Canciamilla consider attorney general run

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Jul 7, 2008 | by Lisa Vorderbrueggen

Former state Assemblyman and one-time Contra Costa Supervisor Joe Canciamilla will explore a possible statewide run for attorney general in 2010.

Canciamilla, a Pittsburg resident who dropped out of the state Senate Democratic primary in June, has formed an attorney general exploratory committee and will make use of the roughly $400,000 left in his aborted Senate campaign.

"It's one of the few down-ticket races, other than governor, that actually has some authority," Canciamilla said. "Most of the other statewide seats have very little ability to do anything or they are used only as political stepping stones for other offices."

Canciamilla's prospects depend heavily on a decision by the state's current one-term Attorney General Jerry Brown, who is widely believed to be considering a run for governor in 2010. Under term limits, Brown could alternatively seek a second, four-year term as attorney general.

"I'm not crazy," Canciamilla said. "I won't run against Jerry. But I can't afford to wait until Jerry makes a decision. I have to be ready to move."

Canciamilla, a lawyer and licensed funeral home director with ownership in a Pittsburg funeral home, served six years in the Assembly until he termed out in 2006.

He raised $600,000 for his Senate bid but the moderate Democrat dropped out when he couldn't swing enough party support to win the primary against Mark DeSaulnier, an Assemblyman from Concord. DeSaulnier won the June primary in the Senate race and is expected to easily win the seat in the heavily Democratic district in November against Republican challenger Christian Amsberry of Walnut Creek.

Reach Lisa Vorderbrueggen at 925-945-4773, lvorderbrueggen@bayareanewsgroup.com or www.ibabuzz.com/ insidepolitics.