New Gov-elect Brown makes first appearance, saying Oakland will remain his permanent home

Jerry Brown made his first public appearance as California’s new governor-elect Wednesday morning, telling a roomful of reporters at a press conference in Oakland that he has no plans to move permanently to Sacramento. Brown went on to address issues ranging from government transparency to state worker pensions.

Saying that he would find a place to stay in Sacramento, Brown said he would keep his Oakland hills home, where he currently lives with his wife Anne Gust, former general council for The Gap.

The Sacramento Bee reports that Brown told them in September that he would move to the capital should he win the governorship.

“Very rarely do governors sell the home they live in,” said Brown campaign spokesperson Sterling Clifford. “It would show real lack of foresight” to move to Sacramento permanently, Clifford said. He described the couple’s residence as a kind of “dream home scenario,” adding, “Life will go on beyond his governorship.”

Brown coasted to victory on Tuesday, winning by a margin of over 12 points over former eBay CEO Meg Whitman, who used millions of dollars from her personal fortune on her campaign. Alameda County voters cast 72.8 percent of their votes for Brown.

Wearing a boxy black suit, Brown threw in an occasional sweep of the arm as he described the bitter campaign season, characterized by negative ads and rancorous debates.

Saying the tone of the campaign was a sign of the times, Brown said, “This is politics today: It’s about bringing out the little flaws and peccadilloes and things that you did.”

Brown gave the conference from the offices of Sterling Clifford, at a warehouse space near Third and Harrison Streets, near Oakland’s Jack London Square. While mayor of Oakland, Brown lived in a warehouse residence located less than two miles away on Telegraph Avenue.

Standing in front of a California State flag, Brown talked at length about the state budget, his relationship with unions, and education.

While expressing appreciation for union support, Brown said, “I think what’s difficult is the fact that there’s so many powerful voices.”

Brown also made remarks on the close race between Barbara Boxer and Carly Fiorina. “When you’re in power, and things aren’t going so well, you pay the price,” Brown said. Noting that politics are “ephemeral,” he added that he would try to avoid the ups and downs that other popular leaders have faced during the last two years.

After the conference, Gust talked with reporters about her role as the state’s first lady. She said she would take an unpaid advising role wherever she was most needed when her husband takes office.

“It’s very inspiring that way, when you wake up every day and know you’re really dealing with important issues,” Gust said.

Gust also added that she hopes that Maria Shriver would stay involved in some of the work she has done as California’s current first lady. In particular, Gust said the Women’s Conference must continue. “Please Maria, stay involved,” Gust said into nearby TV cameras.

Check out all of our Oakland elections coverage on our Campaign 2010 page.

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