Holden to Seek State Office

Months after being forced from office by term limits, former Los Angeles City Councilman Nate Holden announced Monday that he will run for a state Assembly seat in the March election.

Holden, 74, of Baldwin Hills, is seeking a return trip to Sacramento. He served four years in the state Senate before his 16-year stint on the City Council.

“I will bring to Sacramento some knowledge about how to get the job done and how to protect the interests of the people,” said Holden, a Democrat.

Holden will run in the 47th Assembly District, which is represented by Speaker Herb Wesson (D-Culver City), who cannot run again because of term limits.

The district includes Baldwin Hills, the Crenshaw district, Culver City, Century City and Westwood.

Holden said experience is especially critical in Sacramento with the arrival of Gov.-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger, a newcomer to state government, and the departure of veteran legislators forced out by term limits.The former councilman said he has raised $70,000 for his candidacy.

Other candidates who have filed statements of intention to run in the Democratic primary for the 47th District include Canard E. Barnes, Karen Bass, Richard P. Groper, Rickey Ivie and Anthony Willoughby. No candidates have filed statements yet to run in the primary for any other party in the district.