Gonzalez decides against mayor race - Newsom to face field of unknowns

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 7/31/7 | Cecilia M. Vega

[SmithL]

Matt Gonzalez, the former San Francisco supervisor who was city progressives' last hope for a big-name candidate to challenge Mayor Gavin Newsom in his re-election quest, said Monday he will not run for mayor this fall.

The decision follows weeks of serious consideration by Gonzalez, who narrowly lost to Newsom in 2003, and paves the way for the mayor to run for re-election in November without facing serious opposition.

In an interview with The Chronicle Monday, Gonzalez said polling showed voters seem to be complacent about the problems the city faces and do not hold Newsom accountable for those ills - two factors that would be nearly impossible to overcome as a challenger.

"I said from the outset that I didn't think a rematch was ideal, and I really encouraged other people to get in the race," he said.

The 30 potential challengers who have so far filed paperwork with the city's Department of Elections declaring their intention to run are largely political unknowns. They include blogger Josh Wolf, former Supervisor Tony Hall, a man who goes by the name Chicken John, as well as a nudist activist, meat packer and a homeless man.

In June the city's progressives gathered for a convention in hope of nominating a candidate to challenge Newsom, but no names emerged. In recent weeks Gonzalez was regularly mentioned in City Hall circles as a possible contender, and Newsom's re-election team even had a press release ready to go anticipating his candidacy announcement.

Gonzalez, 42, said he spent a considerable amount of time mulling whether to run, but in the end, decided against it. . . .

[SmithL]

Gonzalez speaks for all those San Franciscans that consider Gavin "Any Twosome" Newsom to be far too conservative.

[rogue yam]

...as well as a nudist activist, meat packer and a homeless man.

Please tell me that's not one guy. Lie if you have to.

[SmithL]

...as well as a nudist activist, meat packer and a homeless man.
Please tell me that's not one guy. Lie if you have to.

Of course that's not one guy!

actually, that could describe a lot of people in the "Special City".