During his final speech last month on free culture, a topic that has garnered him national attention over the last decade, Stanford Law Prof. Lawrence Lessig announced that he would shift his focus to fighting political corruption.

Now, Lessig just might take the issue directly to Congress himself.

Lessig is on the verge of running for a seat in the House of Representatives left vacant by the death of Rep. Tom Lantos (D-Calif.) in the state’s 12th Congressional District.

The professor plans to announce his decision about a potential run by about Mar. 1. A special election will be held to fill the seat on April 8.

“For someone who is studying corruption to go to the seat of power to change things would be extraordinary,” said Harvard Law Prof. John Palfrey, who is organizing an Internet-based “Draft Lessig” movement urging the professor to run.

Regardless of whether or not he decides to run, Lessig has made it clear that he is committed to changing Congress in his fight against political corruption.

“What I’ve outlined is a strategy that, through a couple of election cycles, will build a number of candidates that would commit to three simple propositions that would radically change how Congress works,” Lessig told The Daily.

Lessig’s three central reforms would ban earmarks, prohibit politicians from accepting money from lobbyists and support public financing of campaigns.

“We can agree to disagree about the Iraq war, but these three issues need to be resolved,” Lessig said. “The bipartisan commitment [to the three propositions] could commit enough congressmen to make a difference.”

Internet blogs have recently been abuzz about Lessig’s possible candidacy. Those telling him not to run have said that joining a body of 435 representatives mired in the partisan politics of Washington would be a waste of Lessig’s famed intellect. Some supporters say he could better use his time by influencing presidential candidates and perhaps securing a federal judgeship.

But Lessig said the federal bench is the wrong place for his crusade against corruption.

“I certainly think the federal judiciary is the wrong place to produce change,” Lessig said.

Lessig is also skeptical of the ability of the President alone to create change.

“One of the things I’ve been focusing on is the limited possibility of change through presidents,” Lessig said. “I’ve been a vocal supporter of Obama, and I certainly hope he is president. But if he is president, he can’t make these changes alone; he needs support from people who believe in his values.”

Should Lessig decide to run, his most formidable opponent would be California State Senator Jackie Speier (D-San Francisco, San Mateo), who is currently favored to win the seat. Speier was endorsed by Rep. Lantos before his death and has received the backing of Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.).

Although he does not underestimate the possibility of a difficult race against Speier, Lessig said he is confident of his chances.

“It’s a very difficult challenge, and I do think it’s possible,” Lessig said. “I voted for her for state senator. One of the things I’m reviewing is how feasible it is.”

Lessig cited his approach to money and his technological expertise as the two factors that will set him apart from Speier.

“She has a different ethic. She accepts money from the interests she regulates,” Lessig said, referring to reports that Speier, who chairs the Senate’s Insurance Committee, received $250,000 from insurance companies.

“That’s exactly the kind of practice that we need to change,” Lessig said.

Speier’s campaign vigorously denied allegations that the funding influenced the state senator’s decision-making.

“This is a woman who is an independent voice,” said Alex Tourk, a spokesman for Speier. "We think the voters are smart enough and educated enough to understand that.”

Lessig believes that his history of involvement with technology would be an important issue in an election, especially because the 12th Congressional District includes Silicon Valley.

“Speier would be a Silicon Valley representative, so it is extraordinarily important that she actually knows about technology,” Lessig said. “I don’t think of myself as a geek, more a geek wannabe, but I have spent 10 years on technology and know the topic intimately. I really do know what conditions are needed for Silicon Valley to flourish.”

As Lessig makes his decision, he is carefully weighing the support he has received over the Internet as well as the opinions of some of his supporters that he should not run.

Palfrey’s “Draft Lessig” efforts include a Web site, a wiki and a Facebook group with over 3,000 members. On Monday the “Draft Lessig” group began accepting campaign donations through ActBlue, an online campaign donation site.

Within two days Lessig had more than twice the number of donors on the site of any other Democratic rival.

“I’ve been overwhelmed by the response,” Palfrey said. “We are pleasantly surprised by the number of people in his district and people nationally and internationally that support him.”