Achtenberg out

Six months and 11 position papers later, the Roberta Achtenberg for Mayor campaign faced the music -- election results -- at the Paradise Lounge nightclub Tuesday night.

A crowd of more than 200 staffers and supporters danced to live music at the South of Market nightclub and watched updated election returns on several televisions stationed in corners of the club on 1501 Folsom Street. The grim numbers flashed on the screens, telling the real story. Her chance to become the first gay mayor of San Francisco or make the Dec. 12 runoff election faded into the night.

As the election results came in, the crowd stayed upbeat, dancing until Achtenberg arrived.

"If it comes down to a Brown-Jordan runoff it's an easy choice," said David Schnur, an Achtenberg supporter, who said he would back Brown if Achtenberg lost.

"But that's not gonna happen," said his more hopeful friend Chris Daley, as the two danced to the sounds of Soul Divine, the rock music band playing on stage.

At 1 a.m., Achtenberg strode through the packed dance floor and walked on stage to the beat of music and thunderous applause. But instead of focusing on her loss at the polls, she pledged her support for Brown in his fight to defeat Mayor Jordan.

"San Franciscans cast their ballots for change when they voted for me and Willie Brown," she told her audience, who jeered and muttered in disappointment. "My dear friends, realism is important. Join me in changing this city. I want to congratulate Mr. Brown and help him in the weeks ahead as we try to bring progressive principles back to San Francisco. What we have before us is a huge undertaking."

"Please hold onto the idealism that fueled this campaign," said Achtenberg, holding firmly onto the podium with both hands as she winked at the crowd. "There will be another time and place for it. We will be together again. I'm not talking about this election either."

When Achtenberg conceded the race, more than 50 percent of the precincts had reported and the results were showing Jordan and Brown locked in a tight battle with Achtenberg trailing by about 7 percent.

After endorsing Brown, the former Clinton administration Housing and Urban Development official thanked the people at the gathering for their struggle, sacrifice and support. She also hinted that her political dealings in San Francisco are not over, but would not answer reporters' questions.

After she finished speaking, Achtenberg held her partner Mary Morgan's hand and raised it in the air above their 9-year-old son Benjamin.

[ Golden Gater Online November 9, 1995 ]

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