The What Will Gavin Newsom Do? saga continued unabated Wednesday, as both San Francisco dailies duly reported Mayor Gavin Newsom would totally file — something — declaring his intent to — maybe — run for lieutenant governor.
Late Wednesday afternoon, the state Secretary of State’s Office confirmed: yes, Gavin Christopher Newsom filed, including a 250-word candidate statement.
UPDATE, 5:52 p.m. No so, corrected Secretary of State spokeswoman Shannon Velayas. Newsom did indeed file his 501, and today was indeed the deadline to file a candidate’s statement. However, California election law dictates that the SoS’s office cannot confirm nor deny the filing of a personal statement until Tuesday.
SECOND UPDATE: The Chronicle dug up what we could not, Gavin Newsom’s personal statement for the ballot (confirming its existence, and, we suppose, ours). It’s at the bottom of this story.
On Wednesday, Newsom filed something called a Form 501, Secretary of State’s Office spokeswoman Shannon Velayas said. On that form, a candidate indicates which office he or she desires, whether or not the candidate will accept voluntary spending limits, and can also attache a personal statement for the voter pamphlet. Once a 501 is filed, a candidate can begin raising money.
Newsom will accept voluntary spending limits ($5,178,000 for the primary election, and $7,768,000 for the general election) and his personal statement will be made public on Tuesday, along with everyone else’s, Velayas said. (We’ve put a call into Newsom’s campaign office to see if they’re willing to spill the beans to us before then, and will update if they do.)
Other outlets duly reported a second deadline — March 12. That’s the last day Newsom (or any one else, but let’s face it, the only reason you’re reading this is because it’s Newsom) can file nomination papers with the county election office.
Newsom must file those papers by that date if he is to appear on the June primary ballot for the Democratic nomination to the lieutenant governor’s office. He could technically file those papers and then choose to not run — why not, at this point — but that’s the next deadline.
Until then, for both Newsom and us, it’s back to making sure the good ship C&C of San Francisco runs smoothly.
As promised, here’s Gavin Newsom’s personal statement:
I’m running for Lieutenant Governor because it’s time for us to finally shake up Sacramento and reform state government. As San Francisco Mayor and County Supervisor, I have a proven track record of tackling big problems that others ignore, offering bold ideas and delivering real results. That’s why our City is the first in America daring to provide quality health care for every single resident – regardless of pre-existing medical conditions. On public education, we are valuing our schools, students and teachers and raising our test scores. While others lay off teachers, we’re giving ours more resources to succeed. On the environment, we have the nation’s most aggressive local solar incentives, highest recycling rates and strongest green building standards. We’re investing in comprehensive job training and putting people back to work in the new green economy. Under the Jobs Now initiative, we’ve placed more than 2,000 people into jobs, generated $35 million in local wages and allowed local businesses to succeed during difficult times. And we’ve done it all with balanced budgets and sound fiscal policies that protect taxpayer dollars. I am fired up and ready to change state government. With great humility and optimism, I ask for your vote.
