Lungren announces for Calif.'s 3rd C.D.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- Former California state Attorney General Dan Lungren is hoping to make a political comeback in 2004 by running for Congress.

Lungren, the unsuccessful 1998 Republican gubernatorial nominee, has announced he will run for the open seat of retiring Republican Doug Ose.

If elected, Lungren will be treading on familiar ground. From 1980 to 1990,when he was first elected attorney general, Lungren represented southern California's Long Beach area in Congress. The 3rd district, which encompasses most of the Sacramento Valley, is located in the northern part of the state and was carried by George W. Bush in the 2000 election, 55 percent to 41 percent.

State Sen. Rico Oliver is also seeking the GOP nomination.