Ousted former San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin announced he would not be throwing his hat back in the ring in 2022, quelling speculation about him mounting a comeback bid for the office from which he was just recalled over what critics called a lax-on-crime approach.
Boudin, who had been successfully recalled from office in June, previously left the door open to running in the special election this fall or in the contest next year for district attorney. But after consulting family and friends, he has decided that his family is more important.
NEW SAN FRANCISCO DISTRICT ATTORNEY SWORN IN TO REPLACE RECALLED CHESA BOUDIN
“My son is on the verge of taking his first step and speaking his first word. My wife’s research on Multiple Sclerosis at UCSF deserves the same support she has offered my work. My elderly father just came home from prison after more than 40 years,” he tweeted. “I am choosing to put my family first: I will not be running for office in 2022.”
My son is on the verge of taking his first step and speaking his first word. My wife’s research on Multiple Sclerosis at UCSF deserves the same support she has offered my work. My elderly father just came home from prison after more than 40 years.
— Chesa Boudin 博徹思 (@chesaboudin) August 4, 2022
“I know this news will come as a disappointment to many who are dedicated to reform. I assure you I remain deeply committed to justice and to the people of San Francisco,” he said.
Throughout his tenure, Boudin faced heavy criticism for being soft on crime, including from his former employee Brooke Jenkins who replaced him as San Francisco district attorney, having been appointed by Mayor London Breed. Jenkins had faulted Boudin for rising crime in the city. San Francisco is regarded as one of the most dangerous cities in America, and it is considered safer than about 4% of other cities in the United States.
Boudin has long been a staunch advocate of criminal justice reform. He has defended his record, countering that critics often exaggerated claims that his office was dragging its feet on combating crime.
“We made a lot of progress in a short period of time,” Boudin tweeted. “I am gravely concerned by what I’ve seen from the current, appointed District Attorney. We have heard no assurances that the successful programs we’ve implemented will continue, and indeed, we see worrying signs every day as progress is rolled back.”
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In 2019, before he assumed office, Boudin argued that prosecutors should not focus on “victimless crimes” and called for more robust social programs to combat crime. After getting sworn into office, Boudin nixed cash bail and voiced resistance to enforcing “cases involving quality-of-life crimes.”
“The challenge going forward,” he said in 2019, per the New York Post, “is how do we close a jail?”
Since Boudin assumed office in 2020, prosecutions dipped significantly. Between 2019 and 2020, felony charges fell by about 30% and misdemeanor charges fell 44%, according to the data that his office released. While prosecutions increased slightly in 2021, they were lower than the time before he took office.
