Guardian Unlimited:

Democrat Gavin Newsom decisively beat a Green Party candidate Tuesday to win San Francisco's mayoral election, a race that had been viewed as a referendum on the Democrats' strength in California and a battle for the liberal city's soul.

With all precincts reporting, Newsom, a wealthy restaurateur who was backed by most of the city's political establishment, received 118,651 votes, or 53 percent, to 107,030 votes, or 47 percent, for the Greens' Matt Gonzalez.

At 36, Newsom becomes the youngest mayor of San Francisco in more than a century. He will succeed Democrat Willie Brown, his political mentor, next month.

``This feels pretty good, doesn't it?'' Newsom said in his victory speech at the Fillmore auditorium.

``There's a reason why we are the shining light for the rest of the state and the nation, and it's the extraordinary diversity of San Francisco,'' said the mayor-elect.

If you go to GavinNewsom.com, this is the message you will receive now that Gavin has won:

Nearly a year ago, we took the first step on this journey. We vowed we would run a different kind of campaign. A positive and diverse campaign. A people's campaign. A campaign about real change.

And we did it! You did it!

We were able to bring together every community in San Francisco and unite this city around real ideas. his campaign was built around people reaching out to every voter in every neighborhood. Thank you to everyone for all of your hard work in making this victory possible.

I want to thank Matt Gonzalez and his supporters for their show of faith in this city. For their love of San Francisco. For their compassion and commitment to change.

Matt ran a great campaign. They made us better. With their challenge, they made our ideas stronger, our resolve deeper, our commitment to change stronger.

I want to be a mayor for every San Franciscan.

Together we can change this city.

Thank you!

Same Story Other Takes:

SF Gate: "Newsom: The Time For Change Is Here'"

KPIX: "Gavin Newsom New San Francisco Mayor"

LA Times: "New Mayor Must Govern a City of Conflicting Ideals"

USA TODAY: "Dem Newsom Topples Green Candidate in S.F. Mayoral Race"