Rumors Continue To Swirl Around SF Mayor Newsom

[ccharles000]

(San Francisco, California) Day by day San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom is sounding more and more as though he already is running for Governor.

Tuesday he went to the Sacramento Press Club for a speech on health care - especially for the poor. It was an address that many thought was a test of the gubernatorial waters, but when the question of a 2010 election run was put directly to him he brushed it aside saying it was speculative and "wildly premature", but then toyed with reporters, saying that if he felt he could "add value" to the state he "surely will consider" running.

There already are about a half-dozen Democrats seriously considering running for governor. The most likely is former Governor and current Attorney General Jerry Brown.

Both are strong advocates of same-sex marriage. And, if both decide to seek the nomination it would most certainly end a longtime friendship between the two.

Newsom gained statewide and national attention on February 12, 2004 when he instructed the San Francisco city clerk's office to begin issuing licenses to gay and lesbian couples. The California Supreme Court later ruled Newsom had acted illegally in granting the licenses.

The court nullified the marriages but said the decision was the result of Newsome's action alone, leaving open legal challenges to state law barring same-sex marriage.

Newsome's administration joined gay couples in challenging the law.

In March 2005 a Superior Court judge in San Francisco ruled that the law denying same-sex marriage was unconstitutional.

The state appealed and the California Court of Appeal in a split decision overturned the ruling. The case then was appealed to the state Supreme Court.

Earlier this month the justices heard arguments in the case with a decision likely within the next 90 days.

Bills that would have allowed same-sex marriage passed the legislature twice as the court case slowly made its way to the high court. Both bills were vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

©365Gay.com 2008

[msongs]

1. hope he doesnt plan to treat the state the way he treated his wife nt

[MaryCeleste]

2. Or for that matter the city budget

Revenue is rising but he is outspending even that