Gavin Newsom in the race, LAT says *

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom is telling supporters that he will announce Friday he is running for lieutenant governor, Capitol Weekly editor Anthony York reports on the L.A. Times website. "He has called elected officials and potential donors to inform them he is in the race," the item says. Newsom represents a significant obstacle to Councilwoman Janice Hahn's plans, which of course explains those hits on him by her campaign consultants.

* Friday morning update: The San Francisco Chronicle concurs that Newsom is running and quotes USF professor saying, "He's instantly the front-runner in the Democratic primary. The Hahn name has long been a gold mine in Los Angeles politics ... but he swamps her in name recognition statewide."

Re-Speaker Perez: Speaker John Perez will throw a second, ceremonial swearing-in on Friday at the Japanese National American Museum, 11 days after the real one. Attendance will be taken.