Gavin Newsom reportedly considering run for Lynn Woolsey's seat.

[RandySF]

But maybe there’s more to the move than having a place to park his Tesla and a big yard for the munchkins to run around in.

Rep. Lynn Woolsey, who represents Marin County in Washington, D.C., could be announcing her retirement this month, so there may be some political design after all.

“She’s still making her decision and is expected to make an announcement, either way, this month,” said a spokesman for Woolsey, Bart Acocella.

Congressional seats don’t open up very often in the Bay Area, and if Newsom could win the 6th District, he would have a job for life, said a former consultant for Newsom, Jim Ross.

Newsom is young, so he could build up seniority over time, Ross said. If he does a good job on the national level, Newsom could eventually run for the Senate after Barbara Boxer or Dianne Feinstein call it quits.

“Plus, he has the ability to raise money,” Ross said. “The ability to raise money gives you power.”



http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/2011/06/newsom-cuts-ties-city#ixzz1OospZKoJ

[Wind Dancer]

1. She's one of my favorites!

I'd hate to see her give up that seat.

[DisgustipatedinCA]

2. She's my congresswoman, and I'll miss her.

I'm sure Newsom will do just fine (welcome to the North Bay, Gavin), but they broke the mold with Woolsey, and I doubt we'll see someone as progressive as she is being elected in the near term.

[xchrom]

3. Conflicted - I like both of them.

I would love for Gavin to run for governor.

[DFab420]

4. Isn't he LT. Gov now?

[RandySF]

5. Then you didn't have him as a mayor.

Newsom is bright and great on issues like gay rights, civil right, choice, etc. and he may find a true calling as a legislator. But he is a lousy executive. He has a short attention span and tends to pursue big dreams (before abandoning them) while neglecting basics like sanitation and getting the public transportation system to work right.

[xchrom]

9. Nope. He was my mayor. I thought he was great. Nt

[JI7]

6. i don't understand why,he is LT Gov now and doesn't he want to be Gov in the future ?

or even SEnator ?

i think the best way for him to get there would be by doing a good job as LT Gov now.

[RandySF]

7. He has a short attention span

He admitted to the SF press that he was bored with being mayor. He must be bored again.

[Shagbark Hickory]

8. he's white house material.

[Mojeoux]

10. And he's already had his shocking sex scandal!!!!

I love Lynn Woosley! I like Newsome. I do hope his scandalous days are done.


:kick:

edited to add :kick:

[provis99]

11. Newsom is the Evan Bayh of California.

[EFerrari]

15. Yep. I was amazed when he let gay couples get married

at city hall because it was so out of character.

[cally]

12. I support Jared Huffman for Congress--our Assemblymember

For the past six months, Woolsey has been hinting she'll resign. Many are running for the Democratic nomination. I'm torn between two or three candidates but I will not support Newsom or anyone who moves into the district at the last minute to run.

I strongly support Jared Huffman who plans to run for Congress. Huffman is a strong environmentalist, a progressive, and intelligent. He's the type of politician who we don't get into Congress all that often because he's very principled and intelligent. I think he will be a great leader in Congress and a great spokesperson for progressive causes..

I campaigned for him 6 years ago when he first ran for the state Assembly.

[Dems to Win]

14. You're right, we don't need no carpetbaggers. We have an abundance of good candidates right here.

[Dems to Win]

13. Norman Solomon has already formed an exploratory committee. I'm excited to have a staunch anti-nuke

candidate to support.

http://normansolomonexploratory.com/

He's a leader of Progressive Democrats of America. Used to write a column (with Mr. Cohen) criticizing the mainstream, pro-war, pro-nuke media.

Much more info at the link.

I've supported Lynn since her very first primary race in 1992, which she won in a field of 9 candidates. The seat was opening up due to the incumbent, Barbara Boxer, running for the Senate (and winning!). We will miss Lynn if she ultimately decides to retire, which she has publicly said she is considering.

A lot depends on redistricting, perhaps. A rough draft of the new map, I've heard, would attach Sonoma County (where Lynn lives) to the North Coast, 1st congressional district, which runs all the way to the Oregon border. Currently, Sonoma is attached to Marin County, to the south, as our 6th Congressional district. Norman lives in Marin County. I will be disappointed if I don't end up in the congressional district that gets to vote for Norman, if that's how it shakes out.

[EFerrari]

16. Losing Woolsey is huge for the progressive caucus.

Lynne has earned her retirement many times over but she will be sorely missed. :(

[madville]

17. He's already had his scandal so probably a good lesson learned

and long enough ago that many won't care or even remember it. Sleeping with the wife of one of your employees is pretty low, he's so good looking though who could really resist.