Brown skips third straight House bid

Democrat Charlie Brown will not be making a third-straight run in California's 4th congressional district, after accepting an appointment in the Department of Homeland Security.

The retired Air Force lieutenant colonel fell narrowly to now-Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Calif.) last year and Rep. John Doolittle (R-Calif.) before that. Many Democrats had hoped he would try again and put the seat in play.

From his e-mail to supporters:

It was one year ago that a record number of Americans stood together
to take our community, and our country in a new direction.

There is no denying the important strides we've made. But it is also
clear that very significant challenges remain, both at home and
abroad. Everyone can and must play a role to help get our country
back on track.
 
In that same spirit, I have accepted an appointment from the Obama
Administration and will soon begin a new job at the U.S. Department
of Homeland Security in Washington D.C.

Brown also used the e-mail to announce his support for several Democratic candidates, including Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.), the former lieutenant governor who was elected last week to the state's 10th district congressional seat, and Francine Busby, another multiple-time congressional candidate running in a contested primary for Rep. Brian Bilbray's (R-Calif.) seat.