While the Blue Dog considers himself more of a policy guy than a hardcore observer of candidate maneuverings, he isn’t above sharing some grist for the Capitol rumor mill when it lands on his plate.
A well-placed source in the building offers this unsubstantiated scoop:
“Ex-Mod Squad Assemblymember Joe Canciamilla is preparing to run for the Congressional seat being vacated by Ellen Tauscher after she goes to the Obama Administration. He has $$$ in the bank and is being supported by a group of Silicon Valley types who supposedly will provide funding.
“Tom Torlakson has said that he will not enter the race and will instead be sticking with his run for Superintendent of Public Instruction. He has endorsed current State Senator Mark DeSaulnier for the seat, so there could be an expensive primary shootout between Canciamilla and DeSaulnier.”
FYI – regardless if Canciamilla has “money in the bank” whoever told you this is mistaken. A candidate for Federal office cannot transfer or spend non-federal funds to a Federal Election account. If Canciamilla is raising money for a Federal Election without forming an exploratory committee, he is in violation of Federal Campaign Finance Law.