Schwarzenegger to Aid McClintock

Republican state Sen. Tom McClintock, who refused to withdraw in favor of GOP front-runner Arnold Schwarzenegger during the recall campaign, is now supported for reelection by the governor-elect and is essentially ceded another term by his chief Democratic rival.

In a gesture of unity, Schwarzenegger offered last week to speak at a fund-raiser for the veteran Thousand Oaks lawmaker, a spokesman for the new governor said Tuesday.

“The election is over, and the time for working together to move California forward is upon us,” spokesman H.D. Palmer said.

“Throughout the campaign, [Schwarzenegger] said that Sen. McClintock was a bright individual who brought a lot of constructive ideas on how to control state spending to the debate,” Palmer said. “Now, [Schwarzenegger is] gathering support from all members of the Legislature as he moves forward to implement his agenda.”

Meanwhile, Assemblywoman Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) said she would not run against McClintock, because the 19th Senate District became heavily Republican during the Legislature’s 2001 redistricting process.

“My decision not to run is based upon the fact that the district was designed for Mr. McClintock’s incumbency ... to ensure the reelection of the right-wing incumbent,” Jackson said.

McClintock said he was surprised by Schwarzenegger’s backing and pleased to hear Jackson’s assessment of Democrats’ chances in a reconfigured district that stretches from Santa Clarita in Los Angeles County through Thousand Oaks in Ventura County to Lompoc in Santa Barbara County. About 42% of registered voters in the district are Republicans and 37% are Democrats.

“[Schwarzenegger] has pledged to bring our party together, and he’s obviously very serious about doing so,” McClintock said Tuesday. “And I intend to do everything I can to assist him in cutting spending and balancing the state budget without raising taxes.”

McClintock said he was startled when Rep. David Dreier (R-San Dimas), a top Schwarzenegger transition-team advisor, dropped by his Senate office to offer the help of the governor-elect.

McClintock, a conservative, said he has seen nothing so far from Schwarzenegger, a social moderate, that has caused him any concern.

“So far, so good,” he said.

With Schwarzenegger’s blessing and Jackson’s withdrawal, McClintock now seems to have a smoother run through the March primary and perhaps the November general election.

One potential Republican challenger, Carpinteria businesswoman Beth Rogers, briefly considered a primary challenge but has now assured McClintock that she won’t run, according to the senator’s staff.

Rogers could not be reached Tuesday for comment. But she said earlier this month that she would wait for a signal from Schwarzenegger before deciding on the race.

McClintock, a Republican maverick since first elected to the Assembly in 1982, angered the party’s moderate mainstream by sticking with his gubernatorial campaign despite concern that he would split the party vote and give Democratic Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante the edge to replace Gov. Gray Davis.

Rogers, a wealthy, well-known moderate who ran for Congress last year, hosted a fund-raiser for Schwarzenegger two weeks before the Oct. 7 election.

Nov. 5 is the deadline for candidates for state offices to formally declare their intention to run. By Tuesday afternoon, only McClintock had filed for the 19th Senate District seat.