Features

Much of Councilmember Kriss Worthington’s time is spent working on issues such as low-income housing, diversity and labor. But, he told the Daily Planet on Thursday, his efforts are often blocked by the inadequacy of state laws. 

And so on Monday, Worthington is announcing his run for state legislature. The announcement will be at 5:30 p.m. at Le Bateau Ivre, 2629 Telegraph Ave.  

The caveat for a Worthington run is that, if a ballot measure tweaking term limits passes in February allowing members of the state legislature to remain in their seats for 12 years, incumbent Loni Hancock will run again for her safe assembly seat. In that case, Worthington—and likely most other challengers—will bow out.  

If the ballot measure fails, State Sen. Don Perata will be term-limited out of office. If so, Hancock has said she will run for his office (probably against former Supervisor Wilma Chan). That will leave Hancock’s assembly seat wide open. 

Other people who may seek the assembly seat are Richmond City Councilmembers Jim Rogers and Tony Thurmond, Richmond City Councilmember, Phillip L. Polakoff, M.D. of Berkeley, West Contra Costa School Boardmember Charles Ramsey and East Bay Regional Parks District board member Nancy Skinner. 

Councilmember Darryl Moore, who had told the Daily Planet last year that he was considering a run for the seat, said he would defer to Worthington and Skinner and concentrate on reelection for his council seat. 

The ballot measure on term limits will be decided in a February election, which is when the presidential primaries will be held. The State Assembly and State Senate primaries will be held in June, and the council/mayor races will be in November. Districts 2 (Moore), 5 (Laurie Capitelli) and 7 (Betty Olds) will be up for election at that time. The 2006 mayor’s race elected a mayor for a two-year term, so that future mayor’s races, beginning this November, would coincide with the presidential race. There will be a mayoral race in November 2008.