DA Cooley won’t run for re-election

(From the AP) Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley says he won’t seek re-election in 2012 and instead will support his top deputy for in her run for the office. Cooley told the Los Angeles Times Tuesday that many of his law enforcement supporters encouraged him to run again, but he decided to help Chief Deputy Dist. Atty. Jacquelyn Lacey in her bid to become the first African-American and first woman to hold the post.

Cooley, a Republican, narrowly lost a bid to become state attorney general last year. He was first elected district attorney in 2000, beating incumbent Gil Garcetti for the non-partisan post.

Other prosecutors who expressed interest in running include Alan Jackson, who prosecuted Phil Spector, Danette Meyers, Bobby Grace, and Mario Trujillo who heads the district attorney’s Bellflower office.