San Francisco’s Worst Kept Secret: Ed Lee Will Run For Mayor
Following what seemed like an endless month of questions asking if he would go back on his word and enter the San Francisco mayoral race, Ed Lee filed the necessary paperwork on Monday to enter the crowded field of candidates.
When he was named interim mayor back in January to fill the remainder of Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom’s term, he repeatedly told the Board of Supervisors that he planned to return to his job as city administrator. It may make for an uncomfortable few months, as three people who appointed him to the interim post, current Board of Supervisors President David Chiu and former supervisors Bevan Dufty and Michela Alioto-Pier are also candidates.
Lee cited his accomplishments during his seven months in office, including keeping companies like Twitter and Zynga in the city and developing a pension reform proposal for the November ballot as just a few of the reasons he thought he was the best person for the job.
He said he understands that there will be strong feelings on both sides of the ledger over the flip-flop, but he wants to “rebuild trust from people who feel let down.”
In many polls, state Senator Leland Yee has been seen as the front runner, though most did not include Lee as a possible candidate. Let’s just say it will be an interesting few months on the campaign trail in San Francisco.
