Governor Needs Legislature’s Backing on Unruh Successor

By deed and legend, his shoes seem too big for any one person to fill. But his office is one of the choicest in government, so even as life slipped away from him Tuesday, the question was whispered: Who will replace Jesse Unruh?

The succession process grants Gov. George Deukmejian, a Republican, the right to name a replacement state treasurer. But the law also allows either house of the Legislature--and both are controlled by Democrats--to veto the selection by simple majority vote.

Unruh, one of the most prominent Democrats in the West, won reelection in November without serious challenge. But word spread rapidly about the gravity of his illness, and inevitably speculation about possible successors ensued.

Much of it involves a handful of Republican state legislators. The thinking is that a legislator would be most likely to have the Republican credentials the governor is believed to favor, while at the same time commanding enough respect among Democrats in the Legislature to avoid a veto.

Three names in particular are repeatedly mentioned--Senate GOP Leader Ken Maddy of Fresno and Sens. Bob Beverly of Manhattan Beach and Bill Campbell of Hacienda Heights.

“If he wants to groom someone to run the state in the future, he may go for Maddy,” said one influential Republican, who asked not to be named. “His other choice is to pick a place-keeper or some elder-statesman.”

Maddy is an attractive politician who placed third in the GOP primary for governor in 1978, and from time to time has considered making another try for statewide office. Campbell ran unsuccessfully as the GOP nominee for state controller last year. Beverly has served two decades in the Legislature and has shown less ambition than his two colleagues for higher office. All three are well liked in the Capitol.

It may be little more than guesswork, however, to consider these and other legislators who have been named or who have named themselves.

Deukmejian has expressed respect and affection for Unruh. In the words of one associate, “They go back a long way.” And, according to sources close to Deukmejian, the governor declined to take part in deliberations over succession while Unruh was alive.

Among the non-legislators who have received publicity as possible replacements for Unruh is Tom Stickle, a Deukmejian political backer from San Diego and state Republican Party finance chairman. He is known to have expressed interest in the position, although there are initial doubts if a partisan up-and-comer such as the 37-year-old Stickle could survive Democratic majorities in the Senate or Assembly.

Even Deukmejian’s long-time friend and campaign finance director, Karl M. Samuelian, has been found on some speculative lists. In the past, Deukmejian has shown a willingness to appoint a friend to an important position, such as he did in naming his former law partner, Malcolm M. Lucas, chief justice. But Samuelian might also face legislative skepticism.

“We’re likely to see a battle royal,” said State GOP Chairman Robert Naylor. “This is a significant job with a fund-raising base that won’t be lost on Democrats in the Legislature.”

Indeed, as was his peerless skill throughout his political career, Unruh vastly increased the importance of the office he leaves behind.

Once little more than a ballot-affirmed bureaucrat, the California treasurer now is one of Wall Street’s formidable investment powerhouses. Unruh discovered what is now obvious: that the vast financial resources of the state treasury can make things happen in the investment world. And the investment world, in turn, can be a lush resource for political fund raising and power brokering.

If that was not enough, Unruh extended the institutional reach of the treasurer’s office as well through control and membership on administrative boards and commissions.

Democratic leaders have quietly passed word that they will resist if the governor nominates an overly partisan replacement.

On the other hand, many Republicans were disappointed last election when Deukmejian seemed disinterested in helping assemble the strongest possible GOP ticket. In the end, Deukmejian was the only Republican statewide official to win.

“He has now taken to heart the need to build a strong Republican bench for the future,” said one GOP leader. “I would think he’ll look to someone with a political future to build on--exactly the kind of person that the Democrats worry about.”

Not since October, 1974, has one of the seven statewide constitutional offices, as they are known, become vacant in mid-term. That was when then-Gov. Ronald Reagan picked state Sen. John L. Harmer to be lieutenant governor. Harmer replaced Ed Reinecke, who resigned after being convicted of perjury.

No statewide constitutional officer has died in office since Secretary of State Frank M. Jordan in 1970. Reagan selected career bureaucrat H.P. Sullivan as Jordan’s interim replacement.

Both of these Reagan appointments were made under a previous law which granted the governor power to fill vacancies without participation of the Legislature. The current law was passed by Democrats unhappy at Reagan’s selection of Harmer. The law has never been put to use.

Times staff writer Paul Jacobs contributed to this article.