Keene announces for GOP clash

In what promises to be a fascinating contest, termed-out Chico-based District 3 Assemblyman Rick Keene (pictured) on Friday (Jan. 25) announced on the steps of the City Council building what every local political junkie already knew: that he was running for Sam Aanestad’s District 4 seat in the state Senate.

His opponent in the June 2010 primary will be fellow Republican and termed-out District 2 Assemblyman Doug LaMalfa, of Richvale, who has done everything but make his candidacy official.

The contest promises to be a donnybrook. Because of a strong Republican registration advantage in the district, whoever wins will be a shoo-in in the November general election.