Will Logue run against Nielsen in District 4?

Assemblyman Jim Nielsen is kicking off his campaign this week for the newly drawn 4th Senate District, less than a week after Sen. Doug LaMalfa resigned from office.

"Actually, I made my announcement that I would be running for state Senate back in January right after Congressman (Wally) Herger announced his retirement and Doug (LaMalfa) announced he would be seeking Wally's congressional seat," Nielsen said.

So far Nielsen, R-Gerber, is the only person who has officially announced his intentions to run for the Senate seat. There have been rumblings about whether Assemblyman Dan Logue would throw his hat into the ring.

"I have no idea whether or not Mr. Logue plans on running," Nielsen said. "I have been told by some that he will and others that he won't. I guess we'll just have to wait and see."

Logue, R-Loma Rica, is on November's general election ballot running to represent the newly drawn 3rd Assembly District, as is Corning Democrat Charles Rouse.

He has indicated he might run for lieutenant governor after that.

The agenda for the Butte Republican Party's Sept. 13 meeting states there will be an "endorsement hearing in addition to our regular monthly business," and reads the races to be considered for endorsement are "Senate District 4: Dan Logue or Jim Nielsen."

Steve Thompson, chairman of the Butte Republican Party, confirmed he placed the item on the agenda.

"I can't say whether or not Dan (Logue) in running for Senate, but it needed to be on the agenda for discussion," he stated.

LaMalfa, R-Richvale, said he has not heard anything official, "just rumors."

"Dan Logue told me directly he would not be running for Senate, that he would be running for his third term on the Assembly and then look at running statewide for lieutenant governor," LaMalfa said. "Either way, it's not news that I am supporting Jim Nielsen, as I said when he announced he would be running for Senate in January."

Logue, nor his chief of staff, Cliff Wagner, could be reached for comment. Several messages were left seeking comment.

According to Nielsen's campaign consultant David Gilliard, if Logue runs for the Senate and is elected to both seats, he would most likely choose not to be sworn into the Assembly seat in December.

"That would leave a vacancy on the Assembly, which would require a special election in the 4th District," Gilliard said.

Beverly Ross, Tehama County registrar of voters, said a special election for the Assembly seat would cost the county more than $100,000.

LaMalfa will be running for Congress against Democrat Jim Reed, a Fall River Mills attorney, on November's ballot. He said he made the resignation decision to spare taxpayers in his district the $2 million to $4 million for a special election.