San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom declares candidacy for lieutenant governor of California

Newsom declares candidacy for Calif. lt. governor

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

Newsom’s announcement Friday morning on KPIX-TV is not a surprise. He filed papers on Feb. 17 with the secretary of state’s office, the first steps to becoming a statewide candidate again.

The 42-year-old mayor is best known for his approval of same-sex marriages at San Francisco’s City Hall in 2004. He dropped his gubernatorial campaign in October after being unable to find the same popularity throughout California that he enjoys in his famously liberal hometown.

Newsom will compete against state Sen. Dean Florez and Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn for the Democratic nomination.