By Lookout Staff
March 16 – Council member Bobby Shriver – who retained his council seat with the second-highest vote count in Santa Monica history -- is considering a run for state attorney general in 2010, joining a crowded field eyeing the post currently held by former California Gov. Jerry Brown.
Shriver – who is the brother in law of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and a nephew of former President John F. Kennedy -- confirmed he is being courted to run for what is widely considered the most powerful state post after the governorship.
Political consultant Harvey Englander, who called Shriver “extraordinarily independent,” told reporters Friday that he has been discussing a possible run with Shriver since last fall.
Shriver, who was recently elected to a second four-year term in November, would be entering a crowded field studded with high profile contenders who have expressed interest in the post.
They include San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris, Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo and Facebook executive Chris Kelly.
Also expected to make a bid are Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico, D-Newark, Assemblyman Ted Lieu, D-Torrance and Assemblyman Pedro Nava, D-Santa Barbara.
Shriver, 54, would bring the Kennedy name, the experience of growing up in a political family (his father Sargent Shriver was the driving force behind the creation of the Peace Corps and the Democratic Party's 1972 vice presidential candidate) and the ability to raise large sums of money.
He also has proven to be a highly liked political figure. In the November race for four open seats on the City Council, Shriver extended his voter base across the city, picking up 50 of Santa Monica’s 54 precincts. (“Shriver Expands Base,” January 26, 2009)
Shriver’s 24,298 votes was the second-highest vote tally in local council history.
Shriver, a Yale Law School graduate, has founded two philanthropic groups -- Product Red, with U2 front-man Bono and DATA.
Brown issued a statement through his press office Friday saying he had made no decision whether to run for reelection or seek to reclaim the Governor’s post.
"I am actively engaged in doing my job as attorney general," Brown said. "I am currently raising money for re-election. I've made no decision about running for governor, but I am giving it serious consideration."
A high-profile post, the state attorney general can prosecute criminals, have a say in wide-ranging issues and sue large corporations.
