Tony Hall Announces S.F. Mayoral Run

May 24 - KGO (KGO) -- San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom found out late today who the first major challenger will be in his race for re-election. Former Supervisor Tony Hall made the announcement to the I-Team that he's running.

A lot of people thought Tony Hall would run and Thursday he made it official, filing papers with the Department of Elections. If our interview is any indication, it's going to be an entertaining race.

Dan Noyes met Tony Hall at his West Portal home for the announcement.

Tony Hall, candidate for S.F. mayor: "I'm announcing today, Dan, to run for the mayor of the city and county of San Francisco."

In a wide-ranging interview, Hall took on his former colleague on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, now mayor, Gavin Newsom.

Tony Hall, candidate for S.F. mayor: "I think the quicker he gets on to Sacramento or Washington, the better off the city's going to be. He's been using the city as a stepping stone and that is unfair to the people of this city."

Hall has a long, contentious history with Newsom.

Tony Hall to Gavin Newsom (from June 24, 2003): "Let me give you a little bit of advice from someone who's been working for the betterment of this city for almost as long as you've been alive."

The problems came to a head after the mayor's triple play three years ago. Newsom wanted an ally on the Board of Supervisors, so he got his aide, Sean Elsbernd, to take Tony Hall's spot. Hall went to head Treasure Island with a pay raise, replacing Annemarie Conroy, who went to the Office of Emergency Services.

A few months passed and Hall started blasting Newsom for protecting his political supporters. They have the contract to develop Treasure Island, but failed to meet deadlines for the plans.

Tony Hall (from September 2005): "It's an inside deal, it's structured to reward the mayor's biggest donors or a group of his largest donors."

Dan Noyes (from September 2005): "Hall says that you're trying to make sure that your supporters keep control of the contract."

Mayor Gavin Newsom (from September 2005): "Laughable."

Dan Noyes (from September 2005): "Anything else?"

Mayor Gavin Newsom (from September 2005): "And overtly outrageous."

Hall got fired from the TI post. Now, he's back, taking on his former boss and what would seem to be Newsom's biggest accomplishments -- programs such as "Care Not Cash".

Tony Hall, candidate for S.F. mayor: "That's been a colossal failure by his administration's own figures. We have some 25 to 30 percent more homeless people in San Francisco today than we had four years ago. We're now spending $1 billion dollars as opposed to $200 million dollars. That's one billion with a B."

Ben Tulchin, pollster, Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research: "Just on the surface, based on the poll numbers I've seen, I think it is fair to call it a suicide mission."

Pollsters say Hall has his work cut out for him with Newsom's approval ratings over 60 percent.

Ben Tulchin, pollster, Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research: "The dynamic of this race is that Tony Hall gets in, other candidates may be emboldened to enter the race, and then that could complicate things for the mayor."

Hall believes that Newsom's City Hall sex scandal could have an impact.

Tony Hall, candidate for S.F. mayor: "People are becoming increasingly frustrated with the fact that he has not addressed the problems, increasingly frustrated that maybe he can't be trusted."

Hall told us he wants to be mayor for his seven kids, their friends and their future. He explained why he didn't hold that typical news conference or rally to announce he's running for mayor.

Tony Hall, candidate for S.F. mayor: "This is to me an announcement for mayor that I think is the way it should be done. This is going to go on to the people of the city and county of San Francisco. This is what they're crying for. They want honesty, openness and integrity in government."

Mayor Newsom had no response to Hall's announcement when the I-Team caught up to him late Thursday at City Hall.

Mayor Gavin Newsom: "Guys, any other network, I'd be happy to talk to."

But at Newsom's campaign headquarters, his spokesperson told us it's a relief the race can finally begin.

ABC7's Dan Noyes: "What's your reaction?"

Jennifer Pettrucione, Newsom campaign spokesperson: "Welcome to the race. Mayor Newsom welcomes all the candidates to the debate. This race is about issues, this race is about homelessness, this race for Mayor Newsom is about whether your bus came on time, whether the pothole's been fixed."

I-Team Blog
For a complete list of Tony Hall's experience in local government, read the I-Team blog.

Watch our entire interview with Tony Hall below:

Have a tip on this or another investigation? E-mail the ABC7 I-Team or call 1-888-40-I-TEAM.

Get more News »

• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•