Modesto's Cogdill won't seek re-election in state senate

Sen. Dave Cogdill, R-Modesto, announced today that he does not plan to seek re-election because he wants to spend more time with his family.

He's leaving office on a high note. He considers the Legislature’s recent vote to put an $11 billion water bond before voters one of his top accomplishments over the decade he held in elected office as an assemblyman sand senator.

"While more work lies ahead to complete this goal, I am confident that Californians will support an investment in a reliable water supply for this generation as well as our children and grandchildren," Cogdill said about the water bond.

His decision surprised Stanislaus County Republican leaders who were counting him seeking re-election next year.

"That's news to me," said Stanislaus County Supervisor Jim DeMartini, the chairman of the Stanislaus County Republican Central Committee, which steered $17,000 to Cogdill's re-election campaign last month. "I am really quite surprised. He’s really done such a fine job. I thought he’d be a shoe-in for re-election."

Cogdill rose to become the leader of the Republican Party in the State Senate, but was ousted from his position in February because of dissent within the party over a budget-balancing compromise Cogdill helped broker. His colleagues opposed about $14 billion in temporary taxes that were part of the deal.

"He had to reach a deal to get the budget passed," DeMartini said. "He feels about taxes the same way I do." Gov. Schwarzenegger praised Cogdill in a news release today.

"Dave has been a true partner over the years and has shown great leadership at times when California needed it most," the governor said. "He consistently puts the needs of Californians ahead of his own interests or political endeavors and it has been a privilege and honor to work together to address the challenges facing our state. Dave will be concluding his time as a legislator on an extremely high note and all Californians owe him a debt of gratitude for his service and dedication to making California a better place."

Cogdill has more than $400,000 in his re-election campaign fund. He has been rumored to be on the short list of candidates to become the state’s next lieutenant governor to fill a seat vacated by John Garamendi, who won a congressional race last week.