By Jason Dearen
The Associated Press
Ed Lee
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Interim Mayor Ed Lee filed papers Monday, Aug. 9, to run for a full, four-year term, marking a stark shift from his position seven months ago that he had no intention of joining the crowded mayoral race.
Flanked by family members as he announced his run, Lee said he changed his mind after seeing the tone of City Hall improve during his short tenure. That, and the urging of California Sen. Dianne Feinstein and others, persuaded him to run for the office, he said.
“I think these seven months have been a demonstration of how this city could work with less politics and more getting the job done,” Lee said.
“That’s what I want to do, and while I changed my mind, ladies and gentlemen, I haven’t changed. It’s still Ed Lee, it’s still me doing the work and I want to continue doing that work,” he said, standing in front of the city’s Board of Elections office in the basement of City Hall.
Lee reluctantly agreed in January to serve out the remainder of Gavin Newsom’s term after Newsom was elected lieutenant governor. At the time, Lee expressed eagerness to eventually return to his city administrator post and said he had no interest in joining the race for mayor.
Within the crowded field of candidates, Lee will be running against city supervisors David Chiu and John Avalos, who were on the board that appointed Lee to the job. ♦