GLENDALE : Zarian Won’t Seek Seat in Assembly

Glendale Mayor Larry Zarian said Monday that he will not run for the state Assembly seat vacated by Pat Nolan, the Republican legislator who resigned after pleading guilty to a racketeering charge.

Zarian said at a news conference that he did not want to give up considerable local clout to be another rookie in the state Legislature.

“I need to be a leader,” he said. “I need to be a spokesperson and I need to make an impact.”

Zarian would have had to resign his seat on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, where he is second vice chairman, in order to take Nolan’s post. But he said he would rather maintain Glendale’s representation on the board and work for a light-rail corridor through Burbank and Glendale.

Zarian said he would also have to give up his membership in the state Regional Water Quality Control Board and the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp.

“I’m going to finish what I feel needs to be finished,” said Zarian, 56, who has been mayor in Glendale for three years and on the City Council for 11. He said that in the past 12 days many Glendale residents have been encouraging him to run, while council members in Glendale and Burbank have been inquiring about his decision.

“One important personal reason is my 84-year-old mother,” who lives in Glendale, Zarian said. “I am her sole support.”

Nolan’s replacement should fight over-regulation of business as well as a be a strong supporter of law enforcement, Zarian said.

“It’s going to be the toughest election the Republicans are going to have,” he said. “We must keep this district Republican. I’ve worked too hard to sit back and watch the Democrats win.”