San Francisco interim mayor Ed Lee announced today he will seek a full four-year term in the upcoming mayoral election, according to news reports.
The Chinese American former city administrator was named mayor, replacing Gavin Newsom, seven months ago on the premise that he would not seek the office once the interim period ended.
“I’ve changed my mind,” Lee told The San Francisco Chronicle. “I know it might be hard for people to understand that change … but my change of mind in seeking this office has everything to do with wanting what’s best for this city.”
He said he had no designs on running for mayor back in January. That’s when the avuncular city administrator with a penchant for goofy jokes had to be talked into taking the job temporarily after then-Mayor Gavin Newsom was elected lieutenant governor.
Lee said he changed his mind after elected officials, including U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, persuaded him to run, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Two current supervisors and two former ones are vying for the [mayoral] seat. Most disappointed among them is Board President David Chiu, who offered a swing vote crucial to Lee’s ascent and has supported key mayoral policies, saying many times that he believed Lee was “a man of his word” and would not run.
Lee’s understated manner and drama-free approach to problem-solving have proved a marked contrast to the contentious battles between moderates and progressives that have plagued recent administrations. The political theater has at times paralyzed accomplishments.
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