What Is 31st Mayor of San Francisco

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 31st Mayor of San Francisco was Willie L. Brown Jr., who served from January 8, 1996, to January 8, 2004. He was the first African American to hold the office and a prominent figure in California politics.

Key Facts

Willie L. Brown Jr. served as the 31st Mayor of San Francisco from January 8, 1996, to January 8, 2004.
He was the first African American mayor of San Francisco, marking a historic milestone in the city's political history.
Before becoming mayor, Brown served as Speaker of the California State Assembly from 1980 to 1995.
His tenure as mayor spanned two four-year terms, totaling eight years in office.
Brown was known for revitalizing downtown San Francisco and strengthening ties between city government and the business community.

Overview

Willie L. Brown Jr. became the 31st Mayor of San Francisco after winning the 1995 mayoral election and taking office on January 8, 1996. His tenure marked a transformative era in city governance, characterized by political savvy, economic revitalization, and high-profile leadership.

As a Democrat with decades of legislative experience, Brown brought a national profile to the role. His administration focused on modernizing city infrastructure, improving public safety, and attracting private investment to downtown San Francisco.

Willie L. Brown Jr. was officially sworn in as mayor on January 8, 1996, following a decisive victory in the 1995 runoff election against former Mayor Frank Jordan.
He won re-election in 1999 with over 64% of the vote, demonstrating strong public support during his first term.
Prior to becoming mayor, Brown served 15 years as Speaker of the California State Assembly, making him one of the most powerful legislators in state history.
His administration prioritized the redevelopment of the Yerba Buena neighborhood, leading to the construction of Moscone Center expansion and new cultural facilities.
Brown played a key role in securing funding for the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge retrofit, a major infrastructure project initiated during his term.

How It Works

The office of Mayor of San Francisco operates under a strong mayoral system, where the mayor serves as chief executive with broad powers over budgets, appointments, and policy direction. The selection and structure of the mayoral term are defined by city charter.

Term: The mayor serves a four-year term with a limit of two consecutive terms. Willie Brown served two full terms from 1996 to 2004.
The mayor is elected via a ranked-choice voting system, though this was not in place during Brown’s elections; he won under a traditional runoff system.
As chief executive, the mayor appoints department heads, including the police and fire chiefs, subject to Board of Supervisors approval.
The mayor proposes the city’s annual budget, which in Brown’s final year exceeded $5.8 billion, shaping priorities in housing, transit, and public services.
Brown expanded the mayor’s influence through high-profile media appearances and cultivated relationships with tech leaders during the dot-com boom.
He established the Office of Cannabis in his final year to regulate medical marijuana dispensaries, a progressive policy move for the time.
Brown’s administration oversaw the launch of SFpark, an early smart-city initiative to manage parking demand using real-time data.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing Willie Brown’s mayoral tenure with other recent mayors highlights differences in leadership style, policy focus, and political context.

Mayor	Term Years	Party	Key Initiative	Notable First
Willie L. Brown Jr.	1996–2004	Democrat	Downtown revitalization	First African American mayor
Gavin Newsom	2004–2011	Democrat	Universal healthcare access	Legalized same-sex marriage
Ed Lee	2011–2017	Democrat	Tax incentives for tech firms	First Chinese American mayor
London Breed	2018–2024	Democrat	Housing development push	First African American woman mayor
Daniel Lurie	2024–present	Independent	Homelessness crisis reform	First non-partisan mayor in decades

This comparison shows how each mayor responded to the city’s evolving challenges. Brown’s era laid the groundwork for economic growth that later mayors built upon, particularly in technology and urban development.

Why It Matters

Willie Brown’s mayoralty reshaped San Francisco’s political landscape and set precedents for future leadership. His influence extended beyond city limits, impacting state politics and Democratic strategy.

He broke racial barriers as the first African American mayor, inspiring greater diversity in city government leadership.
Brown’s fundraising prowess helped modernize city campaigns, with his 1999 re-election costing over $5 million.
His support for LGBTQ+ rights, including hosting Pride events at City Hall, strengthened San Francisco’s reputation as a progressive leader.
The expansion of the Moscone Center under his watch boosted tourism and convention revenue significantly.
He mentored future leaders like Gavin Newsom, who succeeded him and later became Lieutenant Governor.
Brown’s legacy includes a more centralized, media-savvy mayoral office that remains influential in California politics today.

Ultimately, Willie L. Brown Jr.’s tenure as the 31st mayor established a model of dynamic, high-profile leadership that continues to shape San Francisco’s governance.