Schwarzenegger Allies in GOP Take Jobs Representing Private Interests

Two more allies of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger have taken new jobs offering their political connections to clients looking for influence with the Republican administration.

State Sen. Jim Brulte of Rancho Cucamonga, at one time the most powerful Republican in the Capitol and an advisor to Schwarzenegger during his transition, will join California Strategies Inc. after leaving office Dec. 1. The consulting firm is managed by Bob White, a senior advisor to Schwarzenegger during the recall election, who represents a host of corporate clients on government business.

In addition, former Schwarzenegger political advisor Mitch Mulanix has registered as a lobbyist for a Connecticut company seeking to build two desalination plants in Southern California. The firm faces a barrage of regulatory hurdles. Mulanix worked closely with Schwarzenegger on his after-school initiative, Proposition 49, in 2002, and advised him during the recall election last year.

The new jobs for Brulte and Mulanix represent a shift since Schwarzenegger took office nearly a year ago. Republican law firms, consultants and lobbyists are proliferating around town as scores of the governor’s appointees fill high-ranking positions and regulatory agencies. The most notable addition has been a new consulting office across from the Capitol managed by Mike Murphy, one of Schwarzenegger’s closest advisors.

The administration repeatedly has said Schwarzenegger doesn’t care who tries to pressure him, and separates his outside political advice from his government decisions. “This governor ran for office saying, ‘I can’t be bought. I can’t be influenced,’ ” said his communications director, Rob Stutzman.

Brulte cannot lobby the government for at least a year after leaving office, so his role will be as a consultant. That often involves advising clients on political timing, overcoming regulatory hurdles, swaying public perception or connecting them with the right person in government. Brulte said he would open an office in San Bernardino County and look for new clients.

In an e-mail message to The Times, Brulte said he still planned to run for the state Board of Equalization in 2006, and has accumulated $1.3 million in campaign contributions so far for that race. In the meantime, he said, “California Strategies is one of the most highly regarded strategic planning and government relations firms, and I was pleased to accept their offer of a partnership.”

Mulanix, who works with Schwarzenegger political advisor George Gorton, said he had not seen Schwarzenegger since his election last year, except perhaps to wave at him across the room at a party. Although Mulanix and Gorton work for the same company, Mulanix said his lobbying business is kept separate from Gorton’s political operation.

Mulanix said his biggest role would be to educate lawmakers about Poseidon Resources and the company’s plans to build two $250-million desalination plants -- in Huntington Beach and Carlsbad -- each designed to produce 50 million gallons a day of fresh water from the sea. The projects also could face scrutiny by the state Regional Water Quality Control Board and the Coastal Commission.

“I haven’t met with anybody in the administration,” Mulanix said. “Maybe someday we will. But it isn’t on my near-term agenda.”

Billy Owens, senior vice president of Poseidon Resources, said Mulanix was hired because he knows the administration and Republicans.