California / IN BRIEF : SAN DIEGO : State Sen. Deddeh Announces Resignation

State Sen. Wadie P. Deddeh (D-Bonita) announced that he is resigning from the Legislature to resume teaching political science at Southwestern Community College in Chula Vista. Deddeh, 72, taught at Southwestern before being elected to the Assembly in 1966. He was elected to the Senate in 1981 from a district representing southern San Diego County. Deddeh’s resignation, which will become effective in two weeks, will require a special election to fill the final year of his term. Deddeh said he had planned to retire next year when his term expired but decided to retire early when Gov. Pete Wilson scheduled a November election, making it easy to tack on a primary for the 40th District. Assemblyman Steve Peace (D-Chula Vista) has announced that he will be a candidate. Deddeh and Peace are longtime political allies.