Supporters launch Mark Leno to take down Republicans

from the SanFranciscoSentinel.com, published on April 5, 2006
By Aldrich M. Tan, Photos by Luke Thomas

Bright blue spotlights were on Assemblymember Mark Leno Tuesday evening at the Ruby Skye Nightclub. Over a hundred supporters gathered at the Mason Street club to help Leno launch and fundraise for his re-election campaign.

"I never had to deal with Republicans in San Francisco," Leno said. "I think we're with friends so we can just let loose tonight."

Leno said this would be his final term if he is re-elected since assemblymembers can only be re-elected for a maximum of three terms.

"I feel so lucky and so privileged to do my job," he said. "You all give me the life and energy to do this task and I thank you all for being here."

Many public officials attended the event to express their support for Leno, including District Attorney Kamala Harris, City Attorney Dennis Herrera, Assessor-Recorder Phil Ting, Treasurer Jose Cisneros, Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, Supervisor Bevan Dufty, Supervisor Sean Elsbernd, and City commissioners.

"Leno is one of the most hardworking members of the legislature," Harris she said.

"He carefully studies, thinks, and checks in with people before he takes action."

Harris added she applauds Leno's work in supporting the rights of women, children and immigrants, including recent legislation that makes human trafficking a criminal act.

"We need to let to let Leno know that San Francisco supports him 100 percent as he takes his lonely drive back up to Sacramento," she said.

Leno said he will also continue to advocate renewable energy resources, affordable housing, universal access to healthcare, full funding for public education, and civil rights.

Jane Morrison, former chair of the county's Democratic Party Central Committee lauds Leno for his legislation acknowledging the rights of local crab fishermen.

"He looks at local sustainable environmental issues as much as he does with civil rights issues," she said.

One of the major civil rights issues that Leno said he feels strongly about is marriage equality. Last year Leno authored AB 849, which would have allowed same-sex couples to marry in California under the state constitution.

"I'm going to work on helping elect a new governor that will finally sign that bill," he said.

Leno's continuous fight for civil rights means much for life partners Louis, 81, and Wally, 79, who have been together for over 55 years.

"Leno works hard for the rights of the people," Wally said.

As the techno version of Heather Small's "Proud" plays in the background later in the evening, Leno himself got to let loose with a martini.

As he sipped the clear liquor and savored the moment, Leno recalled mentor Robert Hertzberg, former speaker of the assembly, telling him that assemblymembers have only 72 months to make their impact.

"The clock is ticking," Leno said, "and I'm going to get as much work done as I can."