San Francisco mayoral election, 2007
Encyclopedia
The 2007 San Francisco mayoral election occurred on November 6, 2007. Voters elected a Mayor of San Francisco
and several local officials. Incumbent Mayor Gavin Newsom
was re-elected by a good margin. There were 12 candidates on the ballot as well as 6 write-ins
.
Besides Newsom, other notable candidates included Josh Wolf
, a journalist who was jailed for refusing to testify and turn over video evidence to a federal grand jury. Another candidate, "Chicken" John Rinaldi
, qualified for public financing of his campaign but ran into procedural difficulties with San Francisco's Election Commission.
It was the first mayoral election in San Francisco history to use instant-runoff voting
, also known as ranked-choice voting, so that there would be no need for a run-off. Results of the election weren't known for weeks because every ballot had to be hand-counted due to the long feud between the Elections Department of San Francisco and the California Secretary of State.
are officially non-partisan, though most candidates in San Francisco do receive funding and support from various political parties.
Mayor of San Francisco
The Mayor of the City and County of San Francisco is the head of the executive branch of San Francisco's city and county government. The mayor has the duty to enforce city laws, and the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, the legislative branch....
and several local officials. Incumbent Mayor Gavin Newsom
Gavin Newsom
Gavin Christopher Newsom is an American politician who is the 49th and current Lieutenant Governor of California. Previously, he was the 42nd Mayor of San Francisco, and was elected in 2003 to succeed Willie Brown, becoming San Francisco's youngest mayor in 100 years. Newsom was re-elected in 2007...
was re-elected by a good margin. There were 12 candidates on the ballot as well as 6 write-ins
Write-in candidate
A write-in candidate is a candidate in an election whose name does not appear on the ballot, but for whom voters may vote nonetheless by writing in the person's name. Some states and local jurisdictions allow a voter to affix a sticker with a write-in candidate's name on it to the ballot in lieu...
.
Besides Newsom, other notable candidates included Josh Wolf
Josh Wolf
Josh Wolf is a journalist and video blogger.Josh Wolf is also the name of:* Josh Wolf , comic appearing on season 4 of Last Comic Standing...
, a journalist who was jailed for refusing to testify and turn over video evidence to a federal grand jury. Another candidate, "Chicken" John Rinaldi
Chicken John
"Chicken" John Rinaldi is a showman, musician, mechanic, one-time mayoral candidate, and author living in San Francisco, California. He is involved with the San Francisco Arts community, as well as the Burning Man community, and was proprietor of the influential and now-closed Odeon Bar.- Musician...
, qualified for public financing of his campaign but ran into procedural difficulties with San Francisco's Election Commission.
It was the first mayoral election in San Francisco history to use instant-runoff voting
Instant-runoff voting
Instant-runoff voting , also known as preferential voting, the alternative vote and ranked choice voting, is a voting system used to elect one winner. Voters rank candidates in order of preference, and their ballots are counted as one vote for their first choice candidate. If a candidate secures a...
, also known as ranked-choice voting, so that there would be no need for a run-off. Results of the election weren't known for weeks because every ballot had to be hand-counted due to the long feud between the Elections Department of San Francisco and the California Secretary of State.
Issues
Many ongoing and emerging issues might have influenced this election. They include:- Newsom's popularity - Newsom's approval rating has remained high throughout his first term
- Same-sex marriageSame-sex marriageSame-sex marriage is marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or social gender. Supporters of legal recognition for same-sex marriage typically refer to such recognition as marriage equality....
- Newsom's 2004 directive permitting the issuance of marriage licenses to same-sex couplesSan Francisco 2004 same-sex weddingsThe San Francisco 2004 same-sex weddings took place between February 12 and March 11, 2004. Newly-elected San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom gained international attention and attracted controversy when he issued a directive to the city-county clerk to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples...
played a key role in garnering wide approval from the largely liberal city. - Potholes, infrastructure, deferred maintenance, and the mayor's plans to improve MuniSan Francisco Municipal RailwayThe San Francisco Municipal Railway is the public transit system for the city and county of San Francisco, California. In 2006, it served with an operating budget of about $700 million...
. - Keeping the San Francisco 49ersSan Francisco 49ersThe San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
football team within city limits, as the team has threatened to move to a more spacious suburban stadium in Santa Clara County. The move would create a situation similar to that of the New York JetsNew York JetsThe New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and New York GiantsNew York GiantsThe New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, who both play at the New Jersey MeadowlandsNew Jersey MeadowlandsNew Jersey Meadowlands, also known as the Hackensack Meadowlands after the primary river flowing through it, is a general name for the large ecosystem of wetlands in northeast New Jersey in the United States. The Meadowlands are known for being the site of large landfills and decades of...
. - The city's high homicide rate might also hurt Newsom during the campaign. A national survey gives San Francisco low marks for public safety. Indeed, San Francisco ranked well below both Los AngelesLos ÁngelesLos Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
and New York CityNew York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. - Homelessness and transportation issues from previous years remain relevant. Public perception of the mayor's "Care, Not Cash" program (which reduces welfare payments in favor of long-term subsidized housing) will likely inform the debate.
- On February 1, 2007, Newsom admitted to having an affair with his campaign manager's wife, who was working in City Hall. Newsom later apologized about the scandal.
Results
Municipal elections in CaliforniaCalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
are officially non-partisan, though most candidates in San Francisco do receive funding and support from various political parties.
External links
- Act Locally SF; Official Campaign Website for Gavin Newsom
- Race for Mayor 2007
- San Francisco Examiner's "San Francisco's Next Mayor?" Page
- Cast of characters livens up the field