Would Sacramento mayor step down for a Newsom appointment? It depends on the job
Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg is in the running for a California Courts of Appeal judgeship, but he likely would not step down as mayor to take it, according to two sources who are knowledgeable about the mayor’s thinking.
Steinberg would likely be interested in a seat on the Supreme Court of California, the two sources said, but there is not currently a vacancy. The sources spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share his plans.
The State Bar of California emailed questionnaires to several members last week to vet Steinberg as a judicial nominee. The email, first reported by Politico and also obtained by The Bee, said Newsom is considering Steinberg for Third District Court of Appeals in Sacramento.
Newsom on Friday announced he nominated Judge Shama Hakim Mesiwala of Yolo County for a seat on the Third District Court of Appeals. If Mesiwala is confirmed, there will still be two vacant seats on the court.
While Steinberg would not likely want that seat, he filled out an application. That could be because he wants to be considered if he decides not to run for a third term as mayor, or wants the application to be re-entered for eventual state Supreme Court consideration.
“I have two years left in my current term as mayor and I am fully focused on the challenges and opportunities we face in the city of Sacramento,” Steinberg said in a statement Tuesday. “I’ve submitted an application for the judiciary because I’m open to all possibilities for my long-term future.”
What’s next for Steinberg?
Steinberg, an attorney, was elected mayor in 2016 after having already served in one of California’s most powerful political offices. He was the president of the state Senate during the Great Recession.
He was among the final candidates Newsom considered appointing as California attorney general in 2020 after Xavier Becerra joined the Biden administration. The governor picked Rob Bonta instead.
Later that year, Steinberg told The Sacramento Bee and other outlets that he did not plan to seek a third term as mayor in 2024. It’s widely rumored that he has not ruled it out.
Steinberg would be the front-runner if he decides to run for a third term. He coasted to re-election in 2020 without a serious challenger.
If he doesn’t run for a third term, or is appointed to the state Supreme Court, however, there several serious mayoral candidates likely would step forward.
“This has probably accelerated peoples’ planning process,” said political consultant Andrew Acosta regarding the news of the questionnaire, which has been making the rounds in political circles this week.
It’s rumored that former state Sen. Richard Pan, former Assemblyman Roger Dickinson and Assemblyman Kevin McCarty, all Democrats, might run. City Councilman Eric Guerra, Councilman Rick Jennings and Sacramento County Supervisor Patrick Kennedy may also be interested, sources say. Former councilman Steve Hansen in 2020 has filed paperwork to raise money for a run.
Would Sacramento hold another election?
If Newsom nominates Steinberg to the state Supreme Court prior to the first week of March, there would be a special election for mayor, according to city code.
If the appointment comes after that deadline, the council would vote to appoint a council member as mayor to finish out the term. That happened in 1999 when Mayor Joe Serna died while in office and the council appointed Jimmie Yee.
Three new council members were sworn in to office earlier this month. One member now counts a “solid” liberal bloc of members, including Steinberg, which could reinvigorate him in his role as mayor.
“Mayor, all the progressive things that you’ve been wanting to do, this is your council right here, mayor,” Councilwoman Mai Vang said Dec. 13 after three new members were sworn in, while the audience applauded. “I’m saying right now. So, you want to get things done, you got the council to do it right now ... I’m excited!”
“I’m excited too,” Steinberg replied. “Love it!”
This story was originally published December 28, 2022 at 4:06 PM.
