Glendale Councilman to Seek Rogan’s Assembly Seat

Glendale Councilman Sheldon Baker on Monday joined several other Republicans already seeking the GOP nomination to succeed state Assemblyman Jim Rogan (R-Glendale).

Baker, a 55-year-old tax attorney who calls himself a conservative Republican, told supporters at a campaign kick-off news conference in Burbank that he brings almost two decades of public service to the race for the 43rd Assembly District seat that Rogan is relinquishing.

Instead of seeking reelection to the assembly, Rogan next year will be running for the congressional seat now held by retiring U.S. Rep. Carlos Moorhead (R-Glendale).

“I am the only Republican candidate . . . with the the depth of experience to fill Jim Rogan’s shoes,” Baker said Monday as he unveiled a list of endorsements from a number of community leaders, including two of his council colleagues, Mary Ann Plumley and Eileen Givens.

“It’s time for bold new leadership to end the paralysis in Sacramento and pass the tough reforms needed to get Californian back on the right track,” Baker said.

Baker was first elected to the Glendale City Council in April, 1993, and currently chairs the city’s redevelopment agency. From 1965 to 1981, the Stanford University law school graduate served as a member of the Glendale Unified School District board of trustees.

Baker’s campaign kick-off event followed similar, earlier announcements of candidacy for the Rogan seat by Peter Repovich, a Los Angeles Police Department officer, and Peter Musurlian, a Moorhead aide.