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Unofficial word went around yesterday that San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom will be running for Lt. Governor. The former gubernatorial candidate, however, quickly said he's not announcing anything yet.
If he does, in fact, announce the move between now and last day to file in the next few weeks, he'll be facing L.A. City Councilmember Janice Hahn, who announced her candidacy in December. Hahn has aggressively been working her campaign, garnering several endorsements already, even some from the Gavin's Bay Area, including the Cal Berkeley Democrats and Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan.
Lt. Governor is a relatively unknown elected position to the public at large. On her website, Hahn describes it as:
In addition to serving as Acting Governor in the absence of the Governor, and as President of the California State Senate, the Lieutenant Governor chairs the Commission for Economic Development, which is responsible for providing support and guidance to the Governor, Legislature and private sector to foster economic development. The Commission promotes a financially and environmentally sustainable growth economy that stimulates private investment, develops the domestic workforce, generates more high value jobs and diversifies public revenue. The Lieutenant Governor is a voting member of:
The Lieutenant Governor also is a member of:
- The UC Board of Regents - The governing board of the University of California
- CSU Board of Trustees - The governing board of the California State University
- The State Lands Commission - Provides stewardship of the lands, waterways, and other natural resources. The Lieutenant Governor also usually chairs this three-member commission.
- Ocean Protection Council - Ensures that California maintains a healthy, resilient, and productive ocean and coastal ecosystems.
- The California Emergency Council - The official advisory body to the Governor of California in times of emergency and on matters pertaining to emergency preparedness.