Gloria Negrete McLeod becomes sixth California House member to quit

In announcing Tuesday that she will run for another office, Rep. Gloria Negrete McLeod (D-Chino) became the sixth member of California’s House delegation to decide against seeking reelection this year.

The freshman congresswoman who defeated a member of her own party in 2012 said she will campaign instead for a seat on the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.

“My heart is here in the district,” Negrete McLeod said in a written statement.

After agonizing over whether to run for reelection to Congress or a seat on the Board of Supervisors, “my desire to represent this community locally, where I have lived for more than 40 years, and where I have long served as an elected official, won out,” the former state legislator said.

The other departing House members are retiring, not seeking other offices.

Negrete McLeod’s departure is likely to set up another intraparty fight for her seat in the heavily Democratic 35th District, which stretches east from Pomona to Rialto.

Her announcement set off speculation that former Rep. Joe Baca of Rialto, whom she defeated in November 2012, would run again in the district. Baca said Tuesday he still is running in a neighboring district to replace retiring Rep. Gary Miller (R-Rancho Cucamonga) but was keeping his options open.

Besides Miller, Democrats Henry A. Waxman of Beverly Hills and George Miller of Martinez and Republicans Howard “Buck” McKeon of Santa Clarita and John Campbell of Irvine have announced they are retiring when their terms end.

Because there will be no incumbent on the June 3 primary ballot, the candidate filing period will be extended until March 12.

ALSO:

Gun charges filed against San Bernardino assemblyman

Tim Donnelly gets fine, probation after plea on gun charges

In an underdog campaign for governor, Donnelly expresses high hopes

jean.merl@latimes.com

Twitter: @jeanmerl

richard.simon@latimes.com

Twitter: @richardsimon