From Sanjiv Handa: 

Oakland City Attorney John Russo is refusing to comment on speculation that he intends to resign. Rumors began circulating late Sunday and have reached a point where political insiders are abuzz about next steps as if Russo's resignation is imminent.

"No matter what I say, people at City Hall will say whatever suits them," Russo told East Bay News Service late Tuesday evening,  

Russo said he has not yet made a decision about running for re-election in two years, when his current term expires.

"If I am on the ballot in 2012, it will be for re-election as City Attorney," Russo said.  "I have not yet made a final decision on that."

Russo also adamantly denied that he intends to run for the 16th District seat in the State Assembly. "I am not running for Assembly in 2012," he said. "I will never run for Assembly again. That is unconditional."

Russo was a candidate for Assembly in the June 2008 Democratic Party primary, but lost to incumbent Assemblyman Sandre Swanson, a close ally of Oakland Mayor Jean Quan. Swanson is ineligible to run for another two-year stint because of California's term limits. The maximum lifetime tenure is limited to six years for all Assembly seats, a total of three two-year terms.

Russo became Oakland's first elected city attorney in September 2000 after he defeated long-term appointee Jayne Williams. Prior to that, he was the Dist. 2 Council member, beginning in January 1995. He succeeded Mary Moore, who served more than 17 years.

About East Bay News Service (Sanjiv Handa)

Sanjiv Handa is Editor & Publisher, East Bay News Service, and a long-time observer of Oakland city government and politics.