Who Will Challenge Newsom in 2007?Randy Shawbyline‚ Dec. 05‚ 2006It did not take long after November 7 for San Francisco activists to begin considering possible opponents for Mayor Gavin Newsom next year. There are two views about challenging well-funded incumbent Mayors who do not appear politically vulnerable. Some believe it is risky not to challenge incumbents, as it leaves them feeling that they are not constrained by popular concerns. Others see a race involving a candidate with little chance of victory as unnecessarily divisive, as it can jeopardize future alliances between allies who split over the mayor’s race. The Los Angeles mayor’s race in 1997 and San Francisco’s in 1999 offer parallels to our situation, with both lacking a clear challenger at the start of the re-election year. |