California political stars may shine with Obama

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 11/6/8 | Phillip Matier, Andrew Ross

[SmithL]

Keep your eyes open - the Barack Obama campaign has given rise to a constellation of rising stars here in California. Former state Controller and eBay millionaire Steve Westly, San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris and fast-rising lawyer Tony West were all on board the Obama bandwagon early and big.

Westly has already made one dash for the governor's office, and he tells us he is "seriously exploring" another gubernatorial run in 2010. (That is, if Sen. Dianne Feinstein doesn't run.) Other top Dems predict Westly might be in line to be Obama's Treasury secretary - although he insists to us that he is "very happy in California."

Harris, who walked the snowbound precincts of Iowa for Obama and served as his California campaign co-chair, is already gearing up to run for state attorney general - assuming, of course, that current A.G. Jerry Brown runs for governor.

If that doesn't pan out, Harris may be tapped for an upper-level position in Obama's Justice Department.

But whatever Harris' final decision, you can bet Obama will be here to help her. Soon after he was elected to the U.S. Senate, Obama hosted a fundraiser for Harris at Bimbo's on Broadway to help retire her 2004 campaign debt.

Another early Obama supporter on the move is West, who happens to be married to Harris' sister, Maya.

West worked on the mayoral campaign of Ron Dellums but was smart enough to decline a post in his administration. He's eyeing a possible run for Alameda County district attorney or even Oakland mayor.

He could have other options as well. West served as an aide to former Attorney General Janet Reno, and he could be a candidate for U.S. attorney in San Francisco if Republican Joe Russoniello exits.