Ellen Tauscher

Democratic Rep. Ellen O. Tauscher confirmed just yesterday that she has been offered a high State Department post in the Obama administration — and prospective candidates already are stepping in or taking themselves out of contention to succeed her in California’s 10th District seat.  

State Assemblyman Tom Torlakson will not be a candidate for the pending special election in the 10th District, which includes cities such as Fairfield, Antioch, Livermore and part of Concord in the East Bay suburbs of San Francisco, according to one local party official.  

Chuck Carpenter, the Democratic Party chairman in Contra Costa County — which includes most of the 10th District’s population — told CQ Politics Thursday that Torlakson told him he would remain in the race he has already launched for state superintendent of public instruction, which would put him in charge of California’s school system.  

Torlakson could not immediately be reached directly for comment.