[3] State Senator Mark Leno had considered running but ultimately decided against it.

[4][5] Former Mayor Art Agnos, City Attorney Dennis Herrera, Public Defender Jeff Adachi and former State Assemblyman Tom Ammiano all also declined to run.

Initially, local media speculated that Lee would run for reelection unopposed.

[6] Lee was ultimately opposed by five candidates: Kent Graham, Francisco Herrera, Reed Martin, Stuart Schuffman, and Amy Farah Weiss.

[7] Municipal elections in California are officially non-partisan, though most candidates in San Francisco do receive funding and support from various political parties.