Portantino Not Running for Office in 2012

Anthony Portantino, who represents part of San Marino, announced Wednesday evening that he will not run for office in 2012, as the need to head back East to watch over his mother Barbara's health has taken precedence over politics.

"Since I will be travelling back East to help with Mom's care and it is likely I will be needed in New Jersey to pack up her house and to help with her transition into assisted living, I won't be able to campaign in the manner that my supporters expect and our district deserves, while still attending to my legislative responsibilties," he wrote in a statement. 

The La Cañada Flintridge Democrat wrote of some personal issues faced in the past year, such as the in addition to his mother's fading well-being. He also pointed out that his choice "in no way ends my political career. Placing it on 'hold' allows me to focus on my family while they need me. I will continue to put trust and accountability back into public service, now and in the future."

Portantino was a central figure in the in late 2011, and also on legislators' budget spending.

He had announced that he would run for Congress in 2012, and raised more than $300,000 for the race.  However, state redistricting put him in the same district as incumbent Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Pasadena, and quickly announced her intentions to run in the district next door, which includes many of the towns Portantino represents as an Assemblyman.

Some also suggested he might make a run for state Senate, challenging Sen. Carol Liu, D-Pasadena, but Portantino never announced his intentions to do so.

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