CHOI WON’T RUN FOR ASSEMBLY - IWN 1/24/08
City Council member Steven Choi on Tuesday announced his withdrawal from the race for the 71st state Assembly District.
Choi said he dropped out of the race to focus on “significant” political issues in the city, and will instead seek a second four-year term on the City Council in November.
Together with council member Christina Shea, Choi filed suit last month against the Great Park Corp., which is overseeing the development of the Orange County Great Park.
In the suit, Choi and Shea question whether a nationwide search for a new Great Park CEO actually took place, and allege that the top two candidates had ties to Great Park Board Chairman Larry Agran, who is also a member of the CEO search committee. Both of those candidates declined the job last year, and the search committee has been reconvened.
Choi and Shea argue that as Great Park board members, they should have full access to information on the ongoing search for a CEO, including names and resumes. The search committee has argued that personnel matters must be kept confidential.
Choi entered the Assembly race last April, hoping to replace Assemblyman Todd Spitzer. He said his goal was to help control state spending and stimulate international trade with Pacific Rim countries.