Capitol Alert

The field of contenders for the 28th Senate District special continues to shrink, with another possible contender opting to endorse Democratic candidate Ted Lieu instead of launching a bid of his own.

Assemblyman Warren Furutani, D-Gardena, , had been considering running for the seat vacated by the death of Sen. Jenny Oropeza, D-Long Beach. But he announced this weekend that he will not run in upcoming special election, saying recent news of a projected $25.4 billion budget deficit was a "harsh reminder of the challenges and problems awaiting my attention in Sacramento."

"During my recent re-election campaign, I pledged to the constituents of the 55th Assembly District that if re-elected I would 'serve them to the best of my ability.' I plan and will enthusiastically honor that pledge and thank the residents of the 55th Assembly District for allowing me to represent them once again," Furutani said in a statement provided by the Lieu campaign.

Lieu, the termed-out representative for the 53rd Assembly District, is the only Democrat to formally announce a bid for the heavily Democratic district. Another politician eyeing the seat, Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn, said last week that she wouldn't run.

Furutani, like Hahn, endorsed Lieu, saying the Torrance Democrat would do an "excellent job of representing our area in the State Senate."

The Republican who lost to the late Oropeza on the Nov. 2 ballot has reportedly decided not to run in the special election, which will be called once members are sworn in Dec. 6. But Lieu could still face a same-party challenge in the heavily Democratic district

Hollywood producer Brian Quintana. Quintana, who won more than 300,000 votes in his June primary challenge to Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer, said in an e-mailed statement that his "base, name ID and appeal to crossover voters could make him a formidable candidate."

"Several immediate family members lost their jobs in the aerospace industry so I was personally affected. I have spent the last fifteen years working in the entertainment industry and for various sports franchises. I will only run if I can continue to attract those high paying jobs to the South Bay region," said Quintana, who says he spent much of his childhood in the South Bay.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger hosts his third Governors' Global Climate Summit at UC Davis today.

The conference brings together public officials, academics and leaders from the business and nonprofit sector for "compelling climate conversations" and development of partnerships and projects aimed at curbing the effects of climate change.

Today's line-up in the two-day conference includes remarks from California Environmental Protection Agency Secretary Linda Adams, actor Harrison Ford and former U.S. Secretary George Shultz, an ally of Schwarzenegger's on the successful campaign to defeat Proposition 23.

Schwarzenegger is also set to give an "environmental address" during a 10:30 a.m. session at the Mondavi Center.

It's no secret that Schwarzenegger considers his environmental record a major aspect of his gubernatorial legacy, so expect to hear lots of talk about Assembly Bill 32 and other environmental protections signed under his watch.

The governor's co-hosts include Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle, Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire and Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski. British Prime Minister David Cameron is scheduled to address the conference via satellite.

See more on the schedule and panelists here.