Ex-Rep. Burton Weighs a Run for Agnos’ Seat

Former Democratic Rep. John L. Burton said Friday that he is “seriously considering” attempting a political comeback by seeking an Assembly seat to be vacated because of Assemblyman Art Agnos’ election as mayor of San Francisco.

Burton said in an interview that he expects to announce his decision around the first of the year.

Assembly Speaker Willie Brown (D-San Francisco) said Thursday that he hopes Burton, a long-time political ally and a former assemblyman, will run to replace Agnos. “If he runs, I’ll be enthusiastically supporting him,” Brown said.

Tired of Politics

Burton, 54, served in the Assembly from 1965 to 1974 when he was elected to Congress. He quit in 1982, saying he was tired of politics and it was not fun anymore.

Now a San Francisco lawyer and lobbyist, Burton said, “I’ve changed my mind. That was five years ago. I like Sacramento. I like the state Legislature. What I do best is legislate.”

After he retired from Congress, Burton admitted that he had a cocaine problem and underwent treatment at a rehabilitation hospital.

He said Friday he has not used drugs or alcoholic beverages for the last five years. “I am clean now,” he said. “I don’t consider that to be a problem. I have been very lucky.”

Several members of the San Francisco gay community are also talking about running for the Agnos seat. But Brown called Burton “an early pioneer” in the gay rights movement and added, “His dedication to that issue is equal to that of any person who is gay and who is coming aboard the political process just for that purpose.”

A leading spokesman for gay causes in the Legislature, Agnos declared himself neutral in the race soon after he was elected mayor.

‘Magical’ Name

Burton, brother of the late Rep. Phillip Burton (D-San Francisco), is a “magical” name among senior citizens, black and gays, according to Brown.

The Assembly makeup is 44-36 Democrat over the GOP and is highly unlikely to change because of Agnos’ election as San Francisco mayor. Voter registration in the district is 67% Democratic to 18% Republican. The district includes North Beach, Chinatown, Bayview-Hunter’s Point, Bernal Heights, Potrero Hill, and the Mission and Castro districts.

Agnos will vacate his seat when he is sworn in Jan. 8 as mayor. Gov. George Deukmejian must call a special election to replace him.