Sen. Pat Wiggins to Retire in 2010, Noreen Evans to run for her seat

by: Brian Leubitz

Mon Aug 24, 2009 at 11:23:55 AM PDT

Over the past few months, questions have been spreading through the Capitol community and beyond about Sen. Wiggins health. Recently, the whispers become a rumble, even while her staff publicly stated that she was perfectly fine.  Her health should remain her own business while she remains capable of fulfilling her duties as a Senator. And despite all else that is said of her, she has maintained the best attendance record in the Senate. In other words, when the bell rings, she answers.

"The best decision, at this time, is that I will not be seeking re-election in 2010," Wiggins said Sunday at a campaign fund-raiser at the Kendall-Jackson Wine Center outside Santa Rosa.
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Tony Alvernaz, president of Santa Rosa City Employees Association, expressed sadness at the announcement. "It is unfortunate it has come to this. She has done a phenomenal job," he said. "She has carried so much legislation for the working class people of her district." (Santa Rosa P-D 8/23/09)

Her decision came as something of a surprise despite any past rumors, and her presence will certainly be missed. However, her decision to retire would open up an opportunity for one of the rising stars of the Assembly, Noreen Evans. Evans has served as Budget Committee Chair in the Assembly since John Laird was termed out and has really taken to the job. She has her own blog where she's posted some super wonky (some would say a bit staid or boring) but incredibly powerful videos.  Evans (and/or her staff) has already indicated that she would be running for the gig.

UPDATE: And it's official, Evans will run for the seat. Press release over the flip.

Assemblywoman Noreen Evans Announces Her Candidacy for State Senate District 2

Evans Earns Immediate Endorsement from Prominent Democratic Leaders

SANTA ROSA-State Assemblymember Noreen Evans announced today her 2010 candidacy for the open state Senate seat to represent District 2 in Northern California, and immediately earned endorsements from some of California's top Democratic leaders.

Reps. Mike Thompson and Lynn Woolsey, both of whose Congressional Districts cover all or parts of Senate District 2, state Senate President Darrell Steinberg, state Senator Wiggins and Assembly Speaker Karen Bass all announced their support for Evans, saying she is the strongest leader and best qualified to serve District 2 and California.

"Assemblymember Evans is just the kind of experienced, hard-working problem solver that California needs right now as we work to create jobs, fix our state budget problems and revive our state economy," Steinberg said. "Assemblymember Evans is the best choice for District 2."

"First, I want to thank Sen. Wiggins, Pat, for her many years of excellent and dedicated public service to her constituents, her District and to California," Evans said. "Pat has been a friend, a leader and a colleague for many years and I know I have my work cut out for me to fill her shoes."

Assemblymember Evans currently is serving her third term representing Assembly District 7, which includes all of Napa County and parts of Sonoma and Solano counties. Evans is chair of the Assembly Budget Committee and the Assembly Select Committee on Wine and is also a member of the Committees on Banking and Finance, Governmental Organization, and Judiciary.  She also serves on the Joint Legislative Audit Committee Evans is seeking the Democratic nomination for state Senate, the primary for which will be held in June 2010. Evans currently serves as chair of the Assembly Budget Committee.