Moderate Democrats in San Francisco are mobilizing substantial financial resources to counter the influence of progressive politicians in upcoming local elections. They are particularly concerned about the potential implications of a proposed 'CEO tax' which labor unions have placed on the June primary ballot. This tax is seen as a measure that could unsettle the balance of the local economy and exacerbate existing issues related to homelessness and crime that have intensified over the last four years.

The organization at the forefront of this effort, Neighbors for a Better San Francisco, has raised around $10 million to support candidates who align with their centrist views. Their main objective is to preserve a moderate majority on the Board of Supervisors and to block any measures that could revert the city’s political landscape toward more progressive policies. They argue that the proposed tax, aimed at compensating for federal funding cuts affecting the city’s budget, could hurt economic recovery and worsen the current challenges associated with downtown office vacancies.

As the local political climate grows increasingly contentious, this dynamic represents a significant shift in San Francisco's electoral landscape. The response from moderate Democrats is indicative of a broader concern among centrist factions within urban areas about the ramifications of progressive policies. The outcomes of these elections could not only shape the city's immediate governance but also set precedents for future electoral battles between moderate and progressive forces in other urban centers across the United States.