NORTH COAST, Calif. – One of the candidates seeking to succeed Sen. Noreen Evans said he is suspending his campaign.
Chris Lehman of Arcata made the announcement Monday.
Lehman also said that he will endorse another candidate, Sonoma County Supervisor Mike McGuire.
Last August, Sen. Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) announced her plans to retire from public office, as Lake County News has reported.
The Second Senate District Evans represents includes all or portions of Lake, Humboldt, Mendocino, Marin, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.
Evans' decision not to seek reelection opened up the race to succeed her, with Lehman, McGuire and Novato Mayor Eric Lucan joining the field.
Lehman, who has worked as a staffer in the State Senate for 15 years, said he believes McGuire has the attributes – experience, commitment, energy and a proven track record – to ensure the North Coast is well represented in the Senate.
“Supervisor McGuire and I have similar backgrounds and beliefs. Our biggest difference is geography – he's from one community and I'm from another,” said Lehman, adding that their main difference is not a sufficient reason to wage a costly campaign against each other.
He said McGuire is committed to working with him and other community leaders to create a seven-county North Coast Agenda to ensure fair representation of each county's interests in Sacramento.
McGuire posted to his Twitter account on Monday to thank Lehman for his support.
“Huge thanks to @chris_lehman for his support of our campaign today. So honored to be working with you!” McGuire tweeted.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.