SAN FRANCISCO: Leno, Migden election battle roils Democrats

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 3/19/7 | John Wildermuth

[SmithL]

A looming battle between two of San Francisco's best-known gay and lesbian officeholders already is splitting the Bay Area's Democratic faithful more than a year before their June 2008 face-off.

Assemblyman Mark Leno, 55, is taking on state Sen. Carole Migden in her bid for re-election, and plenty of Democrats are unhappy at the prospect of two powerful progressives duking it out in a bloody party primary.

In a statement after Leno's public announcement earlier this month, state Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, D-Oakland, urged Leno to reconsider. Or else.

"I am disappointed by Mark Leno's challenge of a fellow Democrat with Carole's experience, accomplishments and skill,'' said Perata, who warned that all 25 Senate Democrats "will vigorously defend Sen. Migden. To get her, Mark must come over us.''

Leno, a former San Francisco supervisor, bristled at the suggestion that there's something wrong with challenging another Democrat, particularly someone like Migden, who's been in the thick of the city's political scene since her days as a gay and lesbian rights activist in the 1980s.

"Very simply, this is democracy in action,'' he said in an interview. "Political seats don't belong to the people who hold them, they belong to the voters. An incumbent needs to make the case and earn a second four-year term.''

To Migden, however, Leno's challenge is less about democratic ideals and more about political payback and term limits. In 2002, when Leno was running to replace Migden in the Assembly, she endorsed former Supervisor Harry Britt, another gay Democrat, for the job. Leno beat Britt in a race that left hard feelings in the city's gay community.

Now, after serving his maximum six years in the Assembly, Leno either has to find another political office next year or adjust to life as a private citizen.

[Ieatfrijoles]

Nothin' like a lib slapfight to take your mind off those upcoming circ. #'s huh wildermuth?

[tflabo]

Rat on Rat implosion...fitting for the 'City by the Gay'

[hellbender]

"to get her, Mark must come over us."

"Leno beat Britt in a race that left hard feelings in the city's gay community"

Some double meaning in there, I think.

[Sir Francis Dashwood]

Why don't they just decide it over a circle jerk at a local bath house???

[taxesareforever]

Leno beat Britt in a race that left hard feelings in the city's gay community.

So the gay community was complaining about all those "hard feelings"?

[Lancey Howard]

Now, after serving his maximum six years in the Assembly, Leno either has to find another political office next year or adjust to life as a private citizen.

Nothing like term limits to expose scum-sucking parasites for what they are.
I'm thure the fine folkth of Than Franthicko are jutht thick about thith whole thilly thing.

I'm sure, however, that the gerbil business will continue to thrive.

[Lancey Howard]

By the way, Colt studios held a big party in the city by the bay that was attended by State Assemblyman Mark Leno and other local dignitaries. The occasion was Mayor Gavin Newsom's proclamation of February 23, 2007 as "Colt Studio Day" in San Francisco. Colt Studios is a major gay porn outfit that markets hard-core films all over the world. Their website says, "Come inside to experience the hottest man-on-man action!"

Obviously, Mark Leno's appearance at the party was designed to help him win enough San Fransicko votes to earn him a landslide election victory. And in San Fransicko, it'll probably work.

[wildcatf4f3]

oneday The USA may retake San Fransico.

[Zeroisanumber]

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Rule Number One of San Fran Whacko politics is, Thou shalt not challenge the Politburo.