Matsui's widow planning to run

[Freddie Stubbs]

Advisers urge her to head off potential rivals to replace her husband in Congress.
By Steve Gibson and Sam Stanton -- Bee Staff Writers
Published 2:15 am PST Monday, January 10, 2005

Moving to fend off any potential competition, Doris Matsui began calling Sacramento friends and political figures Sunday to tell them she plans to run for the seat her husband held for 26 years before he died Jan. 1.

Matsui, 60, widow of Rep. Robert Matsui, D-Sacramento, plans to make a formal announcement early this week, said numerous people who spoke to her Sunday, one day after her husband was buried.

She had hoped to wait longer before making the move, but political advisers convinced her that she needed to make it clear she plans to run before any other candidates emerge.

"She let me know that she was going to run," said Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena. "She wanted to put it off for a while, but unfortunately there are some people out there who are rustling the bushes, trying to see if they should run. That required her to go a little sooner than she would have preferred."

more: http://www.sacbee.com/content/politics/story/11997691p-12868063c.html

[realFedUp]

1. Good idea...n/t

[ailsagirl]

2. I just read this and am very glad.

What better way to carry on her husband's legacy?? He was the best, loaded with integrity, and a very decent man. We will miss him.

[davidinalameda]

3. that should clear the field

how many Asian-American women are in Congress?

I can't think of any

[Freddie Stubbs]

4. The only recent one died a little over two years ago

http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=M000797

[davidinalameda]

5. can't believe I forgot about her

she's fantastic!

[Garbo 2004]

6. Thus ensuring a more progressive Dem likely won't buck the party & run. nt

[genius]

7. I hope she's a liberal.

[LeftyMom]

8. She's a lobbyist

:(