Sounds horrid to me. Elect someone who doesn't want to serve? It won't happen. Someone will mount a viable write-in campaign.
He has only himself to blame for a stunt like this. What a shameful way to end a formerly distinguished 20-year tenure in Congress. Re-elect him and let him resign (and perhaps the state of CA can send him the bill for the $$ it will cost to have that special election on behalf of the taxpayers).