It was yet another minor media circus today at City Hall with the news of Gavin Newsom’s suspension of Supervisor Ed Jew and his appointment of Deputy Budget Director Carmen Chu to fill in during the suspension. Lost in the ruckus however, a trial balloon floated in this morning’s Chronicle story, that Newsom is considering Assessor Phil Ting for the District 4 seat.

Given Ms. Chu’s apparent lack of political operation and experience (she actually said that she didn’t know much about district issues at this morning’s press conference.) And given the Mayor’s gamesmanship on a previous Board appointment, I am concerned that Newsom may be planning another “triple play”. I have written much about how the Newsom administration has benefited from the Elsbernd for Hall trade. While Tony Hall brought a very conservative politics to City Hall, he was most certainly a voice of independence from the machines of Willie Brown and then Gavin Newsom. While Newsom took a week of bad press for the move, he was able to trade a vocal critic for a calculating and efficient field marshal on the Board. As much as any other Supervisor, Elsbernd now frames the Board’s debate.

Newsom now may have the opportunity to fundamentally change the politics of the Board again. While District 4 has been home to some of the most conservative local politicians, no District 4 Supe has ever been aligned with Newsom. Clearly Gavin will be able to turn this conservative but independent seat over to a close ally.

With the introduction of Ting’s name into the mix, Newsom may have a shot at picking up 2 seats by executing another “triple play”. Interim Supervisor Chu only serves during Ed Jew’s suspension. After today’s meeting, I asked the interim Supervisor if she wanted to keep her seat past the suspension period. She told me that she did not know — that it was too early to say. In other words, Newsom hadn’t told her his plans yet.

If the Board removes Jew and then Newsom decides to appoint Ting (who has had his eyes on the District 4 seat since his run for MUD Board) to the Supe seat, then the Assessor’s job would be available for a “progressive” Supe who is termed out in just a year. If Supervisor Sandoval, who recently endorsed Newsom for Mayor, could be convinced to take the job he sought only two years ago, then Newsom could appoint protégé Asha Safai to the District 11 seat. This would give Safai a huge advantage in the District 11 race, where long-time neighborhood and progressive leader, John Avalos, has the early momentum. It would also give Newsom 5 strong allies (4 originally appointed by Gavin) on the Board and most likely the gravity to pull a sixth and deciding vote on the Board. Downtown’s takeover of the “district” Board would be complete.

Newsom has claimed that his suspension of Jew is not politically motivated. If this is true, Newsom should have a conversation with Ms. Chu, publicly announce his permanent replacement, and go on record that he will not attempt a “triple play” to grab 2 Supervisor seats. He also should jointly announce with that individual that they will not seek election in February. This would allow District 4 voters the opportunity to select their representative without the powerful influence of incumbency and Mayor’s office interference in legislative affairs. This would also put to rest concerns that the Mayor’s moves are politically motivated and thus strengthen the Mayor’s charges of official misconduct.