Gavin Newsom quits race for California governor

 San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, who has been seen as a leading contender to be the next governor of California, announced today that he is quitting the race.

Newsom is withdrawing from the Democratic primary amid lackluster poll numbers and meager fund-raising receipts. His withdrawal leaves state Atty. Gen.  Jerry Brown, who is expected to run even though he has not officially entered the race, with little opposition in the Democratic primary.

“It is with great regret I announce today that I am withdrawing from the race for governor of California,” Newsom said in a statement. “With a young family and responsibilities at City Hall, I have found it impossible to commit the time required to complete this effort the way it needs to — and should be — done. This is not an easy decision. But it is one made with the best intentions for my wife, my daughter, the residents of the city and county of San Francisco, and California Democrats.”

Although Newsom had been effectively running for more than a year, his campaign never gained much traction. Even in his hometown, which Newsom touted as a model of cutting-edge policies, his candidacy was widely derided among civic insiders.

Perhaps most telling was the absence of support from the major San Francisco donors who helped underwrite Newsom’s successful campaigns in the city. He also drew relatively few endorsements from the ranks of his fellow elected officials.

Newsom had repeatedly told those close to him that he did not want to embarrass himself in the governor's race.

—Evan Halper in Sacramento

Photo: AP

More Times coverage of Newsom.

Comments

[serene]

thank god!

[Ramon]

See there is a GOD!!!!! My Prayers have been answered! Now it's time to Party!

[Sean H. Mill]

Good riddance Newsom!

Jerry Brown would have schooled him. I could never trust someone like Newsom who slept with a friends wife. Pure sleeze.

JERRY BROWN 2010!!!

[Margaret]

I live in SF. Newsom has been a good mayor. The miserable excuse for a newspaper we have has made ridiculing the mayor their raison d'etre. It's ugly.

[Eliza]

The LA Times beat the San Francisco Chronicle to the scoop!

[Ganur]

Phew! Now if only Brown and Whitman would drop out.

[Teresa]

I'm sorry to see Mayor Newsom out of the race.

[Tony B]

Beautiful! We won't be forced to see a million tv commercials lying about the good he'd do for this state.

[jONNY rEb]

Got news for you, Newsom. Maybe there is such a thing as being too liberal. And sleeping with your bud's wife isn't cool either.

[Karolein]

I don't believe he ever really had a chance. The policies and views of my beloved San Francisco just don't play well across the state.

[Bill]

Not surprising. The Mayor who lost the SF 49ers will never be elected to any other gig other than school janitor -- and even that will be a battle.

[george]

With all comments here, what does his affair with some friend's wife have to do with his political record? This is too personal and vague to hate him.

Name another one reason why you hate this guy.

[Athena]

Now wait a minute, do not blame his support of gay marriage for this. Stop with the "blame the gays" game. What shot down his candidacy was the affair with his best friend's wife and his admitted drinking problem. He just doesn't look mature enough at this point.

[Jack]

This guy would be dangerous for California, he legislates out of emotion, forget the law, the amendments, policy, constitution, character, commitment, or simply doing what he swore, representing the best interest of Californians.

Californians finally stood up, by not standing up for Newsome.

[CJ]

Yeahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!

[markiejoe]

Newsom could never have won statewide. Which is the reason he couldn't get any traction among Democrats. Even those of us who agree with almost every position he's ever taken knew he couldn't win statewide. Thus, little support and even less money from the rank and file.

This time around it's all about taking the governorship back from the infantile Republicans. Go Jerry!

[CA voter]

Ha ha The LA Times scooped the story before the SF chronicle!

[c]

"I live in SF. Newsom has been a good mayor"

newsom has been good... good for nothing. sf is filthy and crawling with homeless. one of the dirtiest cities in the US.

[LeadGen]

Random. I am glad I did not donate to his campaign. Jerry Brown it is.

[Sean H. Mill]

"With all comments here, what does his affair with some friend's wife have to do with his political record? This is too personal and vague to hate him.

Name another one reason why you hate this guy."

George,

If his friend can't trust him to keep his filthy paws off of his wife, how can the people of California ever trust him with control of our state?

This shows his true character or shall we say the lack thereof.

[Deliriously Happy]

There is a God!!! :D

Happy days are here again..yes indeed!!!

WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT!!! LOL

[2 cents]

this guy is a joke that everybody but him is in on

[Jesus Francisco]

I would have voted for him. Now, I will vote for Brown. Anybody but a GOP candidate!

[cagran]

Hooray! Gaggin Newsom is out!

[Daniel]

Jerry Brown??? Are you all out of your minds? Yes, California needs the vision of a 72 year old crony running this state out of the gutter.

The Democratic candidate hasn't surfaced yet.