Central Coast Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee has filed a statement of intent to run in State Senate District 15 in 2012.

The seat is currently held by moderate state Sen. Abel Maldonado (R-Santa Maria), who would be termed out that year.

Blakeslee (R-San Luis Obispo) was first elected to the Assembly in 2004 and is termed out in two years. He was not immediately available for comment Friday.

Before winning elected office, Blakeslee headed a family business in San Luis Obispo and previously did a stint as a research scientist in Texas for Exxon.

The 15th State Senate District is thought to be one of the more moderate ones in California, though redistricting after the 2010 U.S. Census may change that in 2012.

No Democrats opposed Maldonado in the recent general election, and outgoing Sen. President Pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) said that's largely because Maldonado often votes with Democrats on critical issues such as the state budget.

So far, no Democrats have filed paperwork to run for that seat in 2012 or Blakeslee's own 33rd Assembly District seat in 2010.

Many Republicans have said Maldonado, who spoke at this year's Republican National Convention, is a possible candidate for future higher office in California.