Assemblyman Jim Beall, Jr. Wants Senate Seat

Assemblyman Jim Beall, Jr., D-San Jose, has announced he will seek the 11th Senate District in the June 2012 primary election.

Beall represents Assembly District 24, which stretches from the hills of San Jose's Berryessa district through Willow Glen and West San Jose, and south to the neighborhoods of Santa Teresa. It also encompasses Saratoga, Campbell, and portions of Santa Clara and Los Gatos.

Beall was born and raised in San Jose, attended Bellarmine College Preparatory and San Jose State University before landing a job with the Los Gatos planning department. His family moved to Los Gatos in the 1930s. He said his 87-year-old father still roots for the  , where he served as co-captain of the class of '41.

Beall served three terms on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors and 14 years on the San Jose City Council. He was elected to serve on the state Assembly in 2006.

The seat is currently occupied by Senator Joe Simitian.