To Replace Shelley, Bold Choice May Be Best Option

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has three directions to move in choosing a replacement for Secretary of State Kevin Shelley.

One direction is a dead end. Another is too risky. The third points Schwarzenegger to where he really wants to go: a legacy of having changed government and his party for the better.

The governor’s opportunity to place his own stamp on another statewide office came when Democrat Shelley resigned Friday amid several investigations of alleged corruption.

Schwarzenegger will nominate a successor. The Legislature has 90 days to confirm or reject the nominee. If either house rejects the offering, the governor must select another candidate. Failure to act at all is tantamount to approval.

These are the governor’s possible courses:

* Dead end. Nominate a noncontroversial “caretaker” readily acceptable to the Legislature’s Democratic majority. The nominee would become acceptable by pledging not to run for election in 2006 -- or by being deemed a likely loser if he did run. In the end, neither Schwarzenegger nor the GOP would gain anything from this.

* Risky. Nominate a “fresh face,” somebody who has not won much politically, but is viewed as a future star. Perhaps a Latino, who could demonstrate GOP “inclusiveness.” But such an unproven politician could quickly become a falling star.

* Legacy-bound. Be both safe and bold. Choose a politically proven, spotless Republican who could get elected in 2006. Dare Democrats to whine.

Pick somebody who knows his way along the campaign trail and inside the Capitol. Somebody who is up to speed on the duties of secretary of state. Somebody in the Schwarzenegger mode who could “reform” the office and nudge the GOP toward the middle.

Somebody like former state Sen. Bruce McPherson of Santa Cruz.

McPherson, 61, is a moderate who served 12 years in the Legislature, representing a politically diverse district. He has been through tough election battles, and lost by 7.6 points to incumbent Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante in the 2002 Democratic sweep.

Relevant to the secretary of state’s job -- which involves overseeing California’s elections -- he once chaired the Assembly Elections Committee. And he fought for online reporting of campaign contribution reports so they’d be easily accessible to any voter.

Moreover, he’s a good guy -- one whom politicians of both parties respect and Democrats couldn’t oppose in good conscience. And even if their consciences couldn’t stop them, they’d look to the public like blatantly partisan obstructionists.

Other current or former lawmakers also fit into the category of unassailable nominees. Although Republicans, they’ve been colleagues of the ruling Democrats and would be tough to oppose. Some are running for another office, but presumably would accept a Schwarzenegger freebie to be secretary of state. They include:

Sen. Chuck Poochigian of Fresno, who currently plans to run for attorney general; Assemblyman Keith Richman of Northridge, a moderate whose sights are set on treasurer; former Senate GOP leader Jim Brulte of Rancho Cucamonga, who’s planning to run for the state Board of Equalization; and former assemblyman and San Bernardino County supervisor Fred Aguiar, who heads Schwarzenegger’s State and Consumer Services Agency.

Senate Republican leader Dick Ackerman of Irvine has formed a campaign committee to run for secretary of state, but that reportedly is just so he’ll have a place to stash some old political money. Regardless, his nomination might look too political. So would that of combative Assembly GOP leader Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield.

One intriguing possibility is moderate Republican Sen. Abel Maldonado, a former Santa Maria mayor. Only 37, he’s considered a future GOP star who can appeal especially to Latinos.

Two other conceivable Latino nominees: Gary Mendoza, a former state corporations commissioner who was the unsuccessful GOP candidate for insurance commissioner in 2002. And Rosario Marin, a former U.S. treasurer and Huntington Park City Council member who ran unsuccessfully for the party’s U.S. Senate nomination last year.

But those two get into the “risky” category because they’re politically unproven. Also, they would no doubt kick up a ruckus among Democratic Latino lawmakers who’d view them as threats.

Much speculation has focused on former Secretary of State Bill Jones of Fresno. He did a terrific job in the office for eight years. But why would he return? Regardless, this would be a dead-end nomination because Jones is termed-out and can’t run again.

For Schwarzenegger, recruiting Jones would be uncharacteristically reaching into the past rather than moving forward.

Another widely discussed possible caretaker is former Sen. Ross Johnson of Irvine. Few know election law better. Colleagues respect him. But he’s neither photogenic nor particularly articulate. And he may be too conservative for a statewide electorate. Therefore, he’s not seen as a winner in 2006.

That’s why Democrats are rooting for him. “I could guarantee safe passage for Ross in the Senate,” says President Pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland).

Democrats should provide “safe passage” for virtually anybody Schwarzenegger nominates for secretary of state. It’s the GOP’s turn. A Democrat held the job and blew it. Now’s the time to focus on more important battles.

This governor has the power and the popularity to install practically anybody he wants.