Oct 30, 2009 3:37 pm US/Eastern
SF Mayor Newsom Ends Run For California Governor
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS) ―
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San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom speaks to reporters on April 21, 2009, the day he announced that he was running for Governor of California.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, who propelled the debate over gay marriage but struggled to find a popular message outside the Bay Area, dropped his bid Friday for California governor, CBS station KPIX-TV reported.
A statement issued by his campaign cited time constraints and Newsom's growing family as the primary reasons for his withdrawal.
Newsom said he had concluded that he was unable to devote the time needed to run an effective campaign.
"With a young family and responsibilities at City Hall, I have found it impossible to commit the time required to complete this effort the way it needs to -- and should be -- done," he said in the statement.
Newsom said while he regretted being unable to continue, he felt the decision was in the best interests of his wife, young daughter and the city.
His announcement was not a surprise to those following the Democratic campaign. Newsom was unable to find the same popularity throughout California that he enjoyed in his home city.
He trailed state Attorney General Jerry Brown badly in fundraising, even though Brown had not officially announced his candidacy.
Newsom's statement thanked his supporters and he vowed to continue fighting for universal health care, a cleaner environment, a green economy, better education and civil rights.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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