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Chiu Passes On San Francisco D.A. Job

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS/BCN)- San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom said he expected to make a decision Thursday on who will step in as interim district attorney to replace Kamala Harris - but it won't be Board of Supervisors president David Chiu.

Chiu announced Thursday afternoon that he withdrew his name from consideration for the post, saying he could better serve San Francisco residents at City Hall.

KCBS Speaks To David Chiu:

"We have so many challenges facing the city right now, from an enormous budget deficit to growing pension expenses, to the need to protect basic city services to our most vulnerable residents, and I think I can best serve the city in dealing with these challenges, which can only be dealt with from City Hall," said Chiu.

KCBS' Barbara Taylor Reports:

Harris was sworn in as the state's attorney general on Monday, and Newsom said today that he is still considering a number of candidates to fill her spot.

"It's a big decision," he told reporters at City Hall this morning before swearing in a handful of city commissioners.

"There are a lot of people who don't want it who I think would be great, and a lot of people who want it who are good, and there are a few people who are still outstanding that I've got calls in," Newsom said.

"The lobbying is getting absurd," he said. "Everyone's trying to persuade me," but he added that he might not necessarily announce his choice today.

Newsom is expected to be sworn in as the state's new lieutenant governor sometime before Monday.

(© 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Bay City News contributed to this report.)

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