Governor’s 2nd Treasurer Pick Blasted in GOP

Some of Gov. George Deukmejian’s strongest supporters expressed surprise and disappointment Saturday over his latest choice for the job of state treasurer, even as the governor described Thomas W. Hayes as a “a great addition to the Republican team.”

Many of those gathered here for a statewide GOP convention said they were upset that, in Hayes, the governor chose a self-described political novice who has never been registered, let alone active, in the Republican Party.

Deukmejian, who said he anticipated that his choice of Hayes, the state auditor general, might upset party loyalists, said he was “very confident” that they will come to embrace Hayes as one of their own.

“Upon reflection, as they begin to know a little bit more about his reputation for integrity, they will recognize this is going to strengthen what is the hallmark of our Administration, namely fiscal responsibility,” Deukmejian said.

Harsh Criticism

Hayes, the state’s auditor general, missed the convention because he was on a previously scheduled trip to the Philippines. A lifelong independent, Hayes said Thursday that he intends to register as a Republican and run for election to a full term as treasurer in 1990.

One prominent party official, who asked that his name not be used, said: “It’s almost as if the governor is saying there are no Republicans in the state who are qualified, so he had to go outside the party.”

Another longtime party activist described the appointment as “the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen.”

Assemblyman Gil Ferguson, a conservative Newport Beach Republican who has been a strong Deukmejian supporter, suggested that the governor might have done just as well politically by choosing his nominee “from out of the telephone book.”

“I just don’t understand what the governor was thinking,” Ferguson said. “I’m very disappointed.”

Even Rep. Daniel E. Lungren (R-Long Beach), who was Deukmejian’s first choice to replace the late Jesse M. Unruh as treasurer but was rejected by the Legislature, said he was caught off guard by the selection.

“I was surprised too, but this has been a whole surprising process,” Lungren said.

Sen. Robert G. Beverly (R-Manhattan Beach), who was once a candidate for the appointment, said Democrats would probably be “pleased with the selection” because Hayes is not “a political animal.”

Another Republican legislator said, “The Democrats couldn’t have written the script any better.”

Many of those who did not criticize the Hayes appointment said they were holding back mainly out of deference to the two-term governor’s political acumen. “This governor does do some things that are somewhat different, but they always end up being right,” said Frank Visco of Los Angeles, the state party’s vice chairman. “I think the troops are going to respect his judgment.”

Deukmejian, in a luncheon speech to about 1,200 delegates, described Hayes as “a strong fiscal conservative” who shares the party’s “fundamental goals.” He hinted afterward that his decision not to name a legislator to the highly coveted post was influenced in part by the atmosphere created by the FBI’s investigation of political corruption in the Capitol.

“It’s a good government appointment, and good government is good politics,” Deukmejian told reporters, who asked whether the probe had influenced his decision.

If Hayes is confirmed by the Legislature, he will be the second-highest-ranking Republican holding state office.