Gavin Newsom Booted from S.F. Democratic Party

Don't let the door hit you on the way out

​Whether Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom is living in San Francisco no longer seems to be a question -- or at least it's not a political concern.

In a final fare thee well, Aaron Peskin, chairman of the local Democratic County Central Committee, removed Newsom from the committee this week, saying, "The rules are the rules."

He said he made his decision based on the fact that Newsom has moved to Marin and sold his house in San Francisco.
Peskin had written to Newsom earlier this summer after the former mayor decided to relocate his family to Marin County, asking him to clarify his living situation. At the time, Peskin pointed out that Newsom would have to join the Marin Democratic Party if he was living in Marin. Newsom never responded, yet sent a proxy to the next DCCC meeting, who informed the committee that Newsom was indeed a resident of our fair city.

But then news reports came out that Newsom's house was for sale -- and within a week the Newsoms had signed a deed which confirmed their San Francisco digs had been sold.

"It became abundantly clear that he had relinquished his seat [on the DCCC] because he's required to be a resident of San Francisco," Peskin told SF Weekly.

Of course, the rules also work in Peskin's favor. As the Appeal noted, Newsom's removal will give the more progressive candidates a boost when it comes time for endorsements. We reached out to Newsom's spokesman, Francisco Castillo, but have heard no word back.

"I don't see what the big deal is. We are just following the rules," Peskin says.

Follow us on Twitter at @SFWeekly and @TheSnitchSF