Former Rep. Richard Pombo (R-California), who made Indian issues a priority in his final years in Congress, is planning a return to Capitol Hill.

Pombo will seek the Republican nomination for California's 19th District. He used to represent the 11th District before losing the seat to Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-California).

As former chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, Pombo helped defeat anti-Indian riders in the annual Interior appropriations bills. He gained the support of tribes across the nation and was among the top recipients of tribal campaign contributions.

In his last year in Congress, Pombo tried to address off-reservation gaming through a bill to amend the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The measure was controversial and failed in a vote on the House floor.

Pombo was linked to the Jack Abramoff scandal and donated the money he received from Abramoff's clients to a Boys and Girls Club on the Red Lake Nation in Minnesota.

Get the Story:
Feisty Pombo returns to politics (The Contra Costa Times 1/8)

An Opinion:
Editorial: Defining his terms (The Stockton Record 1/8)