San Francisco Supes Consider Nominees For Interim Mayor
SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) -- The San Francisco Board of Supervisors Tuesday night considered nominating either City Administrator Ed Lee of Sheriff Michael Hennessey to serve as interim mayor to replace outgoing Mayor Gavin Newsom, but postponed taking a vote until Friday.
At a board meeting Tuesday that spanned more than eight hours, there was vociferous debate between the board's progressive and moderate factions. The progressives nominated Hennessey, and Lee was chosen by the moderates.
Just as it appeared likely that Lee had the six votes necessary to be nominated, several progressive board members requested a continuance until Friday in order for them to have time to speak with Lee about the appointment. Lee is on vacation in Hong Kong this week.
KCBS' Bob Melrose Reports:
A special meeting of the board is now scheduled for Friday at 3 p.m. at City Hall.
The board cannot officially appoint a replacement until Newsom takes office as lieutenant governor, but the mayor's office signaled Tuesday that Newsom would be satisfied with either Lee or Hennessey as interim mayor.
Newsom had delayed his swearing-in this week in order to prevent the current 11-member board from appointing an interim mayor with a far-left political agenda. Four new board members will take office this Saturday.
Newsom has called for a mayor that would not seek higher office and would guide the city through this year's budget difficulties until the next mayoral election, which takes place in November.
Progressives have seen the appointment as an opportunity to replace the moderate Newsom with someone more to their liking.
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