San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin blamed “right-wing billionaires” for his resounding defeat in Tuesday’s special election — while supporters of the movement to push him out celebrated their victory over his policies.
Just after the polls closed, Boudin’s voice trembled with emotion as he described the overwhelming majority of voters’ decision to oust him from office early.
While blaming the defeat on efforts to discredit the progressive movement and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Boudin also stated that locals had shown their dissatisfaction at the vote box over “the right-wing billionaires outspending us 3 to 1.”
Former public defender and the son of a convicted Weather Underground terrorist, Boudin was elected in 2019 on a platform that promised to keep low-level offenders out of jail and to prevent juveniles from serving lengthy prison terms. Boudin
A rise in crime, including an increase in attacks on Asian Americans, rampant stealing, and open-air drug peddling, backfired on Boudin’s light-touch strategy.
Local resident Kevin Wakelin told the San Francisco Examiner, “There are so many auto break-ins, house break-ins, and stolen bicycles.” The fact that some of us are forced to buy a new bicycle every two weeks is very heartbreaking. That’s on him [Boudin] to own up to.”
Although he had been rejected by the voters, Chesa Boudin claimed that his values would endure even if he were to lose the election.
“There are two major cities in our region. It’s correct that we have two legal systems. When it comes to the wealthy and well-connected, we have one for them, and another for everyone else,” Chesa Boudin remarked, adding later, “We are not afraid. We are fighting to change.” In our favor is the law. We have a good cause here. And we have already triumphed. There is no way to get out of poverty by incarcerating people.
With the state’s hotel and retail associations toasting their victory with them, recall supporters celebrated Boudin’s defeat as a victory for San Francisco tourists, shoppers, and workers who had raised the alarm about rising crime and deteriorating conditions in one of America’s most liberal cities.
Recall campaign leader Mary Jung said voters have sent a “clear message” that they want a new prosecutor who will hold “serious, violent and repeat offenders responsible while never forgetting the rights of victims and their families””
According to Boudin’s accusation that Proposition H, the recall measure, was funded by Republican oligarchs, the group denied this.
There is no evidence that San Francisco’s approach to criminal justice has changed as a result of this election, according to a statement from Mayor Jung. It has been a national pioneer in criminal justice reform for decades, and it will continue to be so with new leadership in San Francisco. ”
Shorter told the Examiner, “This is not a message for the rest of the country; it is a message to take care of our community. When it comes to progressive reform and public safety, it’s all about finding a middle ground. “We got off track because they are one and the same.”
Despite the fact that he was elected in 2019 on a platform of criminal justice reform, which many of his followers viewed as discriminatory and unfair, Boudin insisted that his values would endure.
“We have nothing to fear. In our favor is the law. We have a good cause here. And we have already triumphed. In the words of Boudin, “we cannot incarcerate our way out of poverty”.
A spike in crime, including smash-and-grab robberies, attacks on Asian Americans, rampant stealing, and open-air drug trafficking, backfired on Boudin’s laissez-faire policy. He voted to remove Boudin from office because, in his words, “things have gotten worse in every manner.” Raj Marwari, 40, agreed with Raj.
“San Francisco is not safe,” Marwari said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. “When the player’s doing awful, you’ve got to pull ’em,” he said, adding that dismissing Boudin won’t cure all of the city’s problems.
Until a special election is held in November, Mayor London Breed will appoint a substitute for Boudin. In that race, Boudin would be able to run for re-election to his old position.