Newsom Announces Re-election Bid

November 22, 2006 @ 12:00 PM

San Francisco Gavin Newsom, who expressed some doubts about running for re-election a few weeks ago, apparently has decided to take the plunge. In a fundraising appeal I received last night, Newsom outlines his accomplishments (from health care to marriage equality to job creation) and promises an energetic re-election effort.

Here's the text of the letter (minus the direct solicitation for funds):

Four years ago, you supported my campaign for Mayor of San Francisco. Your early help meant so much to me personally, and it was a key factor in our successful effort. I can't thank you enough for all of your help during that hard-fought campaign and for all you have done since then to support our administration.

Now, I face re-election as Mayor of San Francisco with the daunting realization that there is much more to be accomplished if we want to make sure San Francisco lives up to its full promise and potential.

Will you join us again?

I'm proud that we have won key fights to make our government more effective, our economy stronger, our city more tolerant, and our lives a little easier.

I'm proud that our universal health care plan passed this year. Proud that we stood up for equality for all San Franciscans by supporting gay marriage, that we are becoming the national center for stem cell research and biotechnology, that we are leveraging our strong econoy to promote job training and economic opportunity for those who have been left out of previous economic expansions. I am proud that we are on our way to becoming the most environmentally sustainable city in America, taht we've worked every day to address the homeless crisis and have helped thousands of people transition off the streets.

Despite these accomplishments, I know there is much more to do. That's why I am running for re-election next year...Mayoral races are always hard-fought. In fact, the incumbent lost in two out of the last three re-election campaigns.

That's why we are not going to take anything for granted in this effort. I will be out at bus stops in the morning and at community meetings at night. We are going to do the same thing we did last time -- reach out to every single San Franciscan and ask each one to join us in a campaign to protect and enhance what is best about the city we share ...

While I know this campaign is certain to be hard-fought, I am looking forward to it. This is the chance to take our platform directly to the people of San Francisco. And this is our chance to unite again as a family of people who share the goal of a better city. I look forward to working with you again.