Calling Mark Leno “The Best Choice for Change” in the California State Legislature, Newsom Will Publicly Announce His Endorsement Tonight at Herbst Theatre

SAN FRANCISCO, February 13, 2008 – San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom today endorsed Mark Leno for State Senate, citing his impressive legislative career and advocacy for San Francisco in the State Assembly.

“Here in San Francisco we have benefitted tremendously from Mark’s public service – first as a Supervisor and now as an Assemblyman. I have known Mark for more than 15 years and there is no question Mark Leno is the best choice for change, which is why I am most pleased to endorse Mark Leno for State Senate,” Mayor Newsom said.

“Since Mark became a San Francisco Supervisor in 1998, he has long been a champion for good public policy. Whether it was starting San Francisco’s first city car-share program, enabling City buildings to have solar panels installed on their rooftops, protecting tenants from eviction, or fighting for civil rights in Sacramento with his Marriage Equality Bill, Mark Leno has been our most effective advocate,” Newsom continued.

Mayor Newsom will provide his public endorsement of Mark Leno this evening
immediately prior to the 7:30 p.m. screening of “Pursuit of Equality”
(http://www.pursuitofequality.com/sfscreening/) at San Francisco’s Herbst Theatre – 401 Van Ness Boulevard.

“Mark and I have fought side-by-side in the struggle for full civil rights for all. While Mark was in Sacramento working tirelessly on his Marriage Equality Bill, here in San Francisco we were issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples for the first time. As Assemblyman, Mark has also partnered with the City to ban gun shows at Cow Palace to promote public safety,” Newsom said.

“As my campaign for the State Senate enters the final four months, I am most grateful to have Mayor Newsom’s endorsement. Our City has benefitted greatly from his executive stewardship, and I look forward to continuing to work with him as a State Senator to make San Francisco a better place to live,” Leno said.

Coming off his blockbuster reelection victory in November 2007, Newsom’s endorsement of Leno’s candidacy gives his campaign a significant boost in the coming months ahead.

Leno – a long-time a proponent for campaign finance reform and full public funding for campaigns – is symbolic of the new breed of elected officials being elected in San Francisco and throughout the rest of the country. Eschewing backroom deals and the politics of the status quo, Leno and Newsom are symbols of a new political order. They are elected officials that are active and accessible in the community and that lead and legislate from the bottom up rather than from the top down. Their legislation and public policy initiatives are characterized by public consensus and a deep desire for change in the way we govern and conduct ourselves in society.