Chick Says No to Bid for State Controller

Los Angeles City Controller Laura Chick said Thursday that she will not run for state controller next year, choosing instead to finish city projects that include the formation of a fraud and abuse strike force in her office.

“It is important to me that I stay and oversee this critical arm of my office during its infancy,” Chick said in a statement.

Chick, a Democrat, is dropping out of what is shaping up to be a formidable field. Other Democrats planning to run are state Sen. Joe Dunn of Santa Ana, Assemblyman Dario Frommer of Glendale and John Chiang, chairman of the State Board of Equalization.

Republicans considering the office include state Sen. Abel Maldonado of Santa Maria and former assemblyman Tony Strickland of Thousand Oaks.

Political consultant Dan Schnur said Chick’s decision was smart, given that state politicians in the race are better known to voters and can tap the “huge amounts” of money required for a statewide run.

“She is one of the stars on the Los Angeles political scene, but if she ran for state office she would just be one of several candidates scraping for attention and money,” Schnur said.

Elected city controller in 2001 and reelected this year, Chick had been exploring a run for the state office for months.

But, she said, she still has much to accomplish in the 3 1/2 years before term limits force her from office.

Last week, Chick offered to oversee an audit of the Los Angeles Unified School District.

In Thursday’s statement, Chick renewed her proposal to oversee a schools audit.

“I want to engage our school board, elected leaders and communities in delivering an accountable and transparent school district. Nothing will deter me from making that happen,” she said.