Anthony Portantino, Jacque Robinson Square Off

Former Assemblyman Anthony J. Portantino and Pasadena Vice Mayor Jacque Robinson announced this week plans to run for State Sen. Carol Liu’s seat, when she terms out of office in 2016.

“Since I left office, so many folks have been coming up to me saying, ‘We want you back in office. How can we help?'” Portantino told the La Canada Valley Sun. “Frankly, I think that’s why so many people in the foothills are supporting me…. I share the same priorities they do.”

“Representing Pasadena has been one of the greatest honors of my life and I look forward to bringing that same sense of pride and commitment to this election and service to the people of the 25th Senate District,” Robinson said.

The 25th Senate district, established during last year’s redistricting, includes La Cañada Flintridge, Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena.

Robinson, who filed papers on Monday to open a campaign committee, said there’s a gender gap in Sacramento and considers being a woman an asset.

Portantino, who served in the State Assembly from Dec. 6, 2006 to Nov. 30, 2012, recently told the La Canada Valley Sun that he is getting back into politics because the citizens in his district want him to get more transparency in government and funding for education.

A fundraising party was held Sunday at the home of Mary and Bill Urquhart and, as of Dec. 12, 31, 2012, an Anthony Portantino for Senate 2016 election committee has already received $476,366, the newspaper reported.

Both Robinson and Portantino will run as candidates for the Democratic Party. Robinson told Pasadena Now that she will run for re-election to the Pasadena City Council on March 2015.