Saying his “young family” and his day job were bigger priorities, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom pulled out of the race for California governor today.

Newsom was once a Democratic Party rising star. Then:

• his 2004 gay marriage fiat handed right-wingers an issue to organize around, and some say it helped send George Bush to the White house for a second term.
• His marriage to TV news reporter Kimberly Guilfoyle fell apart at the beginning of 2005.
• In early 2007, he admitted an affair with his campaign manager’s wife, and a problem with alcohol.
• His “it’s gonna happen whether you like it or not” taunting was successfully used against gay marriage by Prop. 8 backers in 2008.

And then in April this year he announced he was running for governor. So we see how well that went.

Newsom’s second term as San Francisco mayor lasts through 2011.

This April 8 Special Congressional Open Primary Election is being held to elect a candidate to serve the remainder of the term for Californias Congressional District 12. All candidates will appear together on the same ballot, regardless of party affiliation, and voters may vote for any of the candidates, regardless of the voter’s party affiliation….

You may vote in person on or before Election Day beginning on March 24, 2008 outside our office in City Hall, Room 48, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

List of candidates (pdf).

• Michelle T. McMurry, San Francisco, Democrat
• Jackie Speier, Burlingame, Democrat
• Greg Conlon, Atherton, Republican
• Mike Moloney, Foster City, Republican
• Barry Hermanson, San Francisco, Green

Voter info pamplet (pdf, text)