San Francisco's 'Culture War' Veterans Predicted to Shape New York City's Urban Future

In a notable social media post, the late conservative historian and author Lee Edwards articulated a future vision for urban governance, predicting that "veterans of the SF culture war get to teach all the New Yorkers how to take a city back" in approximately four years from his statement. Edwards's tweet, shared on November 5, 2025, suggests an anticipated transfer of strategies and lessons learned from San Francisco's recent political and social battles to New York City's ongoing urban challenges.

San Francisco has recently been a focal point of intense debates, often characterized as "culture wars," concerning public safety, homelessness, and the efficacy of progressive policies. Key developments included the recall of three school board members in February 2022 and the recall of District Attorney Chesa Boudin in June 2022. These events were widely interpreted as a public pushback against certain progressive approaches, signaling a shift towards more traditional or "law-and-order" governance, as noted by political analysts.

New York City currently grapples with its own set of significant urban issues, including persistent concerns over crime rates, a deepening homelessness crisis, and the substantial influx of asylum seekers. Mayor Eric Adams has made public safety a central tenet of his administration, advocating for increased police presence and a tougher stance on quality-of-life offenses. The city's resources and its long-standing right-to-shelter mandate have been severely strained by these challenges, particularly by the arrival of over 100,000 migrants since spring 2022.

Edwards, a distinguished fellow in conservative thought and a co-founder of Young Americans for Freedom, consistently viewed urban issues through a lens of traditional values and fiscal conservatism. His commentary implies that the perceived successes in San Francisco's policy shifts, particularly those driven by a more moderate or conservative electorate, could serve as a blueprint for New York City. The phrase "take a city back" typically refers to reclaiming urban areas from perceived decline or from policies deemed ineffective.

The anticipated influence from San Francisco's political landscape on New York City highlights a broader national discourse on urban management and the balance between progressive social policies and public order. As both cities navigate complex socioeconomic issues, the coming years may indeed see increased cross-city dialogue and policy adoption, reflecting the evolving priorities of urban populations.