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Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009

Cogdill to say he won't seek 2nd term in State Senate

By E.J. Schultz / Bee Capitol Bureau

SACRAMENTO — State Sen. Dave Cogdill, R-Modesto, is expected to announce later today that he will not seek a second term, according to a source close to the senator.

The expected announcement comes a day after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger confirmed Cogdill, whose district includes Chowchilla, Mariposa County and Yosemite National Park, was on his short list for lieutenant governor. The governor told the The Bee's editorial board Monday that within two weeks he will announce his pick to replace Democrat John Garamendi, who was elected to Congress last week.

However, Cogdill’s announcement might be just a coincidence. A source close to the senator said Cogdill feels comfortable stepping down after his first term because he has achieved his top priority of passing a water bond that could include money for dams.

He celebrated the $11 billion bond bill at an event Monday with the governor and others at Millerton Lake. Voters must approve the measure in November.

Cogdill’s year got off to a rough start when he was ousted as Senate GOP leader in February by colleagues as punishment for signing off on a budget deal that included tax hikes.

Cogdill was elected to the Senate in 2006, after serving in the Assembly. He serves the 14th District, which runs from Kings Canyon National Park through eastern Fresno County and Clovis, north to Lodi.