Tweet
Quite a surprise, but I won't miss him. Will anyone else try for the Democrat nomination?
Last Modified: Friday, Oct. 30, 2009 - 3:45 pm
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom made a surprise announcement Friday afternoon that he was dropping out of the gubernatorial race, leaving the Democrats with no declared candidate for the top statewide office.
Attorney General Jerry Brown has opened an exploratory committee for governor but has yet to formally announce his candidacy.
Nonetheless, Brown has opened a wide lead over Newsom in both fund-raising and in polls.
"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."
In a written statement, Brown said of Newsom's departure from the race, "Mayor Newsom is a talented public official and I believe he has a bright future. I am sure this was not an easy decision. Anne and I wish Gavin and his family all the best."
Democratic political consultant Bill Carrick said there is no question that running for governor is a job with "24-7 demands."
"The fundraising is just literally being trapped in a room calling donors all the time," he said. "There are very few people that are willing to do that. And it's all the more complicated if you're a sitting mayor ... .You're at it all day, all the time. "
Many Democrats, he noted, are comfortable with the prospect of a Jerry Brown candidacy.
"I think most people look at Jerry and say he's doing very well, the polls, he's raised a lot of money, he has a great platform in which he can get media coverage almost at the drop of a hat as attorney general," Carrick said. "That's a formidable combination."
But he said it's too soon to know whether another candidate will decide to enter the Democratic race.
"This is a surprise, and they will be more surprises to come," he said. "It's very early in the cycle - who knows what's going to happen?"
Last Modified: Friday, Oct. 30, 2009 - 3:45 pm
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom made a surprise announcement Friday afternoon that he was dropping out of the gubernatorial race, leaving the Democrats with no declared candidate for the top statewide office.
Attorney General Jerry Brown has opened an exploratory committee for governor but has yet to formally announce his candidacy.
Nonetheless, Brown has opened a wide lead over Newsom in both fund-raising and in polls.
"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."
In a written statement, Brown said of Newsom's departure from the race, "Mayor Newsom is a talented public official and I believe he has a bright future. I am sure this was not an easy decision. Anne and I wish Gavin and his family all the best."
Democratic political consultant Bill Carrick said there is no question that running for governor is a job with "24-7 demands."
"The fundraising is just literally being trapped in a room calling donors all the time," he said. "There are very few people that are willing to do that. And it's all the more complicated if you're a sitting mayor ... .You're at it all day, all the time. "
Many Democrats, he noted, are comfortable with the prospect of a Jerry Brown candidacy.
"I think most people look at Jerry and say he's doing very well, the polls, he's raised a lot of money, he has a great platform in which he can get media coverage almost at the drop of a hat as attorney general," Carrick said. "That's a formidable combination."
But he said it's too soon to know whether another candidate will decide to enter the Democratic race.
"This is a surprise, and they will be more surprises to come," he said. "It's very early in the cycle - who knows what's going to happen?"
I left CA when he was governor. I actually believe his tenure was the beginning of the end for CA. Just think- you can have him back for another two terms.
Comment