Pedro Nava Jumps Into Attorney General Race to Replace Jerry Brown

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The politics surrounding the high-stakes race to replace California Attorney General Jerry Brown took a new twist on Thursday after state assemblyman and former prosecutor Pedro Nava jumped into the campaign, a move that further complicates what is expected to be a competitve and expensive 2010 election.
Nava, D-Santa Barbara, joins a growing list of challengers, including Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico, D-Newark.

The other Democratic hopefuls for the post are San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris, Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo, Assemblyman Ted Lieu, D-Torrance, and former state lawmaker Joseph Canciamilla of Pittsburg.

Two Republicans are considering a bid: 2006 attorney general candidate Chuck Poochigian and state Sen. Tom Harman of Huntington Beach.

But the race could look entirely different in the coming months. Brown, a charismatic and dynamic veteran of state politics, who became known nationwide as "Gov. Moonbeam" for his progressive policies, is mulling an attempt to return to the governor's office by jumping into the 2010 gubernatorial race to replace termed-out Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. But Brown -- who served as the mayor of Oakland from 1998-2006 -- may instead opt to run for re-election to his current post, the Sacramento Bee reports
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The Democratic hopefuls would likely step out of the race if Brown seeks re-election.

Nava, D-Santa Barbara, is a former deputy district attorney in Fresno, Calif. While in that position, he headed a narcotic prosecution and asset-seizure program, served on the Rape Crisis Center board of directors and was the first non-peace officer named "Peace Officer of the Year" by the Latino Peace Officers Association.

Torrico's political star has risen quickly. A former union attorney, Torrico made his initial foray into politics in 2001, as an underdog Democrat seeking a seat on the Republican-dominated City Council in Newark, a suburb of the San Francisco Bay Area. He got in by 22 votes. Three years later, he ran for state Assembly and won. Torrico, whose father is from Bolivia and mother is Japanese, will be termed out of the position in 2004.

Assemblymember Pedro Nava  (D-Santa Barbara)

Elected to the 35th Assembly District in November 2004 and represents portions of Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.  Serves as chair of the Assembly Transportation Committee.  Also serves on other Assembly committees, including Appropriations; Environmental Safety & Toxic Materials; and, Water, Parks & Wildlife. 

Assemblymember Pedro Nava's website