Leno Victory Marks New Era in San Francisco Politics

Lime on Market Street near Castro was crowded with Mark Leno supporters when the candidate took the microphone just before midnight. He had already taken the concession calls from Carole Migden and Joe Nation and was primed to celebrate his victory over an incumbent senator, whom Leno supporter Paul Hogarth had just taken a couple subtle digs at as he introduced Leno, suggesting that Migden didn't listen to her constituents or play by the rules.

Leno then gave a speech that demonstrated the unique package of issues, enemies and allies that he has turned into a winning coalition. "Tom Ammiano, it's gonna be a helluva lot of fun serving with you," Leno said of the man who will succeed him with his endorsement. "I just heard Prop. E passed," Leno continued, referencing the measure that will submit the mayor's SFPUC appointments to Board of Supervisors approval. "As an early supporter, I was happy to see that." That stand was already a hopeful sign of his independence from Mayor Gavin Newsom and PG&E, but then he really went after the company, which had funded a hit piece mailer by a group calling itself Californians to Protect Children, trotting out some old sleaze about Leno being soft on pedophiles because he resisted right wing efforts to capitalize on crime fears.

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http://www.sfbg.com/blogs/politics/2008/06/leno_celebrates_tough_win.html

Wednesday, June 4, 2008 :(San Francisco, California) In what was characterized as a grudge match between two of California's most prominent gay politicians, Assemblymember Mark Leno has defeated incumbent state Sen. Carole Migden in the Democratic primary.

Leno is best known for having introduced legislation to permit same-sex marriage in California.  The measure passed the legislature twice and both times Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed the bills.

He and Migden also are responsible for a number of other LGBT bills that have passed into law.

But because of term limits Leno is barred from seeking another term in the Assembly. Migden was eligible to stay in office until 2012.

His decision to seek the Bay-area state Senate seat of Migden was seen as payback.

Migden, 59, was one of the first gays elected to the legislature, after having served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

Leno had been her political protege and Migden helped him get appointed to the Board of Supervisors in 1998. 

In 2002 then-Assemblymember Migden was termed out and decided to run for the Senate.  Leno ran for her Assembly seat, but Migden supported former Supervisor Harry Britt in the primary.

Leno won but he and Migden had been at odds ever since.

Migden has a reputation for being short tempered and for exhibiting headline grabbing behavior.

In one incident, in 2005, Migden walked onto the Assembly floor during a vote on a bill she was backing and pushed the voting button of a Republican lawmaker while he was away from his desk.

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