What Is 21st Mayor of San Francisco

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: Daniel Lurie is the 45th and current Mayor of San Francisco, taking office on January 6, 2024. He succeeded London Breed, the 44th mayor, following the November 2023 election.

Key Facts

Daniel Lurie was sworn in as San Francisco's 45th mayor on January 6, 2024.
London Breed served as the 44th mayor from 2018 to 2024, making her the first Black woman in the role.
The mayor serves a four-year term, with elections held every four years on a November cycle.
San Francisco has had 45 mayors since the city's incorporation in 1850, including acting mayors.
The current mayor oversees a city budget of approximately $14.6 billion for fiscal year 2023–2024.

Overview

The Mayor of San Francisco is the chief executive of the City and County of San Francisco, a position established in 1850 upon California's statehood. The mayor is responsible for executing city laws, managing the municipal budget, and overseeing key departments such as public safety, transportation, and housing.

As of January 2024, the office is held by Daniel Lurie, a civic leader and former CEO of Levi Strauss & Co. philanthropy initiatives. The role has evolved significantly over time, adapting to the city’s changing demographics, economic challenges, and political landscape.

Daniel Lurie became the 45th mayor after winning the November 2023 election, defeating incumbent London Breed in a runoff.
The mayor is elected in a citywide vote and serves a four-year term, with no term limits currently in place.
London Breed, the 44th mayor, served from 2018 to 2024 and was the first Black woman to hold the office.
The mayor’s annual salary is $364,582 as of 2023, one of the highest among U.S. mayors.
San Francisco operates under a strong mayor system, giving the mayor significant control over policy and appointments.

How It Works

The office of mayor in San Francisco functions within a charter-based government structure that outlines election procedures, powers, and responsibilities. The mayor is directly elected by residents and holds authority over the executive branch of city government.

Term: The mayor serves a four-year term, with elections held in November of even-numbered years. There are no term limits, allowing for potential re-election.
Election Process: Candidates run citywide; if no candidate wins a majority, a runoff occurs between the top two finishers in the November general election.
Duties: The mayor proposes the annual budget, appoints department heads, and oversees city services such as police, fire, and public works.
Veto Power: The mayor can veto legislation passed by the Board of Supervisors, though the Board can override with a two-thirds majority.
Succession: If the mayor resigns or is removed, the President of the Board of Supervisors assumes the role temporarily.
Residence: Unlike some cities, San Francisco does not provide an official mayoral residence; the mayor works from City Hall.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of recent mayors of San Francisco, highlighting key terms, achievements, and tenure details.

Mayor	Term Start	Term End	Key Achievement	Notable Fact
Daniel Lurie	January 2024	Incumbent	First mayor from outside city government in decades	Former nonprofit leader, no prior elected office
London Breed	2018	2024	First Black woman mayor	Appointed after Ed Lee’s death, then elected twice
Ed Lee	2011	2017	First Asian American mayor	Died in office; served as appointed and elected mayor
Gavin Newsom	2004	2011	Expanded same-sex marriage rights	Later became Lieutenant Governor and Governor of California
Willie Brown	1996	2004	Revitalized downtown development	Longtime Assembly Speaker before becoming mayor

This table illustrates the diverse backgrounds and milestones of recent mayors. While some, like Newsom and Brown, had deep political roots, others like Lurie represent a shift toward civic leadership from outside traditional politics. Each mayor has shaped the city during pivotal moments—from economic booms to housing crises.

Why It Matters

The mayor of San Francisco plays a crucial role in shaping policies that affect over 800,000 residents and influence national conversations on technology, housing, and social equity. With control over a multibillion-dollar budget and key appointments, the office holds significant sway in urban governance.

The mayor influences housing policy, critical in a city with median home prices exceeding $1.2 million.
Public safety reforms under the mayor impact crime rates, which rose by 12% in 2022 compared to the previous year.
Transportation initiatives, such as expansions to Muni and bike infrastructure, are directed by the mayor’s office.
The mayor represents San Francisco in national and international forums, advocating for climate action and tech innovation.
Homelessness, affecting over 8,000 individuals in the city, remains a top policy challenge shaped by mayoral leadership.
The mayor’s stance on business regulation affects Silicon Valley’s relationship with city government and economic investment.

As a global city at the intersection of technology, culture, and activism, San Francisco’s mayoral leadership continues to set precedents for urban policy nationwide.