State Senator Alan Lowenthal has organized an exploratory committee to gather support for a run at the office of Lieutenant Governor in the 2010 race, in order to further his platform of improving education and the environment, he said Tuesday afternoon.
“I’ve been thinking about the fact that I’ve been in the legislature for ten years,” Lowenthal said, “And how much of my focus has been on educational issues, and also environmental issues. As far as advancing that agenda, this position really allows me to do that.”
Sen. Lowenthal was recently re-elected to his position as 27th District State Senator in November, and shortly after told the Press-Telegram that it was likely his last election. But in speaking with the lbpost.com today, he seemed eager to expand his influence.
“It seems to me to be the next natural progression,” he said. “I think I can play a role not only in terms of our district but in terms of our state.”
Lowenthal noted the number of boards and commissions that the Lieutenant Governor sits on and the influence that such positions hold on the issues that he identifies as most important. Specifically, he noted the three-member State Lands Commission as one that would carry significant influence on major land management issues across the state.
Sen. Lowenthal last year made his second attempt at pushing through legislation that would have taxed shipping companies for every container brought into California ports so that money could be raised for cleaner infrastructure renovations, but the bill was vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger. Lowenthal says that the bill would be a priority if his bid for Lieutenant Governor proves to be successful.
“I’m going to continue with the container fee,” he said. “If I were in the Lieutenant Governor position I would really be pushing for people to be fighting for this legislation.”
He went on to stress the importance of better water quality and plans to “totally electrify” the railroad transportation system in an effort to cut down on pollution and save energy.
“If we want to really reduce global warning,” he said, “We have to look at new ways of moving people and goods.”
Sen. Lowenthal’s next step after forming an exploratory committee and determining fundraising prospects will be to officially declare to run, but as he says, “There is a lot of time between now and then.” Candidates have more than one year before they must officially announce their candidacy, and Sen. Lowenthal adds that he expects many candidates to emerge in that time.
By Ryan ZumMallen, Managing Editor