Former GOP Lawmaker Named Secretary of State
  
  
By Jesus Sanchez, Times Staff Writer  11 February 2005

Former state legislator Bruce McPherson, a moderate Republican from Santa Cruz, today was appointed to serve as secretary of state, replacing Kevin Shelley, who resigned last week amid allegations of financial and official misconduct.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who announced the appointment in Sacramento, hailed McPherson's integrity and reputation as a bipartisan leader during more than a decade in the California Assembly and Senate.  
"The secretary of state is an important constitutional office, entrusted with the most wonderful democratic process in our society ? free and fair elections," Schwarzenegger said. "The job demands the highest degree of integrity. Now it is time that we worked together and restored the people's faith in that office."

Favored by GOP moderates to fill the post, McPherson represented a politically diverse district during his 12 years in the Legislature. In 2002, he lost a bid to unseat incumbent Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante.

"I pledge to you and I pledge to the people of California to bring trust, confidence and efficiency to the office of secretary of state," McPherson said. "And at the same time I want to make it clear to all Californians that they should feel confident that the dedicated staffs of the secretary of state's office and the county registrars of voters throughout this great state are ready to carry out their important duties in a professional manner, just as they have in the past."

McPherson, 61, was appointed nearly a week after Shelley, a once rising star in Democratic politics, stepped down as he faced federal and state probes and highly critical reviews of his financial management and dealings with employees. His resignation takes effect March 1.

As the state official responsible for ensuring fair and efficient elections and maintaining campaign and financial disclosure records, Shelley won wide praise in 2003 for smoothly handling the state's historic gubernatorial recall. He also became a national advocate for requiring that electronic voting machines provide a paper record so balloting can be audited.

But last fall, federal and state agencies began investigating the allegations against him, and his public image began to erode.

Shelley is the first state constitutional officer to resign since Republican insurance Commissioner Chuck Quackenbush quit five years ago amid allegations that he had used his public office for political purposes.

As specified in the state Constitution, whenever a statewide-elected official leaves office before the end of the term, the governor must nominate a replacement, who is subject to legislative review.