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SF eyes campaign finance tweaks

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  Published in Business and Finance on Tuesday, September 9th 2025 at 17:49 GMT by San Francisco Examiner
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San Francisco Grapples With Record‑Breaking Election Costs, Calls for New Campaign‑Finance Rules

The city’s most expensive election yet has left San Francisco’s political leaders stunned and spurred a debate about the money‑driven nature of local campaigns. In 2022, the mayoral race, ten of the thirteen City Supervisor seats, and several other citywide contests collectively consumed an estimated $28 million—a figure that eclipses any previous municipal election in the Bay Area’s most populous city. City officials and civic watchdogs are now pressing for reforms that would limit campaign spending, increase transparency, and give voters a clearer picture of who is influencing the ballot.

A Breakdown of the Record Spending

The 2022 election cycle was a whirlwind of television spots, radio ads, social‑media blitzes, and costly polling. According to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors’ public records, the city itself spent roughly $4 million on voter outreach and election administration, while the campaigns of the mayor, Board members, and other candidates added more than $24 million in advertising and logistics. The incumbent mayor, London Breed, led the way with a campaign budget that approached $2.5 million, making her the most expensive contender in the city’s history. Her campaign’s extensive use of targeted digital ads and expensive polling reports drew criticism from a coalition of advocacy groups that argued the money inflated her perceived political capital.

Other races were also high‑profile. A contested seat in the Board of Supervisors saw three candidates each spend upwards of $500 k, while the race for District Attorney—where candidate Alex Padilla emerged victorious—costed $1.3 million for his campaign. Across the board, the cost of local elections now stands at a level that many voters have never seen before.

The Political Fallout

City Council member Jamal Crawford—who represented the 2nd District in the Board of Supervisors—wrote in a letter to the Board that “the electorate is drowning in ads and messages that are often confusing, hard to contextualize, and sometimes misleading.” He urged the Board to push for legislation that would:

• Cap the total amount a campaign can spend on advertisements and polling.
• Introduce a public financing model that would provide matched funds for candidates who agree to spending limits.
• Mandate real‑time disclosure of all contributions over $1,000, giving voters an accurate picture of who is investing in each race.

The proposal also includes a “ban on political advertising on city‑owned media outlets” to prevent the city from becoming a de facto campaign ad platform.

State‑Level Influences

San Francisco’s move is not happening in a vacuum. In 2022, California passed Assembly Bill 1982, a statewide initiative that set a maximum contribution amount of $1,000 for any individual and a $10,000 cap for a single campaign. The bill also requires candidates to disclose contributions over $500 within 48 hours of receipt—a change that San Francisco officials believe should be mirrored in local law.

Other states, such as California’s Proposition 30, have experimented with matching‑fund models that give public money to candidates who keep spending under a certain threshold. The proposition was approved by 60% of voters, providing a blueprint for San Francisco’s potential reforms.

Public Opinion and Advocacy

A recent poll conducted by the San Francisco Civic Action Center found that 63% of respondents believe that “big money in politics is the biggest obstacle to fair elections.” A survey of the city’s 400,000 registered voters showed that 74% support limiting campaign spending, and 68% are in favor of public financing that can reduce the influence of large donors.

The San Francisco Campaign Finance Reform Coalition—a group that includes environmental advocates, labor unions, and progressive think tanks—has drafted a comprehensive reform package. Their plan includes:

• A city‑wide $100,000 public matching fund for all candidates who agree to a $250,000 spending limit.
• Real‑time online dashboards that display contributions and expenditures in a user‑friendly format.
• A requirement that all political advertising on city‑owned radio and television stations be run through a neutral public broadcaster that does not favor any candidate.

The Road Ahead

The city’s Board of Supervisors is set to debate the reform package in a session scheduled for the upcoming fiscal year. If approved, the reforms could take effect by the 2024 election cycle. Supervisor Jasmine McDonald, who represented the 5th District, noted that “if we do not act now, the next election could see the city’s public funds being diverted to campaign ads for the next decade.”

City officials are also looking to neighboring cities for inspiration. In a recent meeting with the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, San Francisco representatives discussed LA’s use of a public financing program that has reduced the number of large‑donor‑dependent campaigns by 20%.

Bottom Line

San Francisco’s record‑setting election costs have put a spotlight on the influence of money in local politics. While the city’s leaders have yet to enact definitive reforms, the conversation is gaining traction among voters, policymakers, and advocacy groups. As the city moves forward, the question remains: will San Francisco succeed in balancing a vibrant democracy with the need to keep campaign finances transparent, accountable, and fair for all citizens? Only time—and the next election—will tell.