HispanicBusiness

In an announcement that could help revive California's Brown family dynasty, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom today announced that he is dropping out of the state's race for governor.

The 41-year-old Democrat, who has gained national attention as a champion for gay rights, struggled to gain traction in political polls, lagging far behind the state's most noteworthy Democrat lion, current Attorney General and former two-term California Governor Jerry Brown.

The 71-year-old Brown, whose father served two California gubernatorial terms in the 1960s, has yet to officially announce his candidacy. But he has already begun fund-raising, and thus far is widely considered the only viable Democratic contender.

In a statement, Newsom today said he wanted to focus on raising his family and running a city.

"This is not an easy decision," he said. "But it is one made with the best intentions for my wife, my daughter, the residents of the city and county of San Francisco, and California Democrats."

Meanwhile, the Brown campaign is having some problems of its own. Revelations that one of his top aides surreptitiously recorded phone conversations with a San Francisco Chronicle reporter has prompted calls for the aide's dismissal. Recording telephone calls without notice to all parties is a violation of California law.