Greens win San Francisco mayoral election 2003

the San Francisco mayoral election of 2003 is often seen as something of a high water mark for the Greens, coming close but failing to win the Mayorship of a major American city (the one they are the most popular in) what if despite big name national Democrats coming to stump for Gavin Newsom he was edged out by Matt Gonzalez in the Run off, what would happen? would this change Greens' chances else where or just be a one off? would Gonzalez start gay marriages like Newsom did? would Gonzalez run for a second term? could he get even higher offices or is he stuck at mayor level?
 
I think this could begin the rise of the Greens. I think they would begin gay marriage. They may also take other positions, including requiring the city to go greener sooner. I can see Gonzales running for a second term...and if he fails, perhaps he can compete for President.
 
I think this could begin the rise of the Greens. I think they would begin gay marriage. They may also take other positions, including requiring the city to go greener sooner. I can see Gonzales running for a second term...and if he fails, perhaps he can compete for President.

He did run as Nader's VP candidate in 2008 IOTL, so their's that.
 
He did run as Nader's VP candidate in 2008 IOTL, so their's that.

This time around though, he'd have a shot at the Green presidential nomination that year, rather than the number two spot on the ticket, if he even still wanted to be involved with that. Short term, there are potentially significant repurcussions. First of all, this will be the first time the Green Party (in the United States) will actually hold a political office of real consequence. Expect the mayor to attract much attention and fanfare, both within and beyond California. Secondly, how will he govern? That is important to any discussion of how later events unfold.
 

FDW

Banned
Well, Gonzales wouldn't have been as much of an ass as Newsom was towards much of the city's left, he also wouldn't be beholden to the interests of Willie Brown and Rose Pak like Newsom (And Ed Lee) were. You'd probably see a more serious effort at promoting public public transportation, so the Central subway would still go forward, as would the two BRT corridors, you might also see a congestion charge and bike sharing system implemented too. There's also the prospect of getting rid of Care not Cashnad maybe preventing The Niners from moving to Santa Rosa, which would improve the prospects of a 2016 olympic big, should Gonzales go forward with it.
 
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