Senator Cogdill’s decision not to run for re-election may impact the race to replace Bill Leonard on the Board of Equalization.
Former Assemblyman Alan Nakanishi is seriously looking at a run at Senate District 14. Nakanishi previously ran for Senate against Mike Machado in 2000 and just missed. The race, assuming Mike Villines stays put for Insurance Commissioner, has only one other big name opponent, Assembly Tom Berryhill. Berryhill is oft mentioned as a possible successor to Sam Blakslee as Assembly Republican Leader.
Nakanishi would have to be able to get his money back from the various slates he bought. That would give him the half a million needed to run in the senate race. Having him change to Senate race changes the dynamics in a race that featured him, State Senator and rumored ballot title "Taxpayer Advocate" George Runner, Former Assemblywoman and Leonard’s deputy Barbara Alby and Senator Roy Ashburn.
His odds to win the Senate seat seem better than beating both Runner and Alby.
And people say nothing politcal happens over the holidays.