Mark Farrell Declares Victory in District 2

Mark Farrell says he's won. Does Janet Reilly concur?

​Update: Janet Reilly Concedes

Mark Farrell -- who didn't have very many endorsements but did end up with more ranked-choice votes than favorite Janet Reilly -- has declared victory.

"As of this evening, all the votes have been counted in District 2 by the San Francisco Department of Elections and we have won the District 2 Supervisor election," he said in an e-mail release. "Our transition team is in place, and I will be meeting with District 2 Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier tomorrow to kick-start the transition process. I will also finalize the hiring of my City Hall staff within the next week."

Per today's ranked-choice voting tabulations, Farrell had 50.6 percent of the vote to Reilly's 49.4 percent -- a razor-thin 11,105 to 10,835 margin. SF Weekly's calls to Reilly's campaign have not yet been returned.

"It's not going to change," said Chris Lee, Farrell's general consultant. "We believe we've won."

Farrell made a bevy of thank-yous in his letter, including his three most prominent supporters: outgoing Supervisor Michela "Payback's a Bitch" Alioto-Pier, longtime friend Supervisor Sean Elsbernd, and Sheriff Mike Hennessey.

"While it was a long campaign and ultimately a close election, I am both honored and excited to represent the residents of District 2," wrote Farrell. "[I] look forward to working to return common sense, fiscal discipline and neighborhood leadership back to City Hall."

Nice thought, Farrell. When were those ever in City Hall in the first place?

Update, 7:30 p.m.: Janet Reilly e-conceded. Per her message:

After a long race, my campaign for Supervisor has ended. Although I received more
first-place votes than any other candidate, I have not been elected District 2 Supervisor.

...

Public service is an honor. It is an integral part of our democratic tradition for
candidates to pass a series of difficult tests before earning the right to hold
office. Still, I understand why many bright, capable people choose not to run for
office when I see how poisonous and cynical the process can be. In my own race, an independent expenditure committee armed with $230,000 leveled an 11th-hour smear campaign against me. They violated a litany of election laws while peddling gross distortions and outright lies. This is simply wrong. Actions like this deter many good people from public service. ...

Follow us on Twitter at @TheSnitchSF and @SFWeekly