Frommer drops out

Assemblyman Dario Frommer, D-Glendale, has dropped out of the race for state controller. Frommer was one of three announced Democratic candidates for the office, including state Sen. Joe Dunn, D-Garden Grove, and Board of Equalization member John Chiang. Here’s what Frommer had to say: For the past few months, I’ve been exploring a race for State Controller. I’ve been honored and humbled by the support and encouragement I’ve received from colleagues, friends, and family and from organized labor, law enforcement, firefighters, nurses, homecare workers and activists. Yet, today I have decided not to make the race, and I am doing so for one simple reason: my family. Frommer currently serves as Assembly Majority Leader and said he “look[s] forward to completing my term and to assisting Speaker Nunez as his Majority Leader as we begin this year’s budget negotiations.” That leaves Chiang and Dunn as the only two Democratic candidates in the race. As of the latest filing deadline, Chiang had $808,802.76 cash on hand and Dunn had $945,000. Interestingly, Frommer had out raised both—with $978,266.52 cash on hand. On the Republican side, Sen. Abel Maldonado, R-Santa Maria, and former Assemblyman Tony Strickland are competing for the nomination.