San Francisco's acting mayor sworn in after ex-mayor's sudden death

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- London Breed, president of the Board of Supervisors of San Francisco, a major multi-ethnic city in California state on the U.S. west coast, became the city's acting mayor following former Mayor Ed Lee's sudden death early Tuesday morning.

Breed succeeds Lee as the acting mayor immediately after Lee's death in accordance with the City Charter and becomes the first African-American to hold the office.

Breed, a native San Franciscan, was elected president of the Board of Supervisors in 2015 after serving as a Supervisor for three years.

Prior to her election to the Board of Supervisors, Breed was the executive director of the African American Art and Culture Complex of San Francisco.

Lee, the first Asian American mayor of San Francisco died unexpectedly Tuesday after suffering a heart attack, at the age of 65.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Anita, his two daughters, Brianna and Tania, and his family," a statement released by the mayor's office said.

California Governor Jerry Brown also expressed his condolences over Lee's death via his official twitter account.

"On behalf of all Californians, Anne and I extend our deepest condolences to Mayor Lee's family, his many friends and the entire city of San Francisco. Ed was a true champion for working people and epitomized the California spirit. He'll truly be missed," Brown twitted. Enditem