Ackerman drops out of race

Alicia Robinson

State Sen. Dick Ackerman, the first to leap into the political

musical chairs game to replace Rep. Chris Cox, on Monday dropped out

of the race for the seat Cox is expected to vacate if confirmed by

the Senate to head the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“I decided I was going to stay here,” Ackerman said. “I was

looking at the pros and cons of going to [Washington, D.C.,] versus

[Sacramento], and basically I’d have to give up being the Senate

leader to do that at a time when we’re doing the budget, and we’re

doing probably the biggest reform package we’ve ever undertaken in

the state of California.”

That leaves his GOP colleague, Sen. John Campbell -- who got into

the race after initially saying he wasn’t interested -- and Newport

Beach’s Marilyn Brewer, an assemblywoman from 1994 to 2000, still

vying for the potential House vacancy.

Campbell succeeded Brewer in the 70th Assembly District seat,

which represents Newport Beach, so each would likely have some name

recognition in the area.

Ackerman’s pullout was a pleasant surprise to Campbell, who said

his colleague would have been a formidable opponent but is also a

friend.

Also on Monday, former state Sen. John Lewis of Orange decided he

won’t enter the race.

“It’s primarily family considerations,” he said.

But it was also politics, according to the official statement

Lewis released.

Besides not wanting to disrupt the lives of his family, Lewis said

in the statement that “to have two or more conservatives splitting

votes and possibly helping elect someone who otherwise would be too

liberal for the district is a major consideration as well.”

It may take some time to determine how the rest of the race shapes

up. Some observers and potential candidates are declining to make

predictions because, as Ackerman said, “there’s no election yet.”

Until Cox is confirmed -- and no Senate hearing has been scheduled

yet -- the seat isn’t officially open, and no special election will

be set to fill it. But with Ackerman out, Campbell’s odds may have

improved. He also picked up the endorsement of Assemblyman Chuck

DeVore on Monday.

“I think the dynamics right now are that it looks very good for

me,” Campbell said. “But it’s early, and I am going to run this

campaign like I was behind five other competitors.”

Brewer could not be reached for comment Monday.

While Campbell thought the latest developments will discourage

other people from jumping into the race, Ackerman disagreed.

“I think you’re likely to see more people get in, because I’m

aware of a number of people who said they were thinking about it but

when I had my hat in the ring said they would not [run],” Ackerman

said.

Meanwhile, another former politician may be setting the stage for

a comeback. Former Assemblyman Ken Maddox -- who was termed out of

the 68th District seat last year and lost the state Senate primary

bid to Campbell -- said he’ll travel to Sacramento this week to

consider the prospects for a second shot at the Senate seat.

But just like nearly everyone else, he said it’s too early to make

a decision.

“I’m just waiting for the music to stop,” he joked.

* ALICIA ROBINSON covers government and politics. She may be

reached at (714) 966-4626 or by e-mail at alicia.robinson

@latimes.com.