(March 21, 2007, initial post 9:15 a.m.) -- LBReport.com has learned with considerable confidence that Vice Mayor/1st district Councilwoman Bonnie Lowenthal is expected to seek the 54th district Assembly seat currently held by Assemblywoman Betty Karnette (D., LB).
Incumbent Dem Karnette is "termed out" and can't seek reelection in 2008. 7th district Councilwoman Tonia Reyes Uranga is publicly pursuing the same Assembly seat on the Democrat side.
Councilman Patrick O'Donnell, another Dem who took initial steps to pursue the Assembly seat, has decided not to seek the state office.
LBReport.com separately expects that former Vice Mayor/Councilman Frank Colonna, who lost to Bob Foster for Mayor in 2006, will likely seek the 54th district Assembly seat on the Republican side.