HALLINAN WANTS TO BE MAYOR

District Attorney Terence Hallinan confirmed Monday that he will run for
mayor in 2003, making him the first politician to announce his candidacy.

Terence Hallinan

"After eight years as a supervisor and eight years in the D.A.'s Office,
running for mayor is the logical next step," Hallinan said.

"I have a good feel for The City and the people in it," he added.

Not all San Franciscans agree with the Democratic candidate's assessment.

"He'd make a better mayor than a D.A.," said police Lt. Belinda Kerr, who
emphasized that she wasn't speaking on behalf of the department, even
though Hallinan has been criticized in the past by the police for failing
to prosecute vice crimes, such as drugs and prostitution.

But Hallinan was quick to say that many of those problems have been around
before he became district attorney.

"As D.A. I'm blamed for homelessness, drug addiction, you name it," he
said. "I inherited problems that came with this office. I have to stumble
through these things."

When it comes to being mayor, however, Hallinan said has some clear ideas
on how he would fix city problems.

In a jab at City Hall, Hallinan said voters have voiced their desire for
neighborhood rather than citywide governance, evident in the switch to
district elections.

"The City is run now from a top-down approach," he said, adding that he
would focus resources on supporting neighborhood-based projects.

He said the Police Department, District Attorney's Office and other city
agencies would be better served in supporting local efforts by the Board of
Supervisors. Hallinan cited problems in the Sixth and Market area as an
example of a neighborhood concern.

Supervisor Chris Daly, who is responsible for that district, said he also
wants to see local housing and infrastructure improved for his constituents.

"Supervisors like Hallinan," Daly said. "They also like (Board President
Supervisor Tom) Ammiano, who we've worked closely with, and (Supervisor)
Gavin Newsom too."

Hallinan originally confirmed his mayoral aspirations more than a month
ago, when a KCBS reporter offhandedly asked him about it in an unrelated
interview. Hallinan said he's not a great fundraiser so he has to start a
couple of years in advance to raise a million dollars for his campaign.

The radio station held the report until Monday.

"I was salting it away for a slow news day," reporter Doug Sovern said.

For now, Hallinan said his concentration will be on keeping a handle on the
District Attorney's Office.

"I still have a big-time job to hold down," he said.