Garamendi considering run for CA-10

Lt. Governor John Garamendi (D-CA) is taking one eye off his flagging gubernatorial bid to take a look at the CA-10 special election.

According to a report this weekend in the Contra Costa Times, Garamendi, who lives on the outskirts of the district, thinks the race to replace Ellen Tauscher might be more welcoming than the expensive gubernatorial bid. From the Times:

Wait, isn’t Garamendi running for governor? Yeah, although reports of a faltering campaign circulated recently after one of his top campaign staffers quit.

In a statement late Friday, here is what Garamendi said: “A number of people suggested I consider this seat. Of course, I will check it out. As a former undersecretary of the interior, there is a lot of exciting work going on in Washington. Much is possible with Barack Obama.

“But I am focused on California and my campaign for governor.”

So, is he running for Congress or not? It sounds like he is keeping his options open.

State Sen. Mark DeSaulnier (D-Concord) is considered by many to be the front-runner for the seat, lining up endorsements from Tauscher and Rep. George Miller, among others. Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan (D) is also running.

(h/t: Swing State Project)