Mayor Breed Re-Elected In San Francisco; DA, District 5 Races Neck And Neck

SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX 5) -- Incumbent Mayor London Breed cruised to a full term as San Francisco's leader, claiming 68% of the vote late Tuesday evening.

At a time of internationally infamous problems on the streets, election day in San Francisco was expected to have relatively low turnout.

"That's true. It doesn't really meet the gravity of what's going on in the city," said San Francisco voter Dennis Jones. "There's a lot of homelessness, needles around, crap on the street. It's really mental health services that we need to talk about here."

This is an extremely wealthy city, now struggling famously to carry the weight of some very public problems. Mayor Breed was up for re-election in a race some considered effectively uncontested.

"We, of course, know that we need to do more," Breed said while supporting her ally in the city's only race for supervisor. Breed, who faced a handful of long shot challengers, was nearly assured victory Tuesday night, but she still has a lot to lose.

Her appointee in District 5 is facing a challenge that could cost her a critical vote on the Board of Supervisors.

As of midnight, the District 5 race was really tight and too close to call, with Dean Preston slightly ahead of incumbent Vallie Brown.

And then there is the tightly contested headline race in San Francisco.

"The DA," Dennis Jones said of what he considered the premier item on the San Francisco ballot this year. "The district attorney's race is what it really came down to."

Here again, it's London Breed's appointee. This time against three challengers. The race has not only thrown political sparks because of the pre-election appointment of Suzy Loftus, it also falls squarely in the city's discussion about drugs, crime and street conditions that are making international headlines.

As of 11 p.m. Tuesday evening, Chesa Boudin (32.91% in early returns) was ever so slightly in the lead against Loftus (30.84%).

"I do think, for San Francisco, there are many quality-of-life issues that are sort of unresolved right now," said Tony Tolentino, dropping off his ballot at city hall. "I think we need someone in the district attorney's office to sort of deal with those issues."

So while the mayor is heading towards her first full term, two other votes could make that term more challenging for her. And then there are the challenges on the streets.

"People, of course, are not seeing change fast enough," Mayor Breed said on election day. "And I totally understand that."

Among other notable San Francisco measures was Prop D, which would tax Uber and Lyft rides in San Francisco to help pay for transit. The measure needed 66% majority "Yes" to pass and barely squeezed by, nabbing 66.66% of the vote.

Prop C, the measure to overturn the city's e-cigarette ban, was overwhelmingly defeated by voters, with 80% voting "No."

"Yes" votes were also leading at 69.46% for Prop A, a large affordable housing bond.

Prop B, the charter amendment to change Aging and Adult Services to Disability and Aging Services, won with 76.39% of the vote.

Prop E, a measure to reduce zoning and approval requirements for affordable housing and educator housing projects, also passed quite easily with a 74.47% "Yes" vote.

Dennis J. Herrerra, unchallenged, won the city attorney spot. Manohar "Mano" Raju won the public defender spot. Paul Miyamoto became San Francisco's sheriff.

Jenny Lam won a seat on the Board of Education and Ivy Lee became a member of the Community College Board. Jose Cisneros is the city treasurer.