Far-left district attorney Chesa Boudin ousted in recall election: 'Latest wake-up call for Democrats'

The voters of San Francisco delivered a blunt message to far-left District Attorney Chesa Boudin on Tuesday: You're fired!

San Franciscans overwhelmingly supported a recall effort remove Boudin by a vote of 60% to 40%.

Boudin, who has served as San Fran's DA for over two years, was particularly controversial because he brought progressive criminal justice reform to the Bay Area. His supporters believe measures like ending cash bail, decreasing incarceration rates, loosening criminal penalties, and holding police officers accountable are much-needed reforms. His critics, however, attribute his progressive policies to the city's expedited deterioration.

Boudin will officially be removed 10 days after the San Francisco Board of Supervisors certifies the results of the election. Mayor London Breed (D) will select Boudin's replacement.

What did Boudin say?

Speaking to supporters late on Tuesday, Boudin attributed his loss to "right-wing billionaires."

"People [in San Francisco] are angry. They're frustrated. And I want to be very clear about what happened tonight: The right-wing billionaires outspent us three to one," Boudin claimed, Axios reported.

"They exploited an environment in which people are appropriately upset. And they created an electoral dynamic where we were literally shadowboxing," he added. "Voters were not asked to choose between criminal justice reform and something else. They were given an opportunity to voice their frustration and their outrage and they took that opportunity."

However, that is simply not true.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, just 7% of San Francisco voters are registered Republicans. This suggests the recall campaign was a battle between the city's moderate Democrats and far-left progressives.

Now, the voice of moderate Democrats, those who want to see their city restored, is reverberating through the city's streets.

"San Franciscans from every neighborhood and background sent a clear message today," said recall campaign chair Mary Jung, who describes herself as a "lifelong Democrat."

"Voters said loud and clear that they want a district attorney who prioritizes public safety for every community," she added.

If you look close enough, two successful recall elections against far-left Democrats in an overwhelmingly liberal city is a bellwether for future elections nationwide.

"Boudin’s defeat is the latest wake-up call for Democrats, who have lost the public’s trust on criminal justice and play down voter anxieties about crime at their peril," wrote Washington Post columnist James Hohmann.