San Francisco voters continue to back Mayor Daniel Lurie, with the latest University of Southern California poll showing 63 percent approval and a separate David Binder Research poll at 67 percent. While these figures are a few points lower than the 74 percent high recorded in a spring Chronicle poll, they remain well above the 50‑percent threshold that most officials struggle to reach.
Poll trends and expert commentary
Both surveys were conducted this month and sampled likely San Francisco voters. The USC poll surveyed 454 respondents in the city’s 11th congressional district, while the Binder poll used a broader citywide sample. Christian Grose, lead pollster for the USC study and a professor at the university, noted, “There has been a slight decline when you take a look at the polls over time, but a mayor with greater than 60 percent approval in our current times when almost nothing cracks 50 percent approval is good.”
Mayor Lurie’s office echoed that sentiment. Spokesperson Max Szabo said in a text message, “Voters overwhelmingly approve of the job Mayor Lurie is doing because they’re seeing progress—from cleaner streets and more officers to a downtown on the rise.” He added that the mayor remains focused on delivering results rather than chasing poll numbers.
Context for the shift
Analysts caution against over‑interpreting the dip. Jason McDaniel, a political science professor at San Francisco State University, warned that differences in methodology and sample composition can affect results. “These are generally good polls, but there may be less here than you think,” he said, noting that some margins of error overlap and the decline could be within normal sampling variation.
Earlier in the year, Lurie’s favorability rose from 55 percent in February to 67 percent in July, according to GrowSF‑commissioned polls. A June Binder poll recorded a 65 percent favorability rating, suggesting that overall sentiment toward the mayor remains positive.
Policy achievements driving approval
Mayor Lurie’s focus on downtown revitalization and street cleanliness appears to be resonating. The Chronicle’s 2025 and 2026 polls show approval for downtown revitalization climbing from 63 percent to 71 percent, and approval for keeping neighborhoods clean rising from 59 percent to 67 percent.
However, the administration faces challenges. A recent “rent emergency” declaration in September highlighted a surge in housing costs, which has strained tenants and softened some of the mayor’s messaging about the city’s comeback. Additionally, Lurie’s more active political role—such as his opposition to Proposition I and endorsements in local supervisor races—has drawn criticism from progressive voters.
Demographic breakdown
The USC poll also revealed that Lurie’s approval varies by political affiliation and demographics. Among self‑identified very liberal respondents, only 31 percent strongly approve, while 22 percent somewhat disapprove. Conversely, 73 percent of Republican respondents approve, compared with 63 percent of Democrats. Approval is higher among men, residents over 50, non‑Black voters, those earning over $200,000, and individuals with a bachelor’s degree or higher.
When asked about congressional preferences, 75 percent of strong Lurie supporters favor State Senator Scott Wiener, while 88 percent of strong disapprovers prefer Supervisor Connie Chan.
Looking ahead
While the modest decline in approval is notable, the mayor’s ability to maintain a solid majority of support underscores continued confidence in his leadership on public safety, downtown development, and city cleanliness. Observers will watch how the administration balances housing affordability pressures with its broader revitalization agenda as the city moves toward the next election cycle.
Original reporting: Mission Local — read the source article.
