Governor Appoints New Communications Director

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is installing a Republican campaign and public relations strategist as his new communications director, part of a broader staff shake-up.

Adam Mendelsohn will succeed Rob Stutzman, an influential advisor who will leave government to open a private political consulting business and to work on Schwarzenegger’s reelection.

Mendelsohn attended meetings in the governor’s office Monday. His appointment is to be officially announced today.

Mendelsohn comes from the DCI Group, a Washington, D.C.-based lobbying and public affairs firm. He was press secretary to Bruce McPherson, then a Republican state senator, in McPherson’s losing bid for the lieutenant governor’s seat in 2002. McPherson is now secretary of state.

Mendelsohn also worked for Republican Matt Fong, who lost a U.S. Senate bid to Barbara Boxer in 1998.

Mendelsohn’s appointment came with the recommendation of First Lady Maria Shriver, who consulted friends and contacts in the media about the communications director position, according to members of the Schwarzenegger administration who spoke on condition of anonymity because the appointment had not been formally announced.

In recent weeks, Schwarzenegger has replaced his chief of staff and cabinet secretary, while appointing an executive with an insurance trade association to a new policy position.