State schools chief says he won’t run for governor

State Supt. of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell, a Democrat who had been flirting with a run for governor, says he has opted not to join the race.

O'Connell, who is termed out of his current office this year, instead plans to take a break from politics for now. His gubernatorial ambitions had earlier been given a boost by a $1-million campaign contribution from Netflix Chief Executive Reed Hastings, who has worked with O'Connell on various education issues.

"After taking a good look at it, the stars just weren't aligned this time," Rick Miller, an advisor to O'Connell, said today.

—Evan Halper in Sacramento