Monday, January 6, 2014

Former Gavin Newsom spokesman joins N.Y. Mayor Bill de Blasio’s staff

Posted By on Mon, Jan 6, 2014 at 2:20 PM

click to enlarge Peter Ragone speaks at a press conference during which New York Mayor Bill de Blasio announced new appointments to his staff.
  • Peter Ragone speaks at a press conference during which New York Mayor Bill de Blasio announced new appointments to his staff.
A  spokesman who worked for former-Mayor Gavin Newsom is one of the new appointments to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s staff, the mayor announced Monday.

Peter Ragone, who  served as a chief media spokesman for Newsom, was named as the senior adviser for policy, according to de Blasio.

“I have  relied on Peter Ragone for his council for many years," de Blasio said during a press conference announcing the new appointments.”I have found him to be an extraordinarily insightful and strategic thinker, and I knew that I wanted him to come be a part of this team and to come back to his native land and help us as we built this administration."

De Blasio, who last week became the first Democratic mayor of New York City in 20 years, has pledged to chart a progressive course for the city.

In introducing Ragone during the press conference, de Blasio made mention of Newsom’s decision to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples at San Francisco City Hall in 2004, for which he received great backlash at the time.

“The City of San Francisco just went and did it in an incredibly noble and, literally, decisive moment — a seismic moment for this country,” de Blasio said, noting how he received the background about the lead-up to the event from Ragone.

Note: Skip to about minute 58 for the Peter Ragone section of the video.


About The Author

Mike Billings

Mike Billings

Bio:
Mike Billings is the editor in chief of The S.F. Examiner.
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Tuesday, Dec 30, 2014

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