San Francisco’s Mayor, London Breed, was transported from the Hawaiian island of Maui to Honolulu on Wednesday, as confirmed by a reliable source to POLITICO.
The mayor was present on the island during the outbreak of deadly wildfires, which led to extensive evacuations and a rush for flights to nearby islands.
Breed’s office did not promptly respond to inquiries about her location. The individual familiar with her movements indicated that she was initially on Maui and has now arrived in Honolulu. However, they did not specify the mode of her transportation.
The island was severely affected by strong winds fanning the brushfires, and images depicting the before-and-after scenes of Lahaina were widely circulated online on Wednesday. The Associated Press reported a confirmed death toll of at least six people, with dozens more injured and nearly 300 sustaining injuries.
Breed is currently seeking re-election while grappling with an array of challenges in the city, ranging from homelessness to an exacerbated drug epidemic following the pandemic.
The upcoming race will feature multiple contenders, testing whether the incumbent can overcome her diminished popularity and the mounting dissatisfaction with her leadership.