If Daly Doesn’t File Today, Convention Paved Way for GonzalezPaul Hogarthbyline‚ Jun. 04‚ 2007The Progressive Convention on June 2nd ended with no serious candidate declaring that they will run against Gavin Newsom. Much to the chagrin of many attendees, Ross Mirkarimi adamantly stated that this year is “not my time,” and he will focus on the Board of Supervisors. But Chris Daly never said that he was not running, as he told me right after his speech: “I promised a candidate from this Convention.” Daly added that he can't take out papers until 9:00 a.m. today, and that he will discuss it with his family over the weekend. But with his wife expecting a baby one week before the Election, is it likely to happen? If Daly doesn’t file today, the Convention paved the way for Matt Gonzalez to run. “My whole idea of emerging as a candidate,” said Gonzalez, “was if no candidate emerged from the Convention.” Gonzalez did not attend Saturday’s Convention and had said that he did not want to be considered at the time. Many activists are upset with Gonzalez for not showing up, but practically everyone I talked to said they would support him anyway. Gonzalez is still non-committal about running, but if he does it will be a serious effort to win. And a winning campaign, said Gonzalez, requires a much bigger tent than the 300-odd people who showed up at the Convention. |