BUENA PARK : Chessen to Run for State Senate Seat

City Councilwoman Donna L. Chessen said Wednesday she will begin a run for the state Senate seat from the 34th District by entering the June 7 Democratic primary election.

“I believe I’ve gone as far as I can as a city councilwoman in trying to convince Sacramento to give local government the essential tools and support to deliver essential services,” said Chessen, who has served on the council for nine years. “I believe now is the time to go to Sacramento to make these effective changes.”

Chessen, 56, said she will file nominating papers by the March 11 deadline and will not seek reelection to her council seat. Her term on that panel expires in November.

As a result of redistricting, the 34th District now includes nearly all of central Orange County, including parts of Buena Park, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Anaheim, Stanton, Westminster, La Palma, Orange, Fountain Valley and Fullerton.

Chessen’s only declared opponent so far is Wayman L. Nelson, a health care consultant from Santa Ana who has already turned in nominating papers, according to the county Registrar of Voters.

State Sen. Rob Hurtt (R-Garden Grove), has said he will seek the Republican nomination from the 34th District. Hurtt currently represents the 32nd District, but the area has been re-designated as a result of reapportionment.

Republican Frank L. Adomitis of Anaheim, a certified public accountant who has already submitted nominating papers, will also run in the Republican primary. Another potential candidate is Libertarian Thomas E. Reimer, an engineer from Anaheim.

Since she was elected to the council in 1985, Chessen said she has faced the challenge of balancing the city’s shrinking budget.

“I’ve learned how to make tough decisions . . . that government can do the same for less while still providing quality service,” she said.

Chessen, who works as an office manager in her husband’s chiropractic office, has hired campaign consultant Larry Sheingold Associates of Sacramento as well as a fund-raising team of Robert Kaplan Co. of Los Angeles.

Last December, Chessen held a fund-raiser that netted $17,000. But Chessen said she needs to raise between $500,000 and $700,000 to run for the Senate. In comparison, Chessen said she raised about $37,000 for her last City Council campaign.

Chessen is a 20-year resident of the city.