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Rep. John Doolittle makes his way to a press briefing Thursday, where he said he won't seek re-election.
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Sam Aanestad
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Rico Oller
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ROSEVILLE - The politicians wasted no time politicking for the 4th District congressional seat held by John Doolittle, though one professed, "I'm not going to dance on John's grave."
Doolittle, under investigation for a lobbying scandal, said Thursday at a press conference in Roseville that he will not seek re-election for a 10th term.
"I planned to run until just recently," he said at the briefing. "I'm ready for a change."
The news - widely speculated - came as Doolittle faced pressure from the GOP because of his alleged ties to jailed lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who pled guilty to illegal lobbying in 2006. The year's long investigation is continuing, though Doolittle, 57, denies any wrongdoing.
"I'm sure he's gotten lots of pressure, or at least held discussions, with the NRC (National Republican Committee)" about his situation, said Bill Neuharth, chairman of the Nevada County Republican Central Committee, who attended a meeting of Republicans before the briefing. The GOP is suffering from losing control of Congress in 2006.
Doolittle's decision, after serving 17 years in Congress, puts a solidly Republican congressional seat up for grabs in the June primary and November election.
Just after Doolittle concluded his remarks, state Sen. Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) said he is considering running for Doolittle's seat, joining a host of others.
"You've got to be interested in the job," Aanestad told The Union. "Whether it's a good fit for my wife and I, we haven't had that conversation yet.
"Maybe now I need to think about it, but I've got three years left on my Senate term. Now the bridge is there, and we'll see if we cant to cross it," he said.
As predicted, former state Sen. Thomas "Rico" Oller threw his hat into the ring.
"I believe in the conservative values and principles that helped shape this great nation, and that's the leadership I will take with me to Washington," Oller said. "Voters in this district deserve a candidate who will fight vigorously against illegal immigration, who will resist calls for higher taxes and a candidate who will defend our freedom."
Doolittle, under investigation for a lobbying scandal, said Thursday at a press conference in Roseville that he will not seek re-election for a 10th term.
"I planned to run until just recently," he said at the briefing. "I'm ready for a change."
The news - widely speculated - came as Doolittle faced pressure from the GOP because of his alleged ties to jailed lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who pled guilty to illegal lobbying in 2006. The year's long investigation is continuing, though Doolittle, 57, denies any wrongdoing.
"I'm sure he's gotten lots of pressure, or at least held discussions, with the NRC (National Republican Committee)" about his situation, said Bill Neuharth, chairman of the Nevada County Republican Central Committee, who attended a meeting of Republicans before the briefing. The GOP is suffering from losing control of Congress in 2006.
Doolittle's decision, after serving 17 years in Congress, puts a solidly Republican congressional seat up for grabs in the June primary and November election.
Just after Doolittle concluded his remarks, state Sen. Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) said he is considering running for Doolittle's seat, joining a host of others.
"You've got to be interested in the job," Aanestad told The Union. "Whether it's a good fit for my wife and I, we haven't had that conversation yet.
"Maybe now I need to think about it, but I've got three years left on my Senate term. Now the bridge is there, and we'll see if we cant to cross it," he said.
As predicted, former state Sen. Thomas "Rico" Oller threw his hat into the ring.
"I believe in the conservative values and principles that helped shape this great nation, and that's the leadership I will take with me to Washington," Oller said. "Voters in this district deserve a candidate who will fight vigorously against illegal immigration, who will resist calls for higher taxes and a candidate who will defend our freedom."
Oller served as state senator representing the 1st District from 2000 to 2004 and in the state Assembly for the 4th District from 1996 to 2000. Oller lost a 3rd District race to former California Attorney General Dan Lungren in 2004.
The first bill that was signed into law by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Oller measure (SB 60), repealed a state law that granted driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.
Other challengers for Doolittle's seat will include Democrat Charlie Brown and two declared Republican challengers - former Auburn Mayor Mike Holmes and Air Force reservist Eric Egland.
"It's a great day for Republicans," Egland said. "We can finally move beyond the scandal and return to talking about the issues."
State Assemblyman Ted Gaines of Granite Bay also has formed an exploratory committee, and former Rep. Doug Ose said he might run.
"This is serious business, and I'm going to give it serious consideration," Ose said. "I'm not going to dance on John's grave, so it's going to take me some time to work through it."
State Assemblyman Rick Keene (R-Chico) has no plans to run for Doolittle's seat, said a spokesman for Keene.
Cedar Ridge resident Theodore Terbolizard has also announced he is running for Doolittle's seat. He calls himself a "paleo-Republican" and has done much of his campaigning online on YouTube, MySpace and FaceBook.
Brown, who is expected to face one of the Republican challengers in November, was soft spoken.
"I believe John did the right thing today for his family, for the 4th District and for America," the Roseville Democrat said. "Now is the time to unite as Americans, to heal our wounds and move forward to solve the many difficult challenges we face both here in CD4 and across the country we love."
In 2006, Doolittle almost got beat by Brown. Doolittle won by only 9,000 votes and lost in Nevada County. The close call made him politically vulnerable for the first time in years.
The first bill that was signed into law by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Oller measure (SB 60), repealed a state law that granted driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.
Other challengers for Doolittle's seat will include Democrat Charlie Brown and two declared Republican challengers - former Auburn Mayor Mike Holmes and Air Force reservist Eric Egland.
"It's a great day for Republicans," Egland said. "We can finally move beyond the scandal and return to talking about the issues."
State Assemblyman Ted Gaines of Granite Bay also has formed an exploratory committee, and former Rep. Doug Ose said he might run.
"This is serious business, and I'm going to give it serious consideration," Ose said. "I'm not going to dance on John's grave, so it's going to take me some time to work through it."
State Assemblyman Rick Keene (R-Chico) has no plans to run for Doolittle's seat, said a spokesman for Keene.
Cedar Ridge resident Theodore Terbolizard has also announced he is running for Doolittle's seat. He calls himself a "paleo-Republican" and has done much of his campaigning online on YouTube, MySpace and FaceBook.
Brown, who is expected to face one of the Republican challengers in November, was soft spoken.
"I believe John did the right thing today for his family, for the 4th District and for America," the Roseville Democrat said. "Now is the time to unite as Americans, to heal our wounds and move forward to solve the many difficult challenges we face both here in CD4 and across the country we love."
In 2006, Doolittle almost got beat by Brown. Doolittle won by only 9,000 votes and lost in Nevada County. The close call made him politically vulnerable for the first time in years.
Brown staffer Todd Stenhouse declined to handicap a race that pits his candidate against a new one. His campaign spending had far outpaced Doolittle's.
"The horse race question doesn't solve the health care crisis, or do anything about the situation in Iraq," Stenhouse said. "Charlie's focused on the issues, not on the horse race."
The candidate filing period for California's June 2008 primary begins Feb. 11.
Doolittle's troubles began when he intervened on Indian gaming issues for Abramoff and referred to him as a friend.
After Doolittle's wife performed work for Abramoff, the couple's home office was raided by the FBI in April 2007 as part of the three-year investigation into the lobbyist's activities.
Later in the year, Doolittle resigned from his position on the powerful House Appropriations Committee.
"Julie and I have made this decision after much prayer and deliberation," Doolittle said. "We are at peace with the choice, and I am actually quite happy with it and look forward to starting a new chapter in our lives."
The political fate of Doolittle came into sharp focus this week, when he flew from Washington to his district late Tuesday for a Wednesday morning meeting with staffers.
The Union was able to confirm that Doolittle would not seek re-election before he spoke in Roseville.
"I have absolutely no idea" what he's going to do, Doolittle said after the briefing. Asked if he would become a lobbyist, Doolittle said he would not rule anything out but had no specific plans.
House Republicans praised Doolittle.
"The horse race question doesn't solve the health care crisis, or do anything about the situation in Iraq," Stenhouse said. "Charlie's focused on the issues, not on the horse race."
The candidate filing period for California's June 2008 primary begins Feb. 11.
Doolittle's troubles began when he intervened on Indian gaming issues for Abramoff and referred to him as a friend.
After Doolittle's wife performed work for Abramoff, the couple's home office was raided by the FBI in April 2007 as part of the three-year investigation into the lobbyist's activities.
Later in the year, Doolittle resigned from his position on the powerful House Appropriations Committee.
"Julie and I have made this decision after much prayer and deliberation," Doolittle said. "We are at peace with the choice, and I am actually quite happy with it and look forward to starting a new chapter in our lives."
The political fate of Doolittle came into sharp focus this week, when he flew from Washington to his district late Tuesday for a Wednesday morning meeting with staffers.
The Union was able to confirm that Doolittle would not seek re-election before he spoke in Roseville.
"I have absolutely no idea" what he's going to do, Doolittle said after the briefing. Asked if he would become a lobbyist, Doolittle said he would not rule anything out but had no specific plans.
House Republicans praised Doolittle.
"John's decision was made in the best interests of his family, his constituents and the House, and I appreciate his years of service in Congress," Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) said. "My prayers remain with John and Julie, and I wish them the best as they work to bring this difficult process to a resolution."
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To contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller, e-mail dmoller@theunion.com or call 477-4237. To contact Editor Jeff Pelline, e-mail jpelline@theunion.com or call 477-4235. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Those who will or might run for Doolittle's congressional seat:
• Charlie Brown of Roseville (declared)
• Sam Aanestad (possible)
• Rico Oller (declared)
• Mike Holmes (declared)
• Eric Egland (declared)
• Doug Ose (possible)
ooo
To contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller, e-mail dmoller@theunion.com or call 477-4237. To contact Editor Jeff Pelline, e-mail jpelline@theunion.com or call 477-4235. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Those who will or might run for Doolittle's congressional seat:
• Charlie Brown of Roseville (declared)
• Sam Aanestad (possible)
• Rico Oller (declared)
• Mike Holmes (declared)
• Eric Egland (declared)
• Doug Ose (possible)
