Hauser to Run for Keene’s Seat

Democratic Assemblyman Dan Hauser of Arcata says he’ll run for the soon-to-be-vacant state Senate seat occupied by Majority Leader Barry Keene of Benecia, who plans to resign next month.

Keene, a 20-year legislative veteran, has announced that he will resign next month, frustrated by his inability to make changes through “the Rube Goldberg-type of legislative operation that we have.” His efforts in the last year to limit campaign spending, eliminate the two-thirds vote requirement for budgets and tax bills, and convene a constitutional convention were either defeated in the Legislature or vetoed by the governor.

Keene and Hauser’s districts both cover several counties in the North Coast area.