Gavin Newsom Won’t Seek California Senate Seat

[brooklynite]

Source: Roll Call

California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Monday he will not seek the Senate seat opened by the retirement of Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer.

Newsom, a former mayor of San Francisco, was among the Democrats mentioned last week as potentially formidable candidates in 2016. Others still in the mix include Attorney General Kamala Harris, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and billionaire Tom Steyer, as well as a few members of Congress.

Now at the start of his second term as lieutenant governor, Newsom’s decision indicates he is eyeing a gubernatorial run in 2018, when Gov. Jerry Brown will be termed out.

“It’s always better to be candid than coy,” Newsom said in a statement posted to his Facebook page. “While I am humbled by the widespread encouragement of so many and hold in the highest esteem those who serve us in federal office, I know that my head and my heart, my young family’s future, and our unfinished work all remain firmly in the State of California — not Washington D.C.”

Read more: http://atr.rollcall.com/gavin-newsom-wont-seek-california-senate-seat/?dcz=

[Mr.Bill]

1. That's good news.

I really want him to be the next Governor.

[Dawgs]

4. He would be great as Governor.

Wish he could do both.

[dhill926]

9. yep….

and with a return of the super majority….

[yuiyoshida]

10. I would love to vote for him

I met him once, he was a pretty cool guy!

[KeepItReal]

2. Attorney General Kamala Harris, then?

That would rock.

[randys1]

3. That is how it is shaking out, I think.

I look forward to the day when there is not a single republican in a single political office in the entire state of California.

[Brother Buzz]

5. Jackie Speier's name is seriously being bandied about in some back rooms...

According to one talking head on my local NPR station just this morning

[Auggie]

8. Speier would be great ... I'd also support Congresswoman Barbara Lee

[Xithras]

11. Honestly, I'd prefer to see Harris as governor and Tom Steyer as Senator.

Politically, Newsom is a pro business Democratic moderate. He's been described by many as a "male Dianne Feinstein", which is a problem for MANY liberal voters. Kamala Harris has been publicly described as the "anti-Palin", and has a long history of being proactive on environmental and social issues. She even took on the banks and wrote the California Homeowners Bill of Rights, which is now law in CA, which curbed their foreclosure abuses long before the feds had any interest in the subject. She also recently ordered a review of California's law enforcement practices, and is one of very few political leaders who has acknowledged that there really is a problem. Her positions on other issues clearly shows that she's a better liberal than Gavin Newsom.

I have no doubt that Harris could do great things in the Senate, but I'd rather see her running the state.

Tom Steyer is a good Democrat, an active environmentalist, has the resources to run, and already has political connections at the national level. I'd prefer to see HIM in the Senate, over Harris.

There's certainly a political role for Newsom somewhere, but I don't want to see him guiding national policy. The Chamber of Commerce already has enough Senators in their pocket.

[SoapBox]

6. Villaraigosa...NO!

Worthless...we would never vote for him.

And Garamendi...surprised to see he was on the list of Dems that voted to weaken Wall Street reforms. I will be keeping an eye on him.

[BumRushDaShow]

7. Kamala! Kamala!

Crossing fingers!!!