San Francisco supervisors choose Mark Farrell as interim mayor

Byby Katie Utehs KGO logo
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
San Francisco supervisors choose Mark Farrell as interim mayor
There was a surprising political upset and a new mayor of San Francisco.

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- There was a surprising political upset and a new mayor of San Francisco. Former Supervisor Mark Farrell was elected by the board and sworn in, unseating London Breed as acting mayor since the death of Ed Lee.

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The new mayor held a press conference at 9 p.m. following a dramatic turn of events. The political theater inside San Francisco City Hall felt like improv at times.

City Hall erupted as Farrell unseated Breed in a 8 - 2 vote. Farrell abstained. He was sworn in quick fashion and will hold the office until June.

Supervisor Aaron Peskin had called for a vote by the board because Breed was acting as both Mayor and board president following the Death of Ed Lee in December. It raised concerns regarding separation of power.

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President Barack Obama walks with San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee after arriving at San Francisco International airport in San Francisco, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011.
Eric Risberg/AP Photo

Breed has already declared her candidacy for Mayor in the upcoming election.

Tonights vote shocked Breed supporters.

Mayor Farrell will now pick his replacement for the seat he just vacated and the person's term will last until January 2019 at which time a candidate who was voted in will take over the district seat.

Farrell missed the cut off to run for Mayor so his Mayoral term will end in June.

Click here for more stories on Ed Lee.