San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom officially announces run for governor

 San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom  today made official what Californians who have watched him traverse the state for months already suspected -- he is running for governor in 2010.

As might be expected for a campaign that has tried to maximize its presence on social networking websites, Newsom made the announcement electronically: "Today, I am announcing, via Tweet, my candidacy for governor," his website declared.

In an interview, Newsom contrasted the state's teetering economy and widespread government cutbacks with San Francisco's plans to expand healthcare and protect its schools.

"No teachers are getting laid off in San Francisco," he said, crediting in part what he called his "entrepreneurial perspective." His emphasis on the economy not only dovetails with voter sentiment now -- the recession is paramount in voters' minds -- but it also serves to reintroduce Newsom to Californians who might otherwise only know him for his high-profile role in supporting gay marriages in 2004.

The subject of gay marriage was introduced, somewhat obliquely, at the end of a lengthy announcement video on his website.

"You know where I stand on important issues like universal healthcare, creating green-collar jobs and protecting equality for all Americans," he said.

A Field Poll last month showed Newsom running third among those Democrats seen as most likely to run for governor, behind Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. U. S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a former San Francisco mayor, runs ahead of the pack, but has not yet taken steps to enter the race.

-- Cathleen Decker

Photo: Robert Durell / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[no sanctuary]

Newsom is the first of the sanctuary city mayor twins to throw in his name with hopes of turning Cali into a sanctuary state. Gavin, can you tell us how many Americans have been slaughtered in SF by illegal alien criminals previously shielded from deportation by your sanctuary policy? How do you match up with Antonio?

[zorro1x]

You've got to be kidding. Californians are preparing to toss out the spend-happy, gay-happy Democratic legislature and this ultra-lib thinks he has a snowball's chance of being gov? Reality check, dude.

[Randy]

Gavin Newsom should be thrown in jail not running for governer. He's repeatedly violated state laws on numerous occasions and doesn't care about what the people think, just those he thinks he can thrill for the moment to get elected. Those of us in Southern California remember very clearly his transporting illegal immigrants to our doorstep instead of deporting them as the law requires because he refuses too. Whats his first address after he's elected? Something along the lines of a bunch of controversial crap followed with "Whether you like it or not, its gonna happen". I think not. Enjoy the homosexual communities support its about all you have in Southern CA.

[Tyler]

Great, if he wins he can just run our state into a further deficit. San Francisco has a deficit (percentage wise) larger than California's.

[PG]

Ho well, What can I say ? Looks like no qualifications are required. May be all morons should aim to hold government offices. No contest here.

[JD]

From a fiscal perspective, his record stands out among his competitors. He actually helped create and manage a budget stabilization fund for SF that deposited surplus revenues. And this year SF tapped the reserve to maintain teachers as revenues sunk.

This is a fundamental reform for the state government that has been discussed for years, and its current need is beyond obvious. When contrasted further with his other mayor opponent in Los Angeles, it could be Newsom's most salient issue. Being socially liberal doesn't always preclude fiscal responsibility.

[Matt]

Good luck Gavin. Gay marriage is a civil right and the sanctuary policy is the best policy. Let's bring some change to California.

[Get Real]

This is actually good news! This means he's NOT running for Lt Governor where he might have had a chance at winning. Instead he's going to place a distant 3rd in the primary, sinking his hopes of getting some kind of appointed position somewhere since smart Dems will want to distance themselves from a waster of time and money.

[Dan]

From all the previous responses, I was just wondering...do only right-wing ultra-conservatives read and respond to articles in the LA Times anymore?

[Sunsetmary]

Gavin Newsom is the worst mayor ever in San Francisco. He's run our wonderful City into the ground and now he wants to do the same to the entire state. He is unqualified, under educated and supported by Feinstein, Pelosi and the Gettys. He is appealing to the youth (under 30) by calling himself green (only green enough to get funds from vendors) to his sanctuary policies, to claiming he invented universal health care for SF (which he did not). He is a fraud. Listen to what he says, not how he says it. He spouts emptiness. He is a bar keeper and that is what he shoulld stay.

[EB]

I am a lifelong Democrat, and have voted Demo in every Presidential election since I was 18.. and Demo in every Statewide election, with the one exception (the Kathleen Brown fiasco). I'm 42 now, so it's not like I just signed up to vote. Anthony Villar or Gavin Newsome? I would exhume Reagan and vote for the corpse before I'll vote for these guys.

Sorry, but if these three (JerrryB as well) are the best the Dems can do, a billionaire zealot will win the office for the GOP.

[joe price]

gavin for governor !

[DET]

He says on his Website: "Today, I am announcing, via Tweet, my candidacy for governor because California needs a new direction. Please join us as we build a campaign that does more than win an election – join us as we change California."

Yet he offers no specifics, and it's hard to infer any, either. What does he want to "change" from? A legislature controlled by the Democrats (his own party), with an incumbent RINO governor (who's married to, and agrees with most of the fundamental policies of, a Democrat)? If Californians want change, they should not expect it from Newsom (or any of his likely primary opponents, for that matter).

[Jamie]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XVesz9LsAQ

[california voter]

me thinks mayor newsom should stay in s.f and FIX s.f.
problems, which are mostly still unchecked. i won't vote for him if he does run. stop wasting money NOW, mayor newsom &
start saving s.f.