Termed-out State Assemblywoman Betty Karnette, a former teacher representing greater Long Beach in Sacramento since 1992, has announced her candidacy for a 2010 run for State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
The longtime teacher is in the final weeks of a long political career in both the state senate and state assembly. She won her first term in office in 1992, defeating Republican Steve Kuykendall in a close race for state assembly, only to lose to Kuykendall in a rematch two years later.
In 1996, she ran for State Senate, won easily, was re-elected in 2000, then ran for another term in the state assembly in 2004. This time, she easily beat Kuykendall, and went on to re-election in 2006. That term, her final under state law, ends in December.
On Saturday, friends and supporters will gather at Cal State Long Beach's Pyramid for a dinner and banquet in her honor. The 6 p.m. event also gives Karnette - a former public school teacher - a chance to rally supporters for a run at California's top educational office.
Current Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell is termed-out and will be out of office by 2010.
Karnette will compete in the 2010 Democratic primary against at least two declared opponents - State Sen. Tom Torlakson, D-Contra Costa, and State Sen. Gloria Romero, D-East Los Angeles.
Both Karnette and Romero are Cal State Long Beach graduates and former teachers.
Paul Eakins reports on Long Beach City Hall, and local and regional
politics. A newcomer to the Press-
Kris Hanson reports on the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles,
covering environmental issues, economic triumphs and
pitfalls and trade trends of America’s largest port.
He also writes a weekly column “On The Waterfront”,
appearing Tuesdays, and also produces an occassional video
and column titled “On The Job,” which follows the hard-working
men and women who keep Southern California’s economy humming.
Karen Robes Meeks came to work for the Press-
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