Former San Francisco Supervisor Tony Hall announced today that he has formed an exploratory committee to run for mayor of San Francisco.
Hall said in a statement that he is merely beginning outreach and has not made a final decision on whether to run.
“If I seek the office, it will be because I truly believe I can represent those who currently have no voice in City Hall,” he said. “San Francisco can be a great city again, but I truly believe it needs renewal, and the most important reform is to give the city back to its people.”
Hall was elected supervisor of District 7 in 2000. He resigned in 2004 to become executive director of the Treasure Island Development Authority, but was fired from the post in 2005, in what he claimed was a political maneuver orchestrated by Mayor Gavin Newsom. Shortly thereafter, Hall underwent an ethics investigation that Hall also claimed was politically motivated.
On his campaign website, Hall describes himself as a San Francisco resident for 40 years, a singer and entertainer, and a public servant.
Since leaving office in 2004, Hall said San Francisco has gone in the wrong direction “as special interests and insider agendas have put politics over people.”
He said the city needs a mayor “who isn’t running for higher office.”
City Attorney Dennis Herrera, state Sen. Leland Yee, Supervisor Bevan Dufty, venture capitalist Joanna Rees, and Assessor-Recorder Phil Ting have also announced their intent to run for mayor.
The next mayoral election is Nov. 8, 2011.
Ari Burack, Bay City News
Want more news, sent to your inbox every day? Then how about subscribing to our email newsletter? Here’s why we think you should. Come on, give it a try.
