GOP Rep. Ose forms committee to consider Senate run against Boxer

Saturday December 14, 2002

SACRAMENTO (AP) Rep. Doug Ose, R-Sacramento, has formed an exploratory committee to consider running for the U.S. Senate seat held by Democrat Barbara Boxer.

``This is the first step in a long process,'' said Ray McNally, one of Ose's political consultants. ``He's putting his toe in the water.''

An exploratory committee can raise money for polling, travel and telephone calls.

Ose, a 47-year-old multimillionaire who made his money as a Sacramento-area developer, is one of several Republican members of the House of Representatives from California who are mulling a run against Boxer in 2004.

``I know Barbara is out there raising money now, and so whoever wants to run had better get moving,'' Ose said.

Still, he said he has not made up his mind about the race.

Ose's House district covers Amador, Calaveras and Alpine counties and parts of Solano and Sacramento counties.

(Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)