SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, who built a national reputation pushing cutting-edge -- and controversial -- policies on same-sex marriage, healthcare and other issues, launched an exploratory bid for governor Tuesday.
His move placed the 40-year-old, two-term mayor out in front of a large Democratic field eyeing the race to succeed Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is barred by term limits from running again in 2010. Newsom said he expected to decide by year's end whether to proceed with a full-fledged candidacy.
The first open-seat governor's race in 12 years is expected to draw a crowded field of Democratic hopefuls, including former governor and current Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown, Lt. Gov. John Garamendi and former Controller Steve Westly, who unsuccessfully sought the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in 2006.
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has also been widely discussed as a possible candidate, although he faces reelection in 2009, which could complicate any run for higher office. Among Republicans, state Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner is seen as likely to run.
In an interview Tuesday, Newsom said he was mindful of the city's somewhat eccentric reputation and alluded to the "values" issues -- political code for gay rights and other left-leaning positions -- that opponents may try to use to his political detriment. "Bring that on," he said after signing the papers creating his campaign committee.
"We're about civil rights and equal rights, you better believe it," Newsom said. "I'm proud of that; I'm not going to hide from that. . . . So now let's talk about healthcare, education, the environment. Let's have a conversation about your kids and what you want this state to look like five, 10 years from now."
Newsom, who blends movie-star looks with a wonkish devotion to public policy, faces other impediments apart from the strong competition.
There is a long list of California mayors, and ex-mayors, who have tried and failed to win the state's highest office. In recent decades that includes San Francisco's Joseph Alioto, Los Angeles' Tom Bradley and Richard Riordan, and San Diego's Pete Wilson, who lost in his first try for the office before becoming a U.S. senator and then winning the governorship in 1990. Wilson defeated Dianne Feinstein, who had left the San Francisco mayor's office two years before.
