Assemblyman Jim Wood announces he won’t run for reelection

Citing family matters, Assemblyman Jim Wood announced Friday he will not seek reelection in 2024 for what would have been his sixth and final term in the state Legislature.

The Healdsburg Democrat and chair of the powerful Assembly Health Committee said in a statement his mother has been in declining health and he wants to contribute to her “increasingly higher level of care.”

“Many in public office say they are leaving for personal or family reasons, but that is very real for me,” said Wood, a dentist and former Healdsburg mayor.

First elected to the Assembly in 2014, his 2nd District includes the northern half of Sonoma County, plus Mendocino, Humboldt, Trinity and Del Norte counties.

California legislators are limited to maximum of 12 years in office between the Assembly and Senate. Wood’s fifth two-year term goes through December 2024.

“Deciding not to run for my final term was one of the most difficult decisions I have had to make in many years,” Wood said in a statement. “I can make a case to continue my work, but I believe now is the right time for me to change my focus.”

Wood has faced little competition at the ballot box — in the November 2022 election he won 68% of the vote over Republican challenger, Charlotte Svolos of Crescent City.

In his announcement, Wood noted he represented a population small for its large region. This, he said, showed solutions cannot be “one-size-fits-all” for a state as large as California.

Chairman of the Assembly Health Committee since 2016, Wood also served on committees for budget, natural resources, insurance, agriculture and water, and parks and wildlife.

On Friday, he touted his advocacy for, among other things, agriculture, the cannabis industry and universal access to broadband, clean water and air.

Wood is expected to be remembered as one of California’s most “distinguished legislators,” Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, D-Salinas, said in a statement.

“His love for this state knows no bounds, and he’s committed a lifetime to ensuring future generations can realize the California Dream,” Rivas said. “I thank Jim on behalf of the entire Caucus, for all his achievements and dedication, and I’m also proud to call him a dear friend and trusted colleague.”

Check back for updates on this developing story.

You can reach Staff Writer Colin Atagi at colin.atagi@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @colin_atagi