Tim has been blogging on the potential Leno v. Migden race for the last four days. Today he wrote about the most recent gossip that Leno announced that he was running against Migden at the Harvey Milk Holiday party. I have heard conflicting reports about whether Mark actually announced. I was there but missed his speech so I can’t confirm the rumors. Anyway, the funniest part of Tim’s most recent post is that the url (or is it called permalink?) is Leno v. Newsom, not Leno v. Migden. My guess is that it is a Freudian slip on Tim’s part, although most think Leno would be an incredibly strong challenger to Newsom given that his positives are over 70 percent.
Check it out: http://www.sfbg.com/blogs/politics/2006/12/leno_v_newsom_its_official.html
The other interesting part is that Tim argues that it won’t be a left v. center race like the Britt/Leno race. I agree. On almost every issue, Leno has pushed the progressive envelope in Sacramento, everything from tenants rights to criminal justice reform.
Today, Matier and Ross reported that Leno has done a poll on the State Seate race.
December 17th, 2006 at 11:01 pm
The latest gossip is that Migden is running in the Mayor’s race. Maybe it’s to get her name out before she runs for re-election for State Senate in 2008.
December 18th, 2006 at 8:30 am
I just happened to get the phone poll a couple of weeks ago. The poll was all about perceptions of Migden and Leno, and who I would vote for if the 2 faced each other for the state Senate. Clearly, Leno is seriously considering running against Migden.
December 18th, 2006 at 9:26 am
I’ve heard the same thing about Migden running for Mayor. I think it would be good press for her and it would really clarify the differences between Newsom and the politcal left. Run Carole Run!
December 18th, 2006 at 5:24 pm
I agree that it won’t be the traditional moderate/left split. Mark Leno has really been a champion of progressive issues since getting elected to the State Assembly — and unlike Gavin Newsom and Bevan Dufty who were also originally elected as moderates, he has earned my respect.
I’m a bit younger than a lot of folks here — but seriously. Besides supporting Steve Westly for Governor, what exactly has Carole Migden been doing in the State Senate??
December 19th, 2006 at 1:24 am
Here is something that I just read at Fog City Journal:
Leno on Migden challenge (correction)
Dear Editor:
Though I am very appreciative of your interest in the possibility of my candidacy for State Senate District 3, I need to correct your statement that I have declared for that office.
You are accurate in reporting that I have conducted a poll, the results of which are extremely encouraging. However, there are yet a few more pieces to be put in place and considerations to be made before making a final decision. I would imagine that within a month I will know with certainty my next steps.
The interest and encouragement I have been receiving these past weeks from all quarters have been very heartening. Please stay tuned.
Let me wish you and all of your devoted readers happy and healthy holidays.
Mark Leno
California District 13 Assemblymember
San Franciso
December 18, 2006
Editor’s Note: It’s now unofficial that Leno will challenge Midgen for the District 3 seat, but you can bet the farm it will be made official soon. And despite the need for a correction, personal discussions with Leno have most certainly amounted to a perceptable declaration of his intent to run against Migden.