Deukmejian Delays Nominee Decision for New Treasurer

Gov. George Deukmejian, preparing for a two-week trade trip to Australia and Asia beginning Friday, has decided to delay nominating a new state treasurer until his return, a spokesman said Wednesday.

The Republican governor had set this week as a tentative deadline for the announcement, telling reporters that it is important to quickly fill the post, which has remained vacant for nearly a year since the death of Treasurer Jesse M. Unruh on Aug. 4.

But Kevin Brett, Deukmejian’s press secretary, said the governor “has not made a decision” among the 20 candidates being considered for the post. “It was not a conscious decision to delay but the fact that he takes this appointment seriously,” Brett said.

Deukmejian had named Rep. Daniel E. Lungren (R-Long Beach) to the post last November, but the Democratic-dominated Senate denied him confirmation in a bitter, partisan battle. Brett said the first rejection has made the governor more cautious.

Deukmejian’s advisers reportedly have been pushing for a quick decision on Unruh’s replacement, hoping to anoint a Republican successor who can use the advantage of the most time possible in office to build a political base. Aside from Deukmejian, Republicans hold no other statewide constitutional offices in California.

Cautioning the Governor

However, top Republicans in the Legislature have been cautioning the governor to take his time in hopes that he might be persuaded to name someone from their own ranks. Deukmejian in recent days has let it be known that it will be difficult to appoint any Republican legislator who is facing reelection in November for fear that it would provide political ammunition to the appointee’s Democratic rival.

That appeared to all but eliminate members of the Assembly and Senate who are said to be under consideration. The Republican leaders, however, told the governor that the problem would be eliminated if he waits until after the November election to make his choice.

Brett downplayed speculation that the decision would be delayed that long. But he conceded that waiting would make little difference since the Legislature is unlikely to take up the appointment in the four weeks remaining after it returns from its July recess.

Although Deukmejian has not officially pared down his list, Republican sources say the likely candidates are Board of Equalization member Ernest J. Dronenburg Jr., San Diego banker Tom Stickel, former U.S. Treasurer Angela M. Buchanan, Los Angeles County Supervisor Pete Schabarum and Orange County Supervisor Gaddi Vasquez. Another prominent candidate, Sen. Ken Maddy (R-Fresno), who was Deukmejian’s second choice to Lungren, took himself out of the running.