If he had to make the decision now, Danny Gilmore said, he probably wouldn't run again. Such is the frustration felt by the first-term Republican assemblyman for the 30th District because of the partisanship and gridlock in Sacramento.

"The filing deadline for running for re-election is not until March of 2010. Candidly, I would probably not seek re-election if I had to make that decision today," Gilmore said in a written statement last week. "I am still discussing this important decision with my family and members of the community ..."

Gilmore didn't return phone calls this week seeking comment. Staffers said that, at least for now, he isn't going beyond the written statement.

But it's no secret that Gilmore is unhappy with Sacramento's hardball politics and lawmakers' failure to reach a water deal.

In an interview with The Sentinel a few weeks ago, Gilmore said he's being driven "absolutely insane" by water negotiations that have dragged on for weeks.

"We just can't seem to come together up there to address critical needs for California," said the longtime Hanford resident, adding, "I've never been this frustrated in my life, to see how this system works."

If Gilmore does pull out, it would leave the door wide open for two people who are already in the race as Democrats: Pete Parra and Fran Florez (Matt Robbins, political director of the California Republican Party, said it's premature to talk about possible Republican candidates because Gilmore hasn't made a final decision).

Parra vs. Florez is red meat for political junkies, who relish another round in the legendary Parra-Florez political family feud that has gone on for years. Parra, the father of former Hanford Assemblywoman Nicole Parra, used to be a Kern County supervisor until he was unseated by Michael Rubio, a Dean Florez staff member.

Fran Florez, mother of Dean Florez and a former Shafter city councilwoman, lost to Gilmore in 2008 by a razor-thin margin in the Assembly race.

Incidentally, Rubio is running to replace Dean Florez in the 16th state Senate district.

Observers say the Florez-Parra match-up could lead to a greater focus on Kings County. Both candidates are likely to branch out from their home bases in Kern County to court Kings County voters, said Mark Trezza, a political science instructor at Fresno City College.

"I would think they'd be fighting for some local voters pretty hard," Trezza said.

As for Gilmore, commentators said that its rare for a first-term legislator not to run again.

David Provost, a professor emeritus of political science at California State University, Fresno, said he was surprised at how frustrated Gilmore is.

"It's been evident for years ... that the two sides are locked into an ideological battle," he said of the two major parties. However, Provost said he can understand how Gilmore would be discouraged about being in the minority party.

"I can understand the frustration ... one of 80 people in California who can cast a vote in the Assembly, and then not be able to get things done," Trezza said.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2432.

(Oc. 30, 2009)