Ellen Corbett 'Exploring' Run For Congress in 2012

Former San Leandro Mayor and current state Senate Majority Leader Ellen Corbett said she is considering a bid to run in Democratic primary for Congress in 2012.

"I'm not campaigning, I'm just exploring," Corbett told Patch last week.

Corbett filed papers with the Federal Elections Commission in September to run for the newly formed 15th Congressional District, as noted by San Leandro Bytes.

But as East Bay Citizen blogger Steven Tavares wrote at the time, it wasn't clear whether Corbett planned to run in 2012, while she would retain her state senate seat, or in 2014 when she would be termed out.

A 2012 run would pit Corbett against Rep. Pete Stark (D-Fremont) who has declared his intention to run for the new 15th Congressional District.

Dublin City Councilmember Eric Swalwell announced his intention for the nomination in September.

The new district includes San Lorenzo, Castro Valley, Hayward, Union City and portions of the Tri-Valley communities of Dublin, Pleasanton, San Ramon and Livermore.

Corbett is still being cagey about her intentions.

But she discussed a possible 2012 run at a mid-December gathering of long-time supporters held at the San Leandro home of Isobel Dvorsky, chair of the Chabot-Las Positas Community College District.

"I basically asked them what they thought of me running in 2012," said Corbett, who described the feedback as positive without committing herself.

If and when Corbett runs for Congress, she won't be able to count on her base in San Leandro. As a result of redistricting, the city has been moved into the district currently represented by Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Oakland).