Common Cause Sees Ethics Issue in Campbell Action

Common Cause said Wednesday that it has asked the Legislature’s Joint Ethics Committee to investigate a possible conflict in state Sen. William Campbell’s announcement that he will remain in office until January even though he will then become president of a prominent business lobbying group.

“How can we know who he is really representing?” asked Mark Haarer, Common Cause’s acting California director.

The Common Cause complaint said, “It is unreasonable to believe that a member who is seeking employment with an organization, let alone someone who has publicly accepted employment with such an organization, which has bills before the Legislature, will be able to exercise objective judgment.”

Campbell announced his resignation Oct. 25 to become head of the California Manufacturing Assn. In a statement Wednesday, Campbell lashed out at Haarer, calling his complaint a “cheap shot.”

“Today’s actions by the acting director of California Common Cause are so ludicrous that they cast serious doubt on the credibility of this individual to lead an important state organization,” Campbell charged.

He also reiterated a pledge that he will abstain from voting on issues that might involve a conflict with the manufacturing association.

“Allowing a two-month period in which to finish several legislative projects important to the people of California but of no interest to the California Manufacturers Assn. seemed like a reasonable transition,” he said.