Pedro Nava (D)
Jerry Brown (D)
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-State Assemblyman Pedro Nava has entered the 2010 race for California attorney general, vowing to protect the environment and increase public safety if he is elected.
The 61-year-old Santa Barbara Democrat and former prosecutor, who will be bared from seeking reelection to his Assembly seat in 2010, said in a statement that he is uniquely qualified to serve as the state's next chief legal officer.
"As a former prosecutor and an assemblymember I have long fought for the safety of all Californians," Nava said. "As California's next attorney general, I will continue to support peace officers and firefighters, and protect our precious environment so that California will be a safe and secure place to raise our families."
Nava, like other Democrats interested in the post, have said they would not run if Attorney General Jerry Brown seeks reelection. Brown is widely believed to be running in 2010 to replace termed-out Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Other Democrats running for state attorney general include state Assemblyman Ted Lieu of Torrance, Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico of Newark, Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo, San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris and Chris Kelly, chief privacy officer for the Web site Facebook.
Republicans, Sen. Tom Harman of Huntington Beach and 2006 attorney general candidate and former state lawmaker Chuck Poochigian are considering runs for the GOP nomination.
Nava currently serves as chairman of the Assembly Banking & Finance Committee. His wife, Susan Jordan, is seeking his Assembly seat.
Nava raised nearly $350,000 in 2008 for his general campaign account, funds that can be switched over to be used to run for attorney general. Nava has just shy of $200,000 cash on hand, a recent campaign finance report indicates.
From Legal Newsline: Reach staff reporter Chris Rizo at chrisrizo@legalnewsline.com.