Logue entering state Senate race; running in two contests

Just eight weeks before voters in the 3rd Assembly District will have an opportunity to re-elect Dan Logue, voters in the 4th Senate District will have a chance to cast a vote his way on the same ballot.

Logue, R-Loma Rica, announced this week he will seek the state Senate seat being vacated by state Sen. Doug LaMalfa, R-Richvale, who is running to replace retiring US Rep. Wally Herger, R-Chico, in the 1st Congressional District.

"It gives me a greater opportunity to get the message out on job growth in the North State and protecting rural California and small businesses from regulatory hostile agencies," Logue told the Appeal-Democrat on Wednesday.

"I've always said, if you grow the economy, 80 percent of the problems in California will disappear," he said.

LaMalfa announced his plans for Congress in January. His formal resignation at the end of the legislative session on Aug. 30 was viewed largely as procedural, allowing enough time to consolidate the special election with the Nov. 6 ballot.

Why Logue opted to run for the Assembly rather then step aside in favor of the Senate special election has not been made clear yet.

His decision could cost taxpayers, according to various election sources, between $2 million and $4 million, and as much as $5 million, if Logue were to win both the Senate and Assembly seats on Nov. 6 and force another special election to fill the Assembly seat.

Attempts to reach Logue on Friday were unsuccessful.

In his announcement for the Senate seat, Logue described himself as "a small-business owner and staunch opponent of government waste and over-regulation."

"For nearly four years, it has been my distinct honor to serve the voters of the North State in the Legislature," Logue said in the statement. "Since Sen. LaMalfa announced he was resigning, I have been inundated with calls from friends and supporters from throughout the North State encouraging me to run for the state Senate.

"After much prayer and discussion with my wife and family, I am confident that with their counsel and support that in the state Senate we can continue to be effective in advocating for the North State and for fixing California's broken economy."

Logue's decision sets up an election showdown with Assemblyman and rival Jim Nielsen, R-Gerber, who announced in January he would not seek re-election to the Assembly in favor of running for the Senate seat.

If Nielsen were to be elected, it would be his second time in the Senate. LaMalfa has endorsed Nielsen as his replacement.

The governor's office announced this week that the special election for the 4th Senate District has been consolidated with the Nov. 6 election and the filing period for candidates is open.

Candidacy papers can be picked up an filed at each of those counties' election offices.

When the special Assembly election would be held is uncertain, though Democrat Charles Rouse of Corning is hoping that is not going to be an issue.

In a statement released by his campaign, Rouse accused Logue of seeking "the more lucrative and powerful and ... better pension deal" available to senators.

"That's the most lowest form of cynicism and greed a politician can do to his constituents," according to the Rouse statement.