Newsom To Delay Assuming Lt. Gov. Office Over Mayoral Replacement
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom indicated he would delay his swearing in as California's Lieutenant Governor - unless he received assurances from the Board of Supervisors that a "caretaker" and not a politician would be selected to replace him as San Francisco's interim mayor.
More specifically, Newsom made clear that he didn't want the interim mayor to be anyone who would run for election in November.
KCBS' Barbara Taylor Reports:
Newsom was supposed to take office as Lt. Governor on January 3, 2011. However, if he were to stick to that timetable, San Francisco's supervisors would have an opportunity to pick his successor as early as Jan. 4. Given the board's progressive bent, Newsom has expressed concern that somebody from the far left would be picked, essentially undoing many of his accomplishments.
"I'll reserve my right to wait until the new board convenes that will have to deal with the decision and consequences of an interim mayor pick," said Newsom.
"I care deeply about who the mayor is and I just want to make sure it's someone that is not going to take us backwards and is going to create a political firestorm because I'll feel some sense of accountability to that."
KCBS and Chronicle Insider Phil Matier
Newsom lacked the power to pick his replacement, but by delaying his departure to Sacramento, he certainly had the power to influence the process.
"I can't just walk away and see everything blow up and there are a few politicians in this town that want to serve on ideological agenda," Newsom alleged.
"The board should pick a caretaker, not a politician. That's my criteria."
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