Bergeson’s Bid to Governor for Treasurer Job Disclosed

Sen. Marian Bergeson (R-Newport Beach), believed to be a top contender for the state treasurer’s job left vacant by the Aug. 4 death of Jesse Unruh, wrote to Gov. George Deukmejian last week to seek the appointment, her office disclosed Thursday.

Although she has been mentioned for weeks as a candidate for the job, it had not been known until a copy of the letter was released on Thursday that Bergeson had asked to be considered.

In the letter, dated Sept. 17, Bergeson told the governor that “political considerations make a strong argument for my appointment.” She also reminded that some of her backers already had lobbied the governor on her behalf and had encouraged Bergeson “to contact you to express my interest.”

Bergeson was on a business trip Thursday and unavailable for comment, an aide said.

Deukmejian said in an interview Wednesday that he would name the new state treasurer in October. The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Legislature.

The governor said he had narrowed his list to “about six” Republican candidates and that it included a woman.

However, U.S. Rep. Dan Lungren (R-Long Beach), who has close political ties to the governor, is generally considered the front-runner.

Others frequently mentioned as contenders are Senate Republican leader Ken Maddy of Fresno; Sens. William Campbell (R-Hacienda Heights), Robert G. Beverly (R-Manhattan Beach) and John Seymour (R-Anaheim), and Tom Stickel, a San Diego financier and Deukmejian political ally.

In her letter, Bergeson told the governor that she would run for election to the statewide post in 1990 if he appointed her this year. She also said she believed that her Senate seat would continue “to rank in the Republican column” if she relinquished it to assume the treasurer’s job.

Bergeson was elected to the Assembly in 1978 and served three terms before being elected to the Senate in 1984. She has served on budget committees of both houses and is chairman of the Senate Local Government Committee. She said that experience qualified her to be state treasurer.

“My legislative record reflects a conservative but pragmatic approach to the state’s issues,” Bergeson said in her letter. “I have a successful track record that reflects my ability to work effectively with both parties.”

Donna L. Lucas, a spokeswoman for the governor, said it is Deukmejian’s policy not to publicly discuss specific names or issues when deciding on an appointment.

However, she said the governor would not conduct any interviews with any contenders until he completes a review of all the bills passed in this year’s session of the Legislature that are still awaiting his signature.