After two eventful terms, it seems Gavin Newsom has grown too big for the city of San Francisco.
The city’s Democratic mayor announced on Tuesday that he will be exploring his potential candidacy for governor of California, according to the Los Angeles Times, in what will be the state’s first open-seat gubernatorial election since Gray Davis took office in 1998. Mayor Newsom could perhaps be the most well-known choice to succeed Governor Schwarzenegger, who has fulfilled his term limit; Newsom grabbed nationwide headlines when he demanded that the city grant marriage licenses indiscriminately to any couple that requested one, in early 2004. This controversial move sparked a lengthy legal battle that was ended temporarily in May when the California Supreme Court granted the right to marry to any couple, including same-sex couples.
Less glamorously, Newsom also made San Francisco the first U.S. city to provide universal healthcare, along with innovative environmental programs and strong attempts to treat the homeless. While this record may give the mayor the advantage of statewide recognition, his campaign could also be hindered by his anti-traditional values.
Newsom is expected to make his final decision regarding his candidacy by the end of the year, and could face such Democratic contenders as current Attorney General Jerry Brown and current Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
Photo by Thomas J. Gibbons from San Francisco Mayor Office.
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