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 Rumors Continue To Swirl Around SF Mayor
Newsom
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: March 26, 2008 - 5:00 pm ET
(San Francisco, California) Day by day San
Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom is sounding more and more as though he already is
running for Governor.
Tuesday he went to the Sacramento Press Club for
a speech on health care - especially for the poor. It was an address that many
thought was a test of the gubernatorial waters, but when the question of a 2010
election run was put directly to him he brushed it aside saying it was
speculative and "wildly premature",
but then toyed with reporters, saying that if he felt he could "add
value" to the state he "surely will consider" running.
There already are about a half-dozen Democrats
seriously considering running for governor. The most likely is former
Governor and current Attorney General Jerry Brown.
Both are strong advocates of same-sex marriage.
And, if both decide to seek the nomination it would most certainly end a
longtime friendship between the two.
Newsom gained statewide and national attention on
February 12, 2004 when he instructed the San Francisco city clerk's office to
begin issuing licenses to gay and lesbian couples. The California Supreme Court
later ruled Newsom had acted illegally in granting the licenses.
The court nullified the marriages but said the
decision was the result of Newsome's action alone, leaving open legal challenges
to state law barring same-sex marriage.
Newsome's administration joined gay couples in
challenging the law.
In March 2005 a Superior Court judge in San
Francisco ruled that the law denying same-sex marriage was unconstitutional.
The state appealed and the California Court of
Appeal in a split decision overturned the ruling. The case then was appealed to
the state Supreme Court.
Earlier this month the justices heard arguments
in the case with a decision likely within the next 90 days.
Bills that would have allowed same-sex marriage
passed the legislature twice as the court case slowly made its way to the high
court. Both bills were vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
©365Gay.com 2008
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