Leland Yee Announces Candidacy for 12th Assembly District Seat

By Paul Kozakiewicz

Supervisor Leland Yee confirmed one of the worst kept secrets in the City by declaring his candidacy to represent west side residents in the 12th Assembly District.

Yee will serve out the remainder of the two-year term that he won in last year's December runoff election in District 4. After serving on the SF Board of Supervisors for six years, he says it is time to move on.

"I am a Democrat that believes in term limits," he said.

Yee will now have to run in the Democratic Party's March, 2002 primary. If he wins the primary, he will face candidates from other political parties. The general election will be held in November 2002, but the Democratic Party's candidate is almost always a shoo-in for election because of the district's overwhelmingly Democratic constituency.

Yee says there a number of issues "I care dearly about," but two main issues he would like to fight for in the state Assembly include better funding for health care, especially in light of recent state and federal cutbacks, and better support for children.

"I want to go to Sacramento to advocate for more resources for our children," he said.

No serious contenders for the 12th Assembly District job, which Kevin Shelley is leaving after being termed out, have emerged. One potential rival, Judge Lillian Sing, recently backed off, a move Yee says "definitely" helped his candidacy.

"She saw the handwriting on the wall," Yee said. "It was not going to be an easy race."

Yee's first official function will be a fundraiser to kick-off his campaign drive May 11 at the New Asia Restaurant. He also said a rally will be held during the summer.