidates

Farrell to pay largest ethics penalty in SF history over alleged campaign violations

How Daniel Lurie&#8217;s family millions launched him to the front of the mayor&#8217;s race

Ultimately, the Lurie campaign got a gift in the form of <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/10/25/san-francisco-mayor-candidates-scandals/">fresh corruption scandals</a> for Breed and <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/11/04/farrell-to-pay-108000-in-ethics-commission-settlement-for-election-violations/">repeated ethical violations </a>for Farrell. It was at this point that the candidate who began relatively unknown but with plenty of goodwill — and few negatives other than the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/10/29/san-francisco-mayor-daniel-lurie-wealth-campaign-expensive-levi-strauss/">stigma of inherited wealth</a> — began to surge.

Daniel Lurie may be the richest person to ever run for mayor of SF. What does he own?

A Lurie win clearly will put the City Family (ie, just about everybody gathered Tuesday at John&#8217;s Grill) on notice. A Lurie administration may end up retaining some department heads and deputies, but they will all have to reapply for their jobs, Lurie has said.

A Lurie win clearly will put the City Family (ie, just about everybody gathered Tuesday at John's Grill) on notice. A Lurie administration may end up retaining some department heads and deputies, but they will all have to reapply for their jobs, Lurie has said.

A Lurie win clearly will put the City Family (ie, just about everybody gathered Tuesday at John&#8217;s Grill) on notice. A Lurie administration may end up retaining some department heads and deputies, but they will all have to reapply for their jobs, Lurie has said.

This tension was evident in the near-total absence of elected officials at Lurie’s election party in the Mission Tuesday night. It wasn’t because they were pooped from their boisterous lunch, but because the overwhelming majority of San Francisco officeholders lined up behind the incumbent mayor. So, too, did the Democratic County Central Committee, which, despite being dominated by the vaunted “Democrats for Change” who swept into office in March, voted against change by endorsing Breed for mayor.

This tension was evident in the near-total absence of elected officials at Lurie’s election party in the Mission Tuesday night. It wasn’t because they were pooped from their boisterous lunch, but because the overwhelming majority of San Francisco officeholders lined up behind the incumbent mayor. So, too, did the Democratic County Central Committee, which, despite being dominated by the vaunted “Democrats for Change” who swept into office in March, voted against change by endorsing Breed for mayor.

The only muckety muck I&#8217;m certain was at the Lurie party was State Assemblymember Matt Haney, who told me he offered Lurie “whatever help he needs.” But that was about it in terms of &#8220;Insiders.&#8221; The City Family that Lurie has promised to shake up may have been shaking in their boots Tuesday night.

The only muckety muck I'm certain was at the Lurie party was State Assemblymember Matt Haney, who told me he offered Lurie “whatever help he needs.” But that was about it in terms of "Insiders." The City Family that Lurie has promised to shake up may have been shaking in their boots Tuesday night.

The only muckety muck I&#8217;m certain was at the Lurie party was State Assemblymember Matt Haney, who told me he offered Lurie “whatever help he needs.” But that was about it in terms of &#8220;Insiders.&#8221; The City Family that Lurie has promised to shake up may have been shaking in their boots Tuesday night.

In an anodyne, slogan-filled speech he read from prepared notes, Lurie promised to work with his opponents and their backers if he wins. That the nice, rich guy rose to the moment in a campaign that was supposedly too nasty for his kind portends well if he ends up prevailing in this race. Maybe his promises to demand accountability from the long-entrenched City Family will be kept. Maybe he is just enough of an outsider to rattle the insiders.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In an anodyne, slogan-filled speech he read from prepared notes, Lurie promised to work with his opponents and their backers if he wins. That the nice, rich guy rose to the moment in a campaign that was supposedly too nasty for his kind portends well if he ends up prevailing in this race. Maybe his promises to demand accountability from the long-entrenched City Family will be kept. Maybe he is just enough of an outsider to rattle the insiders.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Indeed, should Lurie win, the question will immediately become whether a cleverly run — if also self-endowed and exceedingly fortunate — campaign can translate into governing. As a reward for his troubles, Lurie will inherit a city with an $800 million deficit and a litany of other complex problems. The question is whether the new mayor will restore or dismantle the machine that created them in the first place.

Indeed, should Lurie win, the question will immediately become whether a cleverly run — if also self-endowed and exceedingly fortunate — campaign can translate into governing. As a reward for his troubles, Lurie will inherit a city with an $800 million deficit and a litany of other complex problems. The question is whether the new mayor will restore or dismantle the machine that created them in the first place.

Judging from the Election Day optics, a dismantling may be in order.

Judging from the Election Day optics, a dismantling may be in order.

Daniel Lurie threaded a political needle in the mayor’s race

Opinion: Daniel Lurie threaded a political needle in the mayor’s race

Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez

So, wealthy Levi Strauss heir Daniel Lurie is mayor-elect. His wish to lead San Francisco has come to pass, the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/11/05/san-francisco-election-results-november-2024/#mayor">newest ballot returns show</a>.&nbsp;

So, wealthy Levi Strauss heir Daniel Lurie is mayor-elect. His wish to lead San Francisco has come to pass, the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/11/05/san-francisco-election-results-november-2024/#mayor">newest ballot returns show</a>.&nbsp;

Congratulations, said outgoing Mayor London Breed. Here’s the key to the broken-down house. The roof is about to collapse, there’s mold in the furniture, no one paid the electric bill, and there’s a crazy guy who just moved in down the street who’s threatening to light the whole place on fire.&nbsp;

Congratulations, said outgoing Mayor London Breed. Here’s the key to the broken-down house. The roof is about to collapse, there’s mold in the furniture, no one paid the electric bill, and there’s a crazy guy who just moved in down the street who’s threatening to light the whole place on fire.&nbsp;

To wit: Lurie is inheriting San Francisco’s $800 million budget deficit, an outgoing gift Breed wrapped in a bow and left on his doorstep.&nbsp;

To wit: Lurie is inheriting San Francisco’s $800 million budget deficit, an outgoing gift Breed wrapped in a bow and left on his doorstep.&nbsp;

Breed concedes mayor’s race as frustrated voters seek change

Perhaps even more daunting: at least $400 million of San Francisco’s annual budget comes from the federal government, the purse-strings of which will soon be held by president-elect Donald Trump.&nbsp;

Perhaps even more daunting: at least $400 million of San Francisco’s annual budget comes from the federal government, the purse-strings of which will soon be held by president-elect Donald Trump.&nbsp;

Mayoral Candidate Daniel Lurie speaks with Rosita Young about recent robberies and crime while campaigning in Chinatown in San Francisco on Friday, January, 2024. Lurie, the founder of anti-poverty nonprofit Tipping Point and an heir to the Levi Strauss fortune, is one of the most prominent challengers to Mayor London Breed in this year’s election.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/20240130-asianvotemayorrace-06.jpeg?w=1876" alt="A man in a white shirt stands pensively in a jewelry store, with display cases of rings and necklaces behind him and a hand pointing at one case." class="wp-image-330771"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Mayoral Candidate Daniel Lurie listens to Chinatown business owners about recent robberies and crime while campaigning in Chinatown in January. </figcaption></figure>

And just in case anyone hasn’t heard, <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/91162158/san-francisco-politics-proxy-for-2024-election">he isn’t exactly the biggest fan of San Francisco</a>.&nbsp;

And just in case anyone hasn’t heard, <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/91162158/san-francisco-politics-proxy-for-2024-election">he isn’t exactly the biggest fan of San Francisco</a>.&nbsp;

San Francisco’s downtown offices have emptied out post-pandemic, blowing a hole in the city’s tax revenue wider than the Golden Gate Bridge. Breed tackled the budget earlier this year to much fanfare, but the devil in the details may flame Lurie from the start.&nbsp;

San Francisco’s downtown offices have emptied out post-pandemic, blowing a hole in the city’s tax revenue wider than the Golden Gate Bridge. Breed tackled the budget earlier this year to much fanfare, but the devil in the details may flame Lurie from the start.&nbsp;

The controller’s office did not answer a request for comment in time for publication. Breed’s office was tied up with a concession announcement at the time of this writing.

The controller’s office did not answer a request for comment in time for publication. Breed’s office was tied up with a concession announcement at the time of this writing.

But in its <a href="https://www.sf.gov/sites/default/files/2024-06/FY24-25%20and%20FY25-26%20Revenue%20Letter_FINAL.pdf">annual revenue letter</a> — perhaps better known as the “we told you so” screed — the controller’s office noted much of this year’s budget “relies heavily on one-time sources to balance the budget” and that policymakers will need to “consider options for constraining cost growth.” Depletion of rainy day reserves, wage freezes, staff furlough days and service reductions are all tools in the toolkit, they said.&nbsp;

But in its <a href="https://www.sf.gov/sites/default/files/2024-06/FY24-25%20and%20FY25-26%20Revenue%20Letter_FINAL.pdf">annual revenue letter</a> — perhaps better known as the “we told you so” screed — the controller’s office noted much of this year’s budget “relies heavily on one-time sources to balance the budget” and that policymakers will need to “consider options for constraining cost growth.” Depletion of rainy day reserves, wage freezes, staff furlough days and service reductions are all tools in the toolkit, they said.&nbsp;

But, ultimately, the controller cautioned that the city’s $16 billion budget faces structural problems. Translation? We spend more than we earn. And that means an experienced budget surgeon needs to start making cuts.

But, ultimately, the controller cautioned that the city’s $16 billion budget faces structural problems. Translation? We spend more than we earn. And that means an experienced budget surgeon needs to start making cuts.

Lurie’s opponents derided his lack of government experience, <a href="https://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/daniel-lurie-sf-election-19874582.php">calling him the ultimate “nepo baby.”</a> His <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-lurie-%E4%B8%B9%E5%B0%BC%E7%88%BE-%E7%BE%85%E5%81%89-5bba694/">resume</a> mostly consists of capitalizing on his personal fortune and connections to wealthy elites to start a nonprofit, Tipping Point Community, that disbursed dollars to anti-poverty groups. He’ll now go from leading a group <a href="https://tippingpoint.org/our-people-values/team/staff/">with roughly 50 employees</a> to one with more than 36,000.

Lurie’s opponents derided his lack of government experience, <a href="https://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/daniel-lurie-sf-election-19874582.php">calling him the ultimate “nepo baby.”</a> His <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-lurie-%E4%B8%B9%E5%B0%BC%E7%88%BE-%E7%BE%85%E5%81%89-5bba694/">resume</a> mostly consists of capitalizing on his personal fortune and connections to wealthy elites to start a nonprofit, Tipping Point Community, that disbursed dollars to anti-poverty groups. He’ll now go from leading a group <a href="https://tippingpoint.org/our-people-values/team/staff/">with roughly 50 employees</a> to one with more than 36,000.

In a way, San Francisco has been here before – Frank Jordan was police chief when he won San Francisco’s mayor race in 1991, with no experience building a City Hall budget. Former city controller Ed Harrington had a front row seat, <a href="https://www.spur.org/about/board/ed-harrington">serving as San Francisco’s chief accounting officer </a>from 1991 to 2008.&nbsp;

In a way, San Francisco has been here before – Frank Jordan was police chief when he won San Francisco’s mayor race in 1991, with no experience building a City Hall budget. Former city controller Ed Harrington had a front row seat, <a href="https://www.spur.org/about/board/ed-harrington">serving as San Francisco’s chief accounting officer </a>from 1991 to 2008.&nbsp;

There is a silver lining, Harrington said, though it is the tiniest sliver of one. Many elected officials find themselves trigger-shy at cutting departments. They know that axing 10% of the Department of Public Health’s budget will mean, say, a particular outreach program on flu shots may get the boot. And cutting 5% from the department of homelessness may mean fewer people living on the streets will get connected to, say, dental services.&nbsp;

There is a silver lining, Harrington said, though it is the tiniest sliver of one. Many elected officials find themselves trigger-shy at cutting departments. They know that axing 10% of the Department of Public Health’s budget will mean, say, a particular outreach program on flu shots may get the boot. And cutting 5% from the department of homelessness may mean fewer people living on the streets will get connected to, say, dental services.&nbsp;

“In some ways, not knowing shit makes it easier to make budget decisions. You don&#8217;t have to know or care what the effect is,” Harrington said. “It&#8217;s horrible from a service perspective, it&#8217;s amazing from a budget finalization perspective.”

“In some ways, not knowing shit makes it easier to make budget decisions. You don't have to know or care what the effect is,” Harrington said. “It's horrible from a service perspective, it's amazing from a budget finalization perspective.”

“In some ways, not knowing shit makes it easier to make budget decisions. You don&#8217;t have to know or care what the effect is,” Harrington said. “It&#8217;s horrible from a service perspective, it&#8217;s amazing from a budget finalization perspective.”

During his mayoral term, Jordan <a href="https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-01-12-me-275-story.html">infamously called on all departments</a> to make 10% cuts to close a $150 million budget gap — promising it would happen without reducing services.

During his mayoral term, Jordan <a href="https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-01-12-me-275-story.html">infamously called on all departments</a> to make 10% cuts to close a $150 million budget gap — promising it would happen without reducing services.

It didn’t quite happen that way, Harrington recalled. But when the streets didn’t get clean because the money wasn’t there, Jordan could easily claim it wasn’t his fault. Jordan just told them to make cuts. Any service impacts were the fault of department heads’ choices.

It didn’t quite happen that way, Harrington recalled. But when the streets didn’t get clean because the money wasn’t there, Jordan could easily claim it wasn’t his fault. Jordan just told them to make cuts. Any service impacts were the fault of department heads’ choices.

“That was a chicken shit way to do it,” Harrington said.&nbsp;

“That was a chicken shit way to do it,” Harrington said.&nbsp;

Former President Donald Trump speaks at his Mar-a-Lago estate on April 4, 2023, in Palm Beach, Fla.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/AP23138578068682-scaled.jpg?w=2500" alt="A person is speaking into a microphone, wearing a suit and red tie. The lighting highlights their facial details, and they appear to be looking upward." class="wp-image-161776"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Donald Trump threatened to cut federal funding from sanctuary cities, including San Francisco, during his first term. </figcaption></figure>

While Lurie repeatedly said on the campaign trail that he is not a “City Hall insider,” he’s going to need them if he’s going to pull the budget together in one piece, Harrington said. Without experienced hands at the wheel, department heads are known to present budget cuts that they know city leaders will essentially be pressured to reverse.&nbsp;

While Lurie repeatedly said on the campaign trail that he is not a “City Hall insider,” he’s going to need them if he’s going to pull the budget together in one piece, Harrington said. Without experienced hands at the wheel, department heads are known to present budget cuts that they know city leaders will essentially be pressured to reverse.&nbsp;

For instance, Harrington said, the police budget might show 10% cuts on paper. Overtime? Sure, we’ll snip it out. But when a dignitary visits — like say, President Trump — is the mayor going to tell the police they can’t provide a motorcade because it wasn’t in their budget?

For instance, Harrington said, the police budget might show 10% cuts on paper. Overtime? Sure, we’ll snip it out. But when a dignitary visits — like say, President Trump — is the mayor going to tell the police they can’t provide a motorcade because it wasn’t in their budget?

“You’re going to have a hard time knowing who to trust” when taking office as a newcomer, Harrington said. “If [departments] want to sabotage you, they’re expert at that.”

“You’re going to have a hard time knowing who to trust” when taking office as a newcomer, Harrington said. “If [departments] want to sabotage you, they’re expert at that.”

Speaking of Trump, he is, of course, the wild card in this massive budget.&nbsp;

Speaking of Trump, he is, of course, the wild card in this massive budget.&nbsp;

In his first term in office, Trump <a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trump-order-to-withhold-funding-from-sanctuary-cities-is-illegal-court-says">threatened to cut federal spending from sanctuary cities</a>, including San Francisco, which a federal court ultimately halted. He also used the specter of homelessness to threaten Environmental Protection Agency funding, <a href="https://www.salon.com/2019/09/19/trump-wants-to-punish-california-over-homelessness-after-denying-funds-to-fight-homelessness/">crowing that used needles</a> were polluting the ocean. <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2019/11/03/trump-federal-aid-california-newsom-065045">Federal disaster aid</a> was also on Trump’s chopping block.

In his first term in office, Trump <a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trump-order-to-withhold-funding-from-sanctuary-cities-is-illegal-court-says">threatened to cut federal spending from sanctuary cities</a>, including San Francisco, which a federal court ultimately halted. He also used the specter of homelessness to threaten Environmental Protection Agency funding, <a href="https://www.salon.com/2019/09/19/trump-wants-to-punish-california-over-homelessness-after-denying-funds-to-fight-homelessness/">crowing that used needles</a> were polluting the ocean. <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2019/11/03/trump-federal-aid-california-newsom-065045">Federal disaster aid</a> was also on Trump’s chopping block.

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