Walnut Creek Mayor "Seriously Considering" Run For George Miller's Congressional Seat

Walnut Creek Mayor Kristina Lawson says she is "seriously considering" entering the race for the soon-to-be vacant seat in the 11th congressional district.

Lawson told Patch she will decide in the near future if she'll seek the congressional seat now held by Rep. George Miller (D-Concord).

Miller announced Monday he will not seek re-election after serving 40 years in Congress.

State Sen. Mark DeSaulnier (D-Concord) has announced he will run for Miller's seat.

Lawson said her primary factor for consideration is the effect being a congresswoman would have on her two children, ages 9 and 4.

Lawson deferred all other questions on campaign strategy and her reasons for wanting to run until after she's made a decision.

"It's too early to speculate on any of this," she said.

Lawson is up for re-election on the Walnut Creek City Council.

She said if she doesn't run for Congress or doesn't place in the top two positions in the June primary, she would most likely run for council again in the November election.

If she is one of the two congressional candidates on the November ballot, then she would not seek re-election.

Lawson was selected last month by her fellow council members to serve as mayor for 2014. She will complete that obligation whether she runs for Congress or not.