Brown wants third term as Calif. governor

SACRAMENTO, March 2 (UPI) -- California Attorney General Jerry Brown announced Tuesday he will seek the Democratic nomination for governor, pledging to end partisanship in Sacramento.

"The political breakdown in Sacramento is threatening jobs, our schools and the state's credit rating, which is the worst in the country," Brown said in an online video message and release. "Our state is in serious trouble and the next governor must have the preparation, the knowledge and the know-how to get California working again. That is what I offer and that's why I'm declaring my candidacy for governor."

Brown, 71, who served two terms as mayor of Oakland before being elected attorney general four years ago, was California's governor from 1975 to 1983.

"When I was governor, California added 1.9 million new jobs in eight years," Brown said in a news release. "I know we can do it again and be the leader in renewable energy, good jobs and quality schools."

If elected, Brown pledged to be guided by three "governing principles."

"First, I'll tell you the truth. ... You deserve the truth and that's what you'll get from me," Brown said. "Second, in this time of recession when people are financially strapped, there will be no new taxes unless you the people vote for them. Third, we have to downsize state government from Sacramento and return decisions and authority to the cities, to the counties and to local schools."

Brown enters the race already outpolling Republican gubernatorial hopefuls Meg Whitman and Steve Poizner, CNN reported.

Brown earned the nickname "Governor Moonbeam" for some of his out-of-the-box thinking, including alternative energy practices and proposing buying a satellite for state communications. Brown said he was just ahead of the curve.