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News, information and political analysis covering the state capital and public policy in California. Bookmark this page for the very latest political coverage and analysis from the Political Beat team.
Historically, San Francisco Mayors don’t make successful GovernorsBy ROY MORLIDGE Gavin Newsom has made quite a few national news headlines over the past couple of years with his position and support of same-sex marriage. With this surge in prominence, it was almost guaranteed that he would take a shot at running for Governor of California. While many will be looking towards Gavin’s political history, I can’t help but look at the history of San Francisco mayors who became governor. In California’s history as a state, thirty-eight men have served as Governor. Of those thirty-eight, only two had previously served as Mayor of San Francisco. Unfortunately, neither would have fairy tale endings to their administrations. (more…) Race for rare open Bay Area Congressional seat heats up
By STEVEN LUO Of the Bay Area’s eleven Congressional districts, only two have seen competitive races in the last ten years. Only one incumbent has been unseated in that time. Three area congressmen have held their seats for more than 20 years, and two — Pete Stark (D-Fremont) and George Miller (D-Martinez) — are among the ten longest-serving members of the current House. When a job opening so rare, with the promise of that sort of job security, turns up, it’s bound to draw interest. Especially when you don’t have to give up your current job to run, unlike in many cases where a politician tries to move up to a higher post. (more…) John Garamendi faces specter of historical odds in race for Governor
By ROY MORLIDGE When you look at the contenders for the 2010 gubernatorial campaign, there is one position you would expect would serve as a great jumping point for mounting a campaign. That position is the office of Lieutenant Governor and the man currently holding it John Garamendi. Even though the Lt. Governor is a position you don’t often hear about in everyday news, the position is still the state’s highest elective office. As a result, you would think that a Lt. Governor, especially one with the political experience of John Garamendi, would stand a good chance of being elected Governor. (more…) NEWS ANALYSIS: Newsom strives to present self as a uniter
By STEVEN LUO Behind in the polls and saddled with the highest unfavorable rating of any major candidate for governor at this early stage in the race, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom’s “conversation” with voters in Oakland Tuesday night was not only a chance for voters to meet the candidate, but also an opportunity for him to replace the widely-held perception of him as a left-wing “San Francisco liberal” with a more moderate, or at least more conciliatory, image. (more…) Newsom takes quest for California Governorship transbay to Oakland Town Hall meetingBy JENNIFER COURTNEY San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom wrapped up another town hall meeting Tuesday night, this time in Oakland speaking with Alameda County voters. He outlined the major policy proposals he would enact as governor but was repeatedly peppered with questions from his San Francisco constituents concerned with redevelopment in San Francisco’s Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood. The event was one of several statewide “conversations” Newsom is embarking on in the coming months as part of his potential run for governor of the Golden State. He focused heavily on his accomplishments as mayor and repeatedly spoke of the need to stop merely talking about issues and reform. “You’ve got to manifest it. You’ve got to take action,” he said. (more…)
2010: Who will become the 39th Governor of California?By ROY MORLIDGE With Arnold Schwarzenegger now in his final couple of years as Governor of the state of California, it has become quite obvious that there is a long list of names of those preparing to enter the arena to compete for our votes. With an economy seemingly heading towards complete ruin, politicians and community leaders from all around the state have begun their campaigns to see who will become the 39th Governor of California. (more…) |
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About Steven Luo
Luo joins the California Beat staff in February 2008 as political director and public policy analyst covering the statehouse and local government. He serves as the website’s expert on public policy and provides the California Beat audience a detailed look at what’s going on in Sacramento and what it means to residents and taxpayers. Luo brings years of experience analyzing legislation to the website, providing readers with exclusive in-depth reports on local politics that matter most to you. He currently resides in the East Bay.
Luo covers the California political beat exclusively.
E-mail Luo at californiabeat[at]gmail.com.
