"Former San Joaquin Valley congressman Richard Pombo will formally announce his comeback bid Tuesday, igniting a heated competition to replace retiring Rep. George Radanovich, R-Mariposa.

A one-time chairman of the House Resources Committee, Pombo is a proven fundraiser who's admired by his fellow ranchers but loathed by environmentalists. His candidacy puts the 19th Congressional District race on the national political stage. ...

Pombo is entering the race a week after Radanovich announced he will be retiring after this year because of his wife, Ethie's, illness. Ethie Radanovich was diagnosed three years ago with ovarian cancer, and in recent weeks has been in and out of the hospital.

State Sen. Jeff Denham of Atwater and former Fresno Mayor Jim Patterson already have announced their own intentions to replace Radanovich. Former California Secretary of State Bill Jones and current Fresno City Councilman Larry Westerlund are also mulling potential runs."

John Ellis and Michael Doyle report for McClatchy Newspapers January 4, 2010. [2]