The San Francisco sheriff who over the summer became embroiled in a national debate over “sanctuary city” policies on Tuesday lost his bid for re-election amid a host of local controversies.
Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi, 54, was defeated by Vicki Hennessy, a former sheriff’s official who had the endorsement of San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee and the sheriff deputies association. As of early Wednesday morning, Hennessy had received 62 percent of the vote to just 31 percent for Mirkarimi.
Paul’s seat in Republican-leaning Kentucky is key to holding the new GOP majority next year. But so far Paul’s campaign to keep that seat barely exists, overshadowed by his presidential bid.
Since announcing his presidential candidacy in April, Paul has spent at least 26 days campaigning in early primary and caucus states while skipping the Fancy Farm Picnic and the Kentucky Ham Breakfast – essential cattle calls for statewide office seekers in Kentucky. In the last six weeks, he has held public events in Kentucky for four days.
He has transferred $1.4 million from his Senate campaign to his presidential effort, leaving him with $1.5 million in cash for the Senate race. Fellow Kentucky U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, now the Senate majority leader, had nearly $10 million in cash available at the same time during his last re-election bid.
“I think right now voters are giving him a bit of a pass as he pursues the presidency,” said Republican state Sen. Damon Thayer, one of Paul’s allies. “I do think there is a limit on it. But I don’t know what that limit is.”
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