London Breed accused of ethics violations over DNC donor party

A lavish party in San Francisco, hosted by tech entrepreneur Chris Larsen, served as both a celebration for Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and a tribute to the city itself. Harris emphasized the importance of defending San Francisco's reputation against Republican narratives, stating, “It is so critical that we talk about the truth about San Francisco.” The event featured an open bar, gourmet food, and a significant financial backing for Mayor London Breed’s reelection campaign, with Larsen contributing $400,000 to an independent committee supporting her. Concerns have arisen regarding the close relationship between Mayor Breed and Larsen, particularly after they were seen engaged in lengthy discussions during the party. Critics, including Farrell campaign manager Jade Tu, have questioned the appropriateness of their interaction, suggesting it raises doubts about the integrity of Breed’s campaign. Tu stated, “How do voters know and trust that they didn’t talk about her campaign or strategy at all?” Other mayoral candidates, such as Aaron Peskin, have also criticized Breed for her presence at the event, arguing that she should acknowledge her role in shaping the negative perceptions of San Francisco. Peskin pointed out that Breed’s comments at the Democratic National Convention about Republicans misrepresenting the city were contradictory to her actions at the party. Despite the scrutiny, former San Francisco Ethics Commission chairman Paul Melbostad noted that as long as there was no direct discussion of campaign finances, the event did not violate any ethical guidelines. However, he expressed skepticism about the likelihood of such discussions being entirely absent.