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Willie Brown, the savvy career politician who led this liberal city through the carnival dot-com boom and bust, will leave office later this year after completing the second of two colorful terms as "Da Mayor."
Yet many believe San Francisco's real thrill ride lies just ahead: electing a mayoral successor in a town infamous for its circus-style political theater. Already some two dozen hopefuls aim to replace Brown in the November contest, and their diverse resumes reflect the city's quirky, left-leaning political culture.
There's Gavin Newsom, 35-year-old "boy wonder," glib millionaire restaurateur and popular county supervisor who's being touted as a "West Coast Kennedy." Along with his wife, Kimberly Guilfoyle -- a successful prosecutor and former Victoria's Secret underwear model - - Newsom has amassed an army of upscale contributors and volunteers who believe the young couple can conjure a new era of Camelot in a city that thrives on social pomp and circumstance.
There's also Tom Ammiano, a gay former stand-up comedian and teacher who in 1999 forced a runoff against Brown as a last-minute write-in candidate.
There's trial lawyer Angela Alioto, daughter of former Mayor Joseph Alioto. She recently reported the theft from her law office of several computers with private polling data.
There's city Treasurer Susan Leal, who is gay.
Tony Ribera, onetime police chief and the only registered Republican, also joins the lot. So does long-shot Tahan Thomas- Daniels, a legally blind 25-year-old volunteer who says he would focus on education.
The contest remains wide open, thanks to the absence of outspoken state Senate President John Burton, a power who last year decided not to make a run at replacing Brown, a longtime friend and ally.
Election experts say the contest could hinge not only on how to bolster San Francisco's staggering economy following the high-tech bust, but on what the candidates have to say about another emotional issue: the city's homeless people.
Many residents of the compact city feel besieged by aggressive panhandlers and sunburned men who congregate not only downtown but in suburban neighborhoods from Bernal Heights to the westernmost Sunset district. Some believe elected officials have all but given up on finding a solution.
Newsom appeared to gain an early advantage with voters by pushing a controversial...