Yes, and you should be commended for it. I realize it was a tough call, as this race has been for a lot of progressives, and your endorsement was nuanced and well thought out. Yes, you did the right thing. Thank You.

No. You didn't. Reminds me of your endorsement of Alito. Basically you are a liberal rag so we shouldn't be surprised that you go with the nice liberal instead of the scrappy, mean progressive. Same thing with Alioto and Ammiano.

No.

Probably not, but you write-up does a good job of coming to grips with this tough decision. I've been a little disturbed by how so much of the SF and CA blogosphere has lined up so aggressively behind Leno without acknowledging his shortcomings.

The League of Pissed Off Voters struggled with this one, but we went with Migden. The last straw for a lot of us was Leno's support for Prop G. As much as anything, our endorsement of Migden is a statement that we won't support candidates who won't take the tough stands on local issues.

And the idea of crossing our fingers and hoping that Leno doesn't grow local coattails or actively get involved in the '08 Battle for the Board or the '11 Mayor's race doesn't seem like good strategy.

We'll be posting our take on the ballot by the end of the week at http://www.theleague.com/sf

No, Migden is clearly the better legislator.

Leno has made a career of introducing endless streams of legislation which make it look like he is championing the environment and justice; while many of those bills never even make it out of committee let alone get passed.

Migden actually creates legislation that matters and then she makes damned sure a lot of it actually passes and becomes law.

One of her crowning achievements, the 2002 Community Choice Aggregation law, allows California communities to actively take control of their own electricity supply and kick their private monopoly providers out as energy sellers.

Leno's renewable energy measures have all been fairly meek affairs that help promote a minor smattering of renewables while never actually challenging PG&E's dominance of the Northwest energy grid.

You want to save the planet? Vote for Migden.

Absolutely you got it right. However, the Leno-Migden discussion doesn't really matter. Since Migden has self-destructed, this is a two-person race between Leno and Nation. The only viable progressive choice in this three-way race is Mark Leno.

Yes! Carole's politics may be good, but are no excuse for how she treats people. I don't want to be represented by someone who sees human beings as throw rugs, to be stepped on and abused. Mark has been effective in Sacramento and treats people with dignity and respect. Go Mark!

I would imagine a number of Citiaparments' tenants would be pleased.

In November 2007, the San Francisco Apartment Association gave two awards to CitiApartments. (Full disclosure: CitiApartments was a major financial underwriter of the event at which they received the awards.) As State Senator Carole Migden explains it, the SFAA asked here "office for a certificate in conjunction with their award to CitiApartments." She continues, "CitiApartments was awarded the Property Management Firm of the Year for its service to its tenants, clients, and the industry. … My office provided the certificate based on th[is] specific [award] and did not make judgment on CitiApartments or the award itself."

If you rent from Skyline/Citiapartments (or did before you got evicted by them), you might wonder what kind of service it is that they provide to their tnenants.

Senator Migden has no problem using the resources of her office to honor a landlord that harasses its tenants, illegally evicts tenants, fails to maintain its buildings, twice established a non-negotiable policy of not providing rent receipts, uses hired goons to intimidate and threaten its tenants, and repeatedly distributed three-day notices to pay rent or quit to tenants who were not behind on their rent. This latter is a federal crime under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. This law was enacted specifically to combat organized crime.

As an elected representative, Migden ought to be held accountable for her actions. If she uses the authority of her office to honor organizations as criminal as Skyline Realty/CitiApartments, before the June primary election, her constituents might want to ask why she would do something like that. More importantly, in deciding which of three candidates in the June Democratic primary to vote for, constituents might want to ask why the incumbent State Senator would honor a landlord without even a modicum of investigation of its reputation, tenant satisfaction, the number of complaints filed at the San Francisco Rent Board, and the number of unresolved building code violations in their properties, among other things.

Surely, someone who has been involved in San Francisco politics for as long as Senator Migden must have been aware of the City Attorney’s lawsuit against Skyline/CitiApartments. Two other lawsuits against them have also received media attention, one of which is a civil action under the above-mention RICO Act. As an ostensible friend to labor, Migden might even be expected to know the results of a survey of Skyline/CitiApartments’ tenants conducted several years ago by the Service Employees International Union, Local 1877. The results of that survey were dismal.

Notwithstanding their white-wash/public relations campaign begun two years ago, Skyline/CitiApartments in no way deserves positive recognition for their actions.

The only conclusion I can draw from this is State Senator Carole Migden simply does not care that she gave a certificate of honor to a landlord as reprehensible as Skyline/CitiApartments.

Actually, however, I think Migden is either being disingenuous – or is just plain lying. Here’s why: There is a West Hollywood restaurant, Barney’s Beanery, that is infamous for the "faggots stay out" sign that hung over the bar for many years. The sign was only removed under threat of being prosecuted under the city’s anti-discrimination ordinance. According to Migden, if Barney’s Beanery were currently located in San Francisco and the sign was still hanging above the bar, and had the establishment received an award from the San Francisco Restaurant Association, she would be more than happy to honor the restaurant as well. Had the gay community known what she would have done in this hypothetical situation, she probably would not won election to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors as part of the 1990 "lavender sweep."

Thanks for all the comments. We have been inolved in local politics for a long time, and we've had some tough choices, and I'm still torn about this one and will be for a long time. For those of you who disagree with us, I hope you understand that we take this stuff seriously, that we are a part of the progressive movement in San Francisco but are also an independent paper and we have to call them as we see them and look for what we think is best for the city.

I found the following passage from your endorsement of Leno to be pretty shitty:

"Today, the election looks like a two-person race between Leno and Nation. And the threat of Joe Nation winning this primary is too great for us to mess around."

If you are too afraid to do what might be the right thing (and I think that, underneath it all, your endorsement of Leno had a lot to do with his 'winability'), then be honest enough to admit your cowardice instead of putting down Migden.

snap!

"But I want to put this out to everyone who’s thinking about how to approach this election. The city’s in a crisis. We don’t just need a decent state senator. We need someone who is going to be there, with the money and influence that comes with this bully pulpit, when we need him or her at home." - Tim Redmond (October 29, 2007)

If that's the measure, you got it wrong. Migden has met the test, over the last year and in prior years. Leno has not. He's a great guy and a good legislator, but in a pivotal election year when local progressives could use an aggressive advocate and supporter in the State Senate, I think you made the wrong choice.

Tim,

The bottom line for me, Tim, is you made a compelling argument to not endorse any candidate in the D3 Senate race and yet you endorsed a candidate who supports Prop G as well as, God forbid, having a history of protecting PG&E's monopolistic interests over public power.

My concern is that Mark Leno and Mayor Newsom are using dirt trick to the life force. I am for Carole, we need to improve our relationship which Mark Leno has not.

When I was a homeless advocate, Mark was always accommodating and generous with his time. Migden always acted like she wanted an award for tolerating us.

YES! You absolutely made the right choice in this race to endorse Mark over Carole! Thank you!

Though I have almost been here for 3 years now I have never seen Carole out talking to other constituents like has Mark.

Her campaign is using scare tactics with other members of the California Young Democrats in my case is uncalled for.

I am PROUD to support Mark in his run for State Senate and am doing everything I make this happen.

Yes. Carole is a much better legislator and represents our city better, but as said earlier she is just so mean and hateful to people. I remember working at SFGH hospital in the early 90's when the RN's were threatening to strike. Carole came through the hospital with the hateful Sandra Hernandez and Carole's comment was that the nurses were too greedy. This from 2 women to a group of working class women of color. I just will never vote for this nasty, nasty woman. Don't want to vote for the gay version of Gavin Newsom either, could this open the door for Nation? Some people think so.

You guys absolutely got it right! Mark Leno truly represents San Francisco and he is always in our City to support great causes and grass roots efforts! He also acknowledges people for their hard work and dedication. He really is a man of the people!

Compared to the thoroughbred progressives the Bay Guardian normally champions, Mark Leno pales. But in the California State Assembly, he is a solid and effective progressive voice and progressive vote. Carole Migden, on the other hand, has marginalized herself in the legislature. For the coming 4-year term, she is not the more effective choice for San Francisco and Marin. Leno is.
Ironically, while I live in the very heart of the Castro, the district line between the City's 2 Senate districts runs down the middle of Castro Street, and those of us to the west are in Leland Yee's district. Hopefully we can draw a proper district for the next go-around in 4 years.

Yes, you endorsed the candidate who will bring ethics and morals back to the district. Leno is the progressive choice for change.

So let me get this straight...

Last year we had the progressive convention. Migden showed, Leno stayed home.

Last week you challenged both to speak out against Mayor's budget, Migden did and Leno did not.

Arnold put forward a $9billion prison expansion program, Migden voted no, Leno voted yes.

Migden wrote CCA and Leno wrote a PG&E sponsored bill to lock SF into a state law that your reporter just blogged.."California's horrible Net Metering Law."

Lennar is trying to buy BVHP and Leno supports it and Migden does not.

And you support the guy who is "nicer" and you think has a better chance of winning...

I guess I didn't understand what the Guardian cares about...My bad.

Absolutely - your endorsement of Leno was spot on. Mark Leno has proven himself to be a progressive fighter on many issues important to the citizens of our state. I look forward to seeing an even stronger record of accomplishment as he prepares for an extension of his honorable public service career.

NO NO NO .... GODAMNIT.
If for no other reason than his support for PROP G and opposition to PROP F Leno should have been disqualified from consideration. Where the hell DO you guys stand for godsakes. Sarah Phelan has just contributed an excellent piece of investigative reporting on the evils of Lennar and then you so called 'progressive', or at least liberal, poobahs jump into bed with another of their co-opted stooges.
Hey Bruce, quit listening to tape loops of Tom's latest quips and right this sinking ship. I thought it was your duty to print the news and raise hell, not enable the corporations that are consuming our city.
Why the hell didn't you at least show some consistency, honesty and your true colors by supporting PROP 98, it would seem to be right up your murky alley. Unless of course you've invested some of that recent windfall in a couple of apartment buildings and are planning some OMI's and Ellis actions. In which case,excuse the hell outa me!
Patrick Monk.RN. Noe Valley.

I don't live in the district, so maybe my opinion doesn't count. I work for a Democratic member of the state Legislature and let me just tell you guys, you all would be A LOT better off without Carole Migden and WITH Mark Leno.

Ask any staffer or lobbyist to tell a story about dealing with Migden, almost everyone has one. Whether it be an absurd outburst, irrational questioning, or what have you, Migden takes the cake. And while her promoters would try and spin that as "tough yet effective," what really happens is people shut her out and avoid dealing with her as much as possible. Many of her colleagues can't stand her -- case in point, Ross Johnson who, while correct on the substance of his charges, went well beyond what most FPPC Chairmen have said (granted, no prior enforcement actions were as large)

And ask anyone in the Capitol about Mark Leno, you almost always get a positive one. The guy is just very approachable, very patient and VERY intelligent. As Chair of Appropriations, he has to have a wide array of knowledge on all kinds of subjects -- something quite evident if you see him Chairing. And if you ask Republican members what they think, I notice they always like preface their personal respect and admiration for Leno with "Although I lothe his politics..." That's how you know you've got a real progressive to vote for.

And finally Nation, who by all accounts is a nice and intelligent guy who probably has some nice qualities, but who's politics definitely don't reflect the district. For most of his career in the state Assembly, he was associated with a group called the "Mod Squad," a notorious group of Democratic lawmakers, some in "toss-up" districts, others just closely associated with business interests. They got their reputation by killing many bills on the Assembly floor, mostly environmental bills that business opposed. Towards the end of his career, he started to lib it up and voted more progressively, probably because he was running against Lynn Woolsey in another Democratic primary. He'd be someone you'd elect if this district had to worry about a serious Republican challenge (good on social issues, bad on anti-business issues).

Yes Tim, you got the endorsement correct. As you noted, it wasn't one issue or one legislative decision that pushed you over the edge (as many of the previous comments here have mentioned), but in total, the entire evaluation of the two candidates allowed you to endorse Mark.

My support for Mark is strong and much in line with what you noted. Legislatively, might Carole be more "effective" (read 'well documented bully tactics', arm twisting, and other questionable methods), possibly, but that is not the person I want representing me as my government legislator.

Mark has a long and proud history of Progressive politics including Transgender Rights, (are you kidding me, who else would have brought this to the floor of our state government), tenants rights legislation, medical marijuana, and many other areas of my life that I believe support those who 'have less'.

And, for all the talk about Mark being everywhere, all the time, at every event throughout the city, and not in Sacramento walking and working the halls of the Capital, well, I'd much rather I have the opportunity to say "hi" and tell him what is on my mind, as do many other San Franciscans, than to never have my local (that is the key word here...) representative never attend any community events year after year and not have a presence in our day to day lives.

As for State Senator Migden's ethics violations which are just now coming to light, I let them speak for themselves.

For many in the gay and progressive "communities", believe it or not, just because you don't hear from them in local political settings or contributing to editorial pieces, we have been waiting for this day, when our current State Senator is opposed and defeated in her run for yet another elected term in another role for all the reasons you noted in your piece.

Thank You!