San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom declares candidacy for Calif lieutenant governor

SF mayor Newsom to run for CA lieutenant governor

SAN FRANCISCO — After dropping out of the gubernatorial race last year, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom announced Friday that he is running for lieutenant governor.

Newsom’s announcement wasn’t a surprise — he filed papers Feb. 17 with the secretary of state, a necessary step to run again for a statewide office. But he had refused to confirm his candidacy until Friday’s deadline.

“Like many, I’ve openly questioned whether the office of LG is the right place to lead a reform movement that has the power to shake up Sacramento,” he said in a statement Friday.

“But, as I’ve opened my mind … I’m more convinced than ever that the broad, informal portfolio of the office allows our Lieutenant Governor the freedom and platform to engage on any issue, from the ground up, without being distracted or deterred by the usual Sacramento power plays or bureaucratic turf battles.”

The office of lieutenant governor is seen by some as a springboard to a higher office for the ambitious 42-year-old mayor best known for his approval of same-sex marriages at San Francisco’s City Hall in 2004.

“The lieutenant governor’s job is a stepping stone for running for governor — pure and simple,” University of California, Berkeley political scientist Bruce Cain said in an e-mail. “It will give Gavin statewide exposure and fundraising contacts, and soften the image of being a San Francisco official, a position that does not play so well in the central valley, inland empire or parts of Southern California.”

This time last year, Newsom was canvassing the state in a bid to become the next California governor.

But he dropped his gubernatorial campaign in October after trailing seven-to-one in fundraising to then-unannounced candidate, state Attorney General Jerry Brown. Brown officially entered the gubernatorial race earlier this month.

Newsom, a popular mayor elected overwhelmingly for a second term in 2007, was not able to achieve that kind of statewide recognition during his campaign for governor.

In the Democratic primary on June 8, Newsom will be competing against Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn for the Democratic nomination.

After Newsom’s announcement Friday, state Sen. Dean Florez, D-Kern County, dropped out of the race and offered his “full support” to Newsom’s campaign.

The Democratic primary winner likely will face Abel Maldonado, R-Santa Maria, who is awaiting confirmation to become interim lieutenant governor after being nominated by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger earlier this year.

The post, which is next in line of succession to become governor in the event of death, resignation or removal, was vacated by John Garamendi who won a Congressional seat last year.