Sam Spade's San Francisco

John Burton is the retiring San Francisco Bay Area Steamroller. Willie Brown used to be the SF Bay Area Steamroller. Before him it was Jesse Unruh.

Jerry Brown wanted to be Steamroller, but it didn't work out for him.

Today there is a void. Nobody has clearly emerged as the Steamroller. Gavin Newsom stumbled on a bed with a friend's wife in it. That did him in.

Ron Dellums over in Oakland has been one of the biggest, baddest Steamrollers on Capitol Hill for decades. At this point in his career I don't think he wants the job - which is a good thing for ...

Mark Leno is emerging as the potential Steamroller. He's had two very successful and progressive terms in the state assembly and before that he enjoyed an equally successful and productive period as a San Francisco Supervisor. As Assemblyman Mark Leno he became the champion and hero of the gay and lesbian civil rights movement. At least, that is the viewpoint of this particular San Francisco Queer. Mark is a Democrat who has been faithfully paying his dues. He's been developing a lot of BigDem friends.

So, have there been any signs that Mark might be headed for Steamrollership?

Well ...

Twice in one week Mark Leno has steamrolled right over the competition. Hmmmm.

Last week Mark Leno won the second major endorsement of his campaign to win the Democratic Party nomination for the California State Senate.

The San Francisco Young Democrats gave Mark more than 60 percent of their votes, the threshold required to win endorsement. Earlier in the week the Alice B Toklas Democratic Club also gave Leno its endorsement for the senate seat currently held by Carole Migden.

Leno, who is being termed-out of his state assembly seat, is attempting to move up to the senate seat held by Migden. The 3rd senate district covers Marin county and major parts of San Francisco and Sonoma Counties.

I have followed Mark Leno's career since, as a local small business owner, he decided to run for Board of Supervisors. He has also distinguished himself as being a very competent and highly successful legislator who has represented the interests of all San Franciscans at the state capitol.

It is my clear and distinct honor to support Mark Leno for State Senate. Mark Leno's campaign web site may be found here: www.markleno.com

And I hope he gets his Steamrollership.