San Francisco mayor seeks treatment for alcohol use

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, who gained national attention by championing same-sex marriage, said on Monday he would seek treatment for alcohol use, an announcement that follows his admission of an affair with his campaign manager's wife.

"Upon reflection with friends and family this weekend, I have come to the conclusion that I will be a better person without alcohol in my life," he said in a statement. "I take full responsibility for my personal mistakes and my problems with alcohol are not an excuse for my personal lapses in judgment."

A spokesman said Newsom informed his staff about the issue earlier on Monday and told them he would not have to leave office temporarily as he sought treatment in San Francisco.

Sworn into office in 2004, Newsom, 39, was seen as a rising star in the Democratic Party. Soon after taking office, he defied a California law that defined marriage as a union between and a man and a woman, until a court ordered the city to stop allowing homosexuals to marry.

Last week the divorced mayor admitted to a romantic involvement with the wife of his campaign manager, who had just quit the position.

Earlier on Monday Newsom said he was focusing on his work, and he also participated in a ceremony welcoming the massive Queen Mary 2 cruise liner to San Francisco.