The Washington Post is reporting that Ellen Tauscher is in line for a top post at the State Department, most likely for the undersecretary for arms control and nonproliferation slot.
If that is true, that will open up an opportunity to replace a moderate member of Congress with a progressive more representative of this district.
I have lived in this district for a long time and I am grateful that Ellen took out the right wing relic Bill Baker by spending much of her own money. However, the 2002 redistricting (plus demographic changes) have made this district much more liberal - we voted for Obama 65-33, and she fits in much more with Lamorinda and Walnut Creek, rather than the more more diverse areas of Contra Costa County.
I am sure many candidates would try for this seat, but I would pick two candidates as front runners: Assemblyman Tom Torlakson and State Senator Mark DeSaulnier.
Torlakson is currently running for State Superintendent of Schools, but I could easily see him run for this seat, if it is open.
I suggest that progressives weigh in on these two candidates (or others) as early support will be critical if this seat really becomes open.
Update: It is the lead story on the local TV news (KTVU).