San Francisco Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi, known as a staunch supporter of the city’s sanctuary status, was voted out of office Tuesday night. More than 83,000 ballot were cast and Mirkarimi was crushed by his opponent former Chief Deputy Vicki Hennessy, who picked up over 52,000 votes.
Mirkarimi made national news over the summer following the July murder of 32-year-old Kate Steinle. Steinle was gunned down on San Francisco’s Pier 14 by Juan Francisco Lopez-Sanchez, an illegal immigrant who was deported five times prior, but was released from jail even though federal officials requested to be notified previously.
San Francisco’s sanctuary city policy shielded Lopez from federal authorities, and Mirkarimi vociferously defended the city law.
Hennessy ran on promising voters she would ease the sanctuary city “gag order” on local authorities, reports The Washington Times, permitting restricted communication or cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Hennesy received the endorsement of the San Francisco Chronicle as well.
“Mirkarimi spins himself in circles both rationalizing his policy and refusing to accept responsibility for his part in the circumstances that led to the tragedy. The bottom line: It could happen again with Mirkarimi and his ‘gag rule’ in place,” the Chronicle said in its endorsement of Hennessy.