Lori Saldaña's Indecision 2012

Ex–Democratic assemblywoman Lori Saldaña, who apparently has had difficulty making up her mind on what office to run for next, recently announced she will take on GOP congressman Brian Bilbray in a newly redrawn district that reduces the previous Republican voter registration edge. Last year, Saldaña announced she would challenge GOP county supervisor Ron Roberts, then later dropped out of the race. Over the years she’s filed a number of campaign committees for various offices, including the state Board of Equalization and the state senate, but failed to follow through. During the first six months of the year, according to recent campaign-disclosure filings with the California secretary of state, Saldaña raised a total of $19,660 in contributions to her Saldaña for Senate 2012 committee. She spent $13,292.23 and was left with $9560.39 of cash in the bank. Donors included ex–city councilman John Hartley ($100); environmental lawyer Cory Briggs ($250); Ben Dillingham, onetime aide to ex-mayor Maureen O’Connor ($250); La Jolla attorney Candace Carroll ($500); liberal investor Lawrence Hess ($3900); the California Correctional Peace Officers Association ($1200); the California Association of Psychiatric Technicians, Inc., Political Action Fund ($1000); and the Karen Bass for Congress committee ($1000). A significant percentage of the money was spent on travel and lodging related to the state Democratic convention in Sacramento in April, as well as other trips, meetings, dinners, and fundraising activities.