The Orinda councilman will seek election in the Democratic-leaning Assembly District 16, the East Bay district from which Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan, D-Alamo, will be termed out.

Glazer cast himself as a moderate in a prepared statement, criticizing a legislative process he said is captive to "the extremes of both political parties."

Glazer has been an unpaid adviser to Brown since managing Brown's 2010 gubernatorial campaign. The 55-year-old Democrat raised money for Proposition 30, Brown's November ballot measure to raise taxes, and was an adviser to the California Chamber of Commerce's political action committee on legislative races in the 2012 election cycle. He was appointed by Brown to the California State University Board of Trustees.

District 16 includes parts of Contra Costa and Alameda Counties. The Contra Costa Times reported earlier this month that a Walnut Creek councilwoman and Dublin mayor are among other potential candidates.

As a political consultant, Glazer has managed ballot measures throughout the country for environmental causes and has helped developers overcome public opposition to their projects.

Glazer previously worked for Gray Davis, who would later become governor, when Davis was in the Legislature, and for Rose Bird, the controversial chief justice. Glazer grew up in Land Park.

"I want to continue the momentum for responsible fiscal management while enhancing support of our local schools and state universities," Glazer said in the prepared statement. "We need to eliminate roadblocks to economic revitalization and job creation and improve efforts to protect and enhance our environment."