Popular north San Diego Assemblyman Mark Wyland has opted NOT to run for the seat of retiring GOP Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham. Wyland, instead, will seek the open seat of termed-out State Senator Bill Morrow.
This is ‘hot off of the press’ from regular FlashReport San Diego Correspondent Duane Dichiara, who is Wyland’s Chief of Staff. Dichiara, who is having a busy day I am sure, called me long enough to say that Wyland has decided to run for State Senate. I’m sure we’ll hear more from Dichiara later on the FR blog.
As for instant analysis from me, here is something basic, leaving the rest Dichiara, and presumably FR blogger Joe Justin (who is running Morrow’s campaign)…
The field of candidates for the safe Republican Congressional seat is still a crowded one, including State Senator Bill Morrow and former Assemblyman Howard Kaloogian, who are generally considered the conservative candidates — and former Congressman
Brian Bilbray and businessman Alan Uke, who are considered to be more moderate.
Wyland’s departure significantly alters the way this race will play out, as his popularity and immense wealth from business success made him a very formidable candidate indeed. He has a virtually lock on the "GOP safe" State Senate Seat.
This will put on-hold for now the bid of Assemblyman Goerge Plescia who was looking at the State Senate seat himself – he will back Plescia. Even further down, the nascent but impressive campaign of the popular Nathan Fletcher, a GOP operative for many years, for the Plescia Assembly seat may have to wait until the 2008 cycle.
I will add as a closing note – that Mark Wyland is a great person, of strong values,
great ethical standards, and firm in his principle. He would have been a great Congressman, and will make a great State Senator!