Levi Strauss heir Daniel Lurie files paperwork to usurp London Breed as mayor of San Francisco after he slammed 'chaotic and violent' open-air drug dealing

The heir to the Levi Strauss denim fortune has filed paperwork to run against San Francisco’s London Breed at the next mayoral election.

Non-profit founder Daniel Lurie, 45, filed papers with the city’s Ethics Commission on Thursday.

He is expected to formally announce his bid for office during a speech on Tuesday, the San Francisco Standard reports.

Lurie, who runs anti-poverty nonprofit Tipping Point, reportedly sent family and close supporters an email asking them to keep the date free.

The email said: ‘As we move forward, I’m excited to share a new journey I’m embracing that aligns with our shared passion and commitment to San Francisco.

Daniel Lurie has filed papers to usurp incumbent mayor of San Francisco, Democrat London Breed

More than 849 people are expected to die of drug overdoses in 2023, on pace to exceed the current record of 720 deaths in 2020

‘While I can’t reveal all the details just yet, I would be grateful if you, your family and friends can join me at this special announcement.’

He will be up against incumbent mayor London Breed, who is thought to be vulnerable at next year’s election.

Under her watch, the Dem-led city has been ravaged by crime, with San Francisco residents plagued by quality-of-life issues since the pandemic.

Lurie’s candidacy follows his recent condemnation of the ‘chaotic and violent’ open-air drug markets operating in the Californian city. 

The outspoken philanthropist has been active in attempts to curb San Francisco’s spiraling homelessness and poverty, but is unclear what his campaign platform would be.

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Lurie hails from one of the most powerful San Francisco families. His father, Rabbi Brian Lurie was the executive director of the Jewish Community Federation.

Meanwhile his step-father was Peter Haas, the great-grandnephew of denim tycoon Levi Strauss, who died in 1902 without any children and left his fortune to four nephews and other relatives.

 London Breed, who took office in 2018, has come under fire for increased crime rates and quality of life issues post-pandemic

People doing drugs outside a store in San Francisco last month as mayor London Breed continues to face criticism over her handling of the issues facing the city 

In 2021 Lurie bought a 1.2 acre $15.5 million mansion in Malibu’s coveted Point Dume neighborhood, according to real estate news outlet The Real Deal.

His candidacy means he will be up against Breed who has been in office since 2018 after winning a special election to fill the office following the death of Mayor Ed Lee, 

Democrat Breed is seeking another four year term and has faced resistance from within the ultra woke faction of her party who do not believe she goes far enough.

In recent months crime has soared in the city. Robberies recorded between January and September 2023 have jumped by 15.9 percent compared to the same time last year. Meanwhile, car jackings have spiked by 10.8 percent. 

The Bay Area is also grappling with a massive homelessness crisis of around 40,000 people on any given night, according to a study by Yahoo.

San Francisco native Lurie, pictured with London Breed in 2019, has previously criticized ‘violent’ open air drug markets running in the city

Meanwhile, safety issues combined with a downturn in footfall post-pandemic have been blamed for a raft of store closures in the downtown area.

The number of retailers operating in the city’s Union Square area has plummeted from 203 to 107 since 2019 – a drop of 47 percent.

Almost a quarter of offices were vacant in the first part of the year, more than five times higher than pre-pandemic levels, according to CBRE, a commercial real estate services company.

The shortfall in property taxes is estimated to cost up to $196 million a year.