Anthony Woods delivered the graduate English address at Harvard's commencement in June 2008. Photo uploaded from Harvard Magazine at harvardmagazine.com/2009/01/anthony-woods-taking-stand

Anthony Woods, a gay West Point graduate who initiated his separation from the Army after two tours in Iraq under “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell,” may return to Northern California and run as a progressive Democratic candidate in the race to replace outgoing Rep. Ellen Tauscher, D-Alamo.

Harvard Magazine’s January-February edition features a very interesting story about Woods’ decision to leave the Army. Woods has a masters degree from Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Woods was born on Travis Air Force Base and attended high school in Fairfield, according to a spokesman. He is now considering moving back home and running for Congress.

Woods was traveling and unavailable for comment today but as soon as I have an opportunity to speak with him at length, I will file an updated post about him.

If he runs, he will be the second person to run as a self-described progressive. Adriel Hampton, a former San Francisco political reporter now working as an investigator in the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, is also running as a progressive candidate.

For those keeping score, here is the latest candidate tally:

Declared their candidacies:

Democrats - Sen. Mark DeSaulnier, D-Concord; Adriel Hampton of Dublin

Considering entering the race:

Democrats – Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan, D-Alamo; Dan Richard, former BART director, Piedmont; former Assemblyman Joe Canciamilla of Pittsburg; Lt. Governor John Garamendi of Walnut Grove

Independents – Scott Talan, former Lafayette mayor now living in Washington, D.C., area

Republicans – Contra Costa Sheriff Warren Rupf of Martinez; 2008 GOP nominee Nick Gerber of Moraga; California GOP Vice Chairman Tom Del Beccaro of Lafayette; Fairfield Councilwoman Catherine Moy, also executive director of Move America Forward; Attorney David Harmer of Dougherty Valley