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Phil Matier: Re-Election Signals Behind The Scenes Victory For SF's Chiu

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – San Francisco's Board of Supervisors welcomed its two newest members on Tuesday while also re-electing Board President David Chiu.

Chiu was unanimously re-elected after supervisors Jane Kim and Malia Cohen withdrew their nominations. This is his third term as board president.

Phil Matier: San Francisco Welcomes Two New Board Members

Seen mostly as the board member that leans toward the moderate to conservative side, Chiu was facing potential challenges from Kim and Cohen, but neither could muster the necessary six votes needed to win the majority of the 11-member board. The so-called progressives were helped by an interesting ally, Rose Pak, a close friend of Mayor Ed Lee and Chinatown political powerhouse.

Pak, who had a falling out with Chiu over his decision to run for mayor last year and his opposition to the 8 Washington project, worked to sway the remainder of the board. She already had support from John Avalos and David Campos. But Scott Wiener, who was also seeking the presidency, threw his support behind Chiu and new Supervisor Norman Yee, seen as a key vote, did the same.

Yee and London Breed, the board's newest supervisors, were sworn-in on Tuesday along with the rest of their colleagues.

You can hear Phil Matier's comments Monday through Friday at 7:50am and 5:50pm on KCBS All News 740AM and 106.9FM.

(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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