Capitol Alert: Bonnie Lowenthal drops Senate bid to seek third Assembly term

Capitol Alert

The latest on California politics and government

November 7, 2011

Bonnie Lowenthal drops Senate bid to seek third Assembly term

Assemblywoman Bonnie Lowenthal, D-Long Beach, has abandoned plans to run for the state Senate, announcing her intention to run for a third and final term in the state Assembly.

The decision allows Lowenthal to avoid an election battle with fellow Assembly Democrat Ricardo Lara, a first-term member from Bell Gardens, in the newly drawn 33rd Senate District.

Lara officially threw his hat in the ring last month, shaking up Lowenthal's plan to run for the seat currently held by her ex-husband, Democratic Sen. Alan Lowenthal, who is termed out and running for Congress. Both Lara and Bonnie Lowenthal currently represent communities covered by the new Southern California Senate district, which stretches inland from the port of Long Beach to the city of Vernon.

Lowenthal announced Friday that she would instead run for the 70th Assembly District seat, telling the Long Beach Press Telegram in a statement that she has "decided I can better serve my constituents and the people of California in the State Assembly."

Her campaign spokesman, Mike Shimpock, confirmed her decision in an email to The Bee.

Lara issued a statement Friday calling Lowenthal "a great friend and a strong advocate for our communities in the California State Assembly."

"I look forward to continuing to work with her to improve the quality of life for our constituents and will seek her counsel and support as I continue my bid to represent the newly created 33rd Senate District," he said.

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