D.A. Steve Cooley Announces He Won't Run for 4th Term

Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley finally admitted Tuesday that he will not seek a fourth term in 2012. Cooley cites the primary reason for opting out of an upcoming race as his age--"he will be 65 when he completes his term," notes the Daily News, and has worked nearly 40 years as a prosecutor.

Cooley's announcement ends months of speculation, much of which began swirling in late 2010, as the recount of the ballots in the Republican's race against his Democratic rival Kamala Harris for California Attorney General dragged on weeks after Election Day.

Though there have been some public bids already for Cooley's job, including by Deputy D.A. Danette Meyers, Cooley offered his endorsement yesterday for his top deputy, Jacquelyn Lacey of Porter Ranch. Cooley calls Lacey a "rising star." Both Lacey and Meyers are African American women, who, if either is elected, would be the the first woman and the first minority to have the post of L.A. County's D.A.