Shelley facing slew of probes Most Democrats sitting it out, but one wants his job

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 10/27/4 | Lynda Gledhill

[SmithL]

Sacramento -- Overseeing a presidential vote is usually the most challenging time for the state's election chief, but Tuesday's election may be relatively easy for Secretary of State Kevin Shelley compared to what awaits him after the balloting.

Investigations into his management of federal voting act money and his handling of employee complaints against him are expected to be made public, and lawmakers back from the campaign trail will begin hearings into allegations lodged against him. A federal grand jury continues to investigate how money from a state grant was apparently diverted to Shelley's 2002 campaign, and the San Francisco Democrat will face a primary challenge when he runs for re-election in less than two years.

Few of Shelley's fellow Democrats have come to his defense, choosing instead to demur until after pending investigations are completed. The chairman of the state Democratic Party, Art Torres, said it would be inappropriate for him to comment until then.

But the public silence by members of his own party has begun to crack, and the fissure may widen when lawmakers return to work briefly in December and then begin their new session in earnest in January.

[SmithL]

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