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Phil Matier: Gascon Faces Stiff Competition In San Francisco DA Race

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – Interim San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon is facing a tough challenge as he fights to keep his job in November.

Gascon has never won an election. He was appointed by former mayor Gavin Newsom in January to serve the remaining term of former District Attorney Kamala Harris, now California's attorney general.

As Gascon attempts to earn a second term, KCBS and Chronicle Insider Phil Matier said he's facing some stiff competition, including opponent Bill Fazio, a former prosecutor and defense attorney in San Francisco.

"This is San Francisco. Nobody's going to give you a free ride. Everybody wants to be the top job," Matier said.

KCBS and Chronicle Insider Phil Matier:

Gascon is still far ahead in the early polls.

However, Matier points out he's starting to face a little heat.

Gascon's challengers now are teaming up to criticize his decision not to investigate the people behind the campaign to get Mayor Ed Lee to run in November.

"Is George Gascon a little too inside baseball and a little too chummy and a little too much inside City Hall for some people? If there's any weakness that's where he's going to get hit," said Matier.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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