Bergeson Lured by Supervisorial Clout : * State Senator’s Wish to Succeed Thomas Riley Attests to Power of County Board

The announcement by state Sen. Marian Bergeson (R-Newport Beach) that she wants to succeed Thomas F. Riley as an Orange County supervisor when he retires 18 months from now amounts to a political earthquake. Although the news was not entirely unexpected, it immediately knocked several potential candidates out of the race and prompted Assemblyman Gil Ferguson (R-Newport Beach) to proclaim that he would run for Bergeson’s Senate seat. Now others will eye Ferguson’s Assembly post as the dominoes fall.

Apart from the obvious fact that Bergeson’s announcement is widely regarded in political circles as tantamount to election, all the attention says something about the power and influence generally ascribed to a seat on the county Board of Supervisors. The notice that a supervisor’s seat commands--even to the point of triggering jockeying at higher levels of government--is a reminder of the clout and, indeed, the responsibility of that particular office.

Although some of the power of the five supervisors has eroded in recent years, much remains. They control John Wayne Airport, allocate permits for builders and developers, oversee harbors, parks and beaches. They budget funds for welfare and health care. They will have to debate the future of the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, scheduled to close.

Whoever fills Riley’s seat, and that of Supervisor Harriett M. Wieder, who will retire at the same time, will face formidable challenges.

And everyone should remember that 18 months is a long time in politics. Bergeson’s entry into the race should not deprive district residents of a debate on the issues facing the county.

Supervisorial races too often provide little or no opposition, letting incumbents go unchallenged. Bergeson is getting a big running start, but a lot of water will flow under the bridge between now and the end of 1994, when Riley plans to retire.