steveneal

stevenealThough he is saying that he is “keeping all of his options open,” 9th District Councilmember Steve Neal recently filed paperwork for a fundraising committee indicating that he may run for a state Assembly position next year.

The paperwork would allow Neal to pursue a campaign in the 64th Assembly District, which will be vacant next year when incumbent Isadore Hall, D-Compton, becomes termed out in 2014.

The 64th contains portions of Compton, Rancho Dominguez, Wilmington and North Long Beach, the latter of which comprises some of Neal’s 9th District north of Del Amo Blvd. and west of Atlantic Ave. Prior to redistricting last year, the 64th District was the 54th District and included all of North Long Beach above South St.

Neal was first elected to his 9th District council seat in 2010 and may also run for re-election there.

Though it is possible for Neal to win both positions–City elections are in June while the state elections are in November–Neal told the Press-Telegram that he would not put the city in a position to trigger a costly special election should he leave a vacant council seat.

“I would either do one or the other,” Neal told the Press-Telegram.

If Neal does decide to run, it is likey that he will be pit against Carson City Councilmember Mike Gipson and Compton Unified School District Board Member Micah Ali.