San Francisco Mayor Taps Personal Wealth to Boost Public Image

Daniel Lurie has contributed nearly $870,000 of his own funds to his mayoral campaign committee in 2025.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 7:47pm by Ben Kaplan

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, an heir to the Levi Strauss fortune, has continued to tap into his personal wealth to fund a team of outside consultants aimed at boosting his profile and promoting a narrative that the city is on the upswing. Lurie contributed about $430,000 of his own funds to his mayoral campaign committee in the second half of 2025, on top of nearly $870,000 he spent throughout the year.

Why it matters

Lurie's self-funded public relations strategy is unusual for a mayor, but experts say it can benefit the city and Lurie personally if it helps make San Francisco more appealing to businesses and tourists. However, the spending also raises concerns that the consultants could create a new way for people to try to influence the mayor.

The details

Lurie's latest disclosure shows he paid more than $300,000 to consultants including Democratic strategist Lis Smith, speechwriter Jennifer Pitts, and two advisers from his mayoral campaign, Max Szabo and Tyler Law. The spending came during a period that saw both Lurie's biggest triumph, when President Trump backtracked on plans to send federal agents to San Francisco, and his most high-profile blunder, when his handpicked District 4 supervisor resigned after just one week in office.

  • In the second half of 2025, Lurie contributed about $430,000 of his personal funds to his mayoral campaign committee.
  • Throughout 2025, Lurie contributed nearly $870,000 to his campaign committee.

The players

Daniel Lurie

The mayor of San Francisco and an heir to the Levi Strauss fortune who had never worked in government before becoming mayor.

Lis Smith

A Democratic strategist who was paid $50,000 by Lurie's campaign committee.

Jennifer Pitts

A speechwriter whose firm was paid $60,000 by Lurie's campaign committee.

Max Szabo

An adviser from Lurie's mayoral campaign whose firm was paid $130,000 by Lurie's campaign committee.

Tyler Law

An adviser from Lurie's mayoral campaign whose firm was paid $60,000 by Lurie's campaign committee.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Lurie said in a statement last year that he's trying to follow through on campaign promises to 'listen to perspectives from outside of City Hall.'”

— Daniel Lurie (sfchronicle.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.