Overheard in Fog City: Kim Confirms Lee Endorsement

Supervisor Jane Kim and interim Mayor Ed Lee. File photo by Luke Thomas.

By Luke Thomas

August 1, 2011

Though interim Mayor Ed Lee has not, as yet, declared his candidacy to seek a full term, District 6 Supervisor Jane Kim confirmed today she will endorse Lee.

Asked if she would endorse Lee if he enters the mayor’s race, Kim told FCJ, “Yes.”

The development is significant in that it may answer the question of why Kim declined to endorse former roommate and political simpatico, David Chiu, when Chiu came knocking for Kim’s endorsement in February. It also suggests that Kim has known all along that Lee is going to run for mayor.

“[Supervisor Jane Kim] is not currently endorsing anyone in the mayor’s race at this time,” said Kim’s legislative aide, Sunny Angulo following Chiu’s campaign for mayor kickoff event in February. “As a general rule, she doesn’t make early endorsements. She appreciates that people wait until everyone gets into the race.”

So much for political reciprocation, Chiu endorsed Kim in last year’s hotly contested race for District 6 Supervisor.

Olague Denies Seeking Appointment to D5 Supe

Planning Commissioner Christina Olague today denied a suggestion that her co-chairship of the “Run, Ed, Run” campaign may have been inspired by designs she may have on becoming the next D5 Supe.

“That’s not why I’m doing this, seriously,” Olague said in response to FCJ inquiry following a “Run, Ed, Run” campaign rally on the steps of City Hall earlier today.

It has been speculated that should Lee enter the race for mayor and win, and D5 Supe Ross Mirkarimi wins the race for sheriff, Olague, for her support of Lee’s candidacy, would be rewarded with a D5 appointment by Lee to serve out the remainder of Mirkarimi’s term on the Board.  Such an appointment would provide Olague with incumbency status over her fellow contestants.

Asked if she has ruled out a possible run for the D5 seat, Olague said, “I have no ambitions to run for supervisor, but I wouldn’t rule it out.”

Planning Commissioner Christina Olague

Speaking of D5 supe appointment possibilities should Mirkarimi win the race for sheriff, we’re hearing former D5 contestant and SEIU organizer Gabriel Haaland, and Community College Board Trustee John Rizzo, are both backing Yee for mayor.

As to who will win Yee’s affections should he win the mayoralty, it comes down to what’s more important to Yee: Haaland’s SEIU 1021 army, or Rizzo’s help in getting Yee the Sierra Club endorsement?

Quotes of the Day (at the final “Run, Ed, Run” campaign rally)

“Selfish pack of politicians. What have you done? Who are you to question the integrity of Ed Lee?”
-Victor Hwang, “Run, Ed, Run” co-chair.

“If Ed Lee wants to be the next Don Perata, he should enter the mayor’s race.”
- A source working on the Leland Yee for mayor campaign.

“This is my political family here. I recognize all these people here.”
- A former Willie Brown administration employee.

Luke Thomas

Luke Thomas is a former software developer and computer consultant who proudly hails from London, England. In 2001, Thomas took a yearlong sabbatical to travel and develop a photographic portfolio. Upon his return to the US, Thomas studied photojournalism to pursue a career in journalism. In 2004, Thomas worked for several neighborhood newspapers in San Francisco before accepting a partnership agreement with the SanFranciscoSentinel.com, a news website formerly covering local, state and national politics. In September 2006, Thomas launched FogCityJournal.com. The BBC, CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox News, New York Times, Der Spiegel, San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Magazine, 7x7, San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco Bay Guardian and the San Francisco Weekly, among other publications and news outlets, have published his work. Thomas is a member of the Freelance Unit of the Pacific Media Workers Guild, TNG-CWA Local 39521 and is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists.

More Posts - Website

Follow Me: