In which rejecting far-left shibboleths works

User:Hayden Blaz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

SF's Mayor Lurie scores a big media win on ABC's This Week, as he distances himself from SF's extremist, left-wing past. ABC News summarizes.

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie says his city is on the upswing after years of high crime, a widespread drug epidemic and an exodus of businesses.

"Our progressive values sort of overtook common sense," Lurie told "This Week" co-anchor Jonathan Karl in his first network sit-down interview since taking office one year ago.

A political outsider and an heir to the Levi Strauss fortune, Lurie was elected in the fourteenth round of ranked-choice voting in 2024, beating incumbent London Breed by 10 points. He ran on a pledge to fix public safety and revitalize the city, which famously struggled to rebound after the COVID pandemic.

Now, both property and violent crime are down and some retail stores are returning, according to Lurie. San Francisco is "a city that has its good vibes back," he said.

"We lost our way as a city," Lurie went on. "I think we got away from the basics of government. Now, today, if you come to San Francisco to commit a crime, we're going to catch you and we're going to prosecute you."

Lurie pointed to the 44% drop in motor vehicle theft, which skyrocketed in the city after the pandemic.

"There's nothing progressive about car break-ins. You know, you could drive by blocks and blocks and see car windows smashed," Lurie added. "This past year, we're at a 22-year-low when it comes to car break-ins. We have fundamentally shifted what's happening and how people feel."

The moderate Democrat has enjoyed popular polling numbers -- his approval rating hit 73% in July among registered San Francisco voters, according to a San Francisco Chronicle poll.

Crime fell 25% in 2025, according to police statistics, but the city is still struggling with open-air drug markets. Lurie has increased police enforcement but acknowledged there’s still work to do.

Another campaign pledge Lurie made was to address the city’s homelessness and the lack of affordable housing. One of his biggest legislative victories last year was passing his Family Zoning Plan, which allows for taller and denser housing on the north and west sides of the city. He has also celebrated the lowest tally of homeless tents in San Francisco since 2019.

Lurie has partnered with the business community to supplement city programs, such as announcing private funding for new shelter beds and revitalizing the city’s downtown.

"I am pro-small business. I am pro bringing conventions back to San Francisco. I'm pro-big business being here in San Francisco and my demand of the business community is get involved in our city, get involved in our public schools and in our arts and culture," Lurie said.

In which rejecting far-left shibboleths works

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