Pico eyes state Assembly race Pico eyes state Assembly race (May 02, 2003)

Mayor may seek Dutra's seat in 2004
by Jeb Bing

Mayor Tom Pico may seek the Democratic Party nomination for the 20th State Assembly seat now held by Assemblyman John Dutra of Fremont.

Because of term limits, Dutra cannot seek re-election to the Assembly when his term expires in November 2004.

The 20th Assembly District, which is heavily Democratic, includes the cities of Fremont, Newark, Milpitas and Union City and parts of San Jose, Castro Valley, Hayward and Pleasanton.

Pico said he is putting together a committee to explore his viability as a candidate in a district that has been dominated by Fremont voters in the past. If he decides to run, he has until early next year to file for the March 2 primary. If successful then, he would have to focus on the Assembly race and would be unable to seek re-election to the mayor's post in the general election scheduled for Nov. 2, 2004.

Pico won re-election to his second term as mayor last November, defeating opponent and former city Police Chief Bill Eastman by a wide margin. By law, Pico, who previously served eight years on the City Council, can serve as many as four consecutive two-year terms as mayor.

"I was very encouraged by my campaign for mayor," Pico said. "I had the support of the firefighters and other labor unions and established a broad base of support among business and civic and community organizations. I believe I have the skills, experience and regional support to win the Assembly seat and serve Pleasanton and the 20th district."

Since becoming mayor in 2000, Pico has gained leadership roles in 10 key Alameda County and regional agencies that also encompass cities in the 20th Assembly district. He is chairman of the Alameda County Congestion Management Agency and was recently elected president of the Alameda County Mayors' Conference.

Dutra worked for the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory for 12 years, but became more widely known after 1972 when he founded Dutra Realty Enterprises. He was elected to his second term in the State Assembly in November 2000 and serves as chair of the transportation committee.