Chesbro announces for Assembly seat

Former State Sen. Wes Chesbro announced Friday he will run for the state Assembly seat now held by fellow Democrat Patty Berg, a move made possible by Tuesday's defeat of a statewide proposition to modify legislative term limits.

Three-term incumbent Berg isn't able to run for re-election under a state law that limits service to six years in the Assembly, and eight years in the Senate. Berg's Assembly fate was sealed when voters Tuesday rejected Proposition 93, which would have allowed Berg and other lawmakers to serve a total of 12 years in either the Assembly or Senate.

Berg on Friday in Eureka joined Chesbro, a longtime Humboldt County political figure, to endorse his bid.

Citing their relationship when Chesbro served in the Senate, Berg said he's familiar with the issues in the First Assembly District.

"He will do an excellent job," said Berg.

Berg is reportedly considering whether to launch a campaign in two years for state insurance commissioner.

For Chesbro, Berg's departure from the Assembly is a new lease on his political life.

"I spent eight years in the Senate working to make sure the North Coast is not short-changed because we are out-fought by big city legislators," said Chesbro.

Chesbro is a former Humboldt County supervisor who served as an appointee on the state Recycling Board before winning a 1998 state Senate race. After term limits forced him out in 2006, Chesbro returned to the Recycling Board.

"I have never stopped caring or working for local best interests," said Chesbro.

Chesbro distributed a long list of endorsements, including Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena; state Sen. Pat Wiggins and Assemblywoman Noreen Evans, both D-Santa Rosa; Mendocino County supervisors David Colfax and Kendall Smith and Sonoma County Supervisor Mike Reilly.You can reach Staff Writer Mike Geniella at 462-64760 or mgeniella@pressdemocrat.com.