Daniel Lurie Defeats Tax Hike on Large Corporations as California Left Stumbles Despite $200 Million Push
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Aug 14
Daniel Lurie Defeats Tax Hike on Large Corporations as California Left Stumbles Despite $200 Million Push
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Aug 14
Summary
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie helped sink a ballot measure that would have raised taxes on large corporations with “overpaid CEOs,” extending a moderate Democratic winning streak in the state.
Lurie’s victory reflects voter frustration over homelessness, crime, struggling schools and bureaucracy, issues moderates say are eroding trust in progressive governance.
California’s left also faces structural headwinds: expensive statewide campaigns favor business-backed Democrats, and tech and corporate megadonors have swamped progressive candidates with negative ads.
That weakness showed up in this year’s governor’s race, where Tom Steyer spent more than $200 million and Katie Porter lost ground while moderate Xavier Becerra advanced from the June primary.
The setback in San Francisco adds to broader warning signs for progressives in California, where voter-ID support is rising and another initiative could make local tax measures harder to pass.