Posted on 06/04/2005 11:36:18 AM PDT by BenLurkin
The ripple effect of President George W. Bush's selection for the next director of the Securities and Exchange Commission could send waves all the way to the Antelope Valley. Bush has picked Congressman Christopher Cox, a Newport Beach Republican, to head the SEC. If Cox is confirmed by the U.S. Senate, the California state Senate could lose one its members, if Sen. Dick Ackerman, R-Tustin, succeeds in replacing Cox in a special election.
That would leave a vacancy in Ackerman's present position as Senate Minority Leader, the GOP leader in the state's upper house.
State Sen. George Runner, R-Lancaster, is one of a handful of GOP senators mentioned in the halls of the state Capitol as a potential replacement.
According to a daily newsletter popular among Sacramento insiders, Sens. Jim Battin, John Campell, David Cox and Runner are possibilities.
In his first year in the Senate, Runner is already serving as Republican caucus chairman, and he carried a number of bills proposed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
"Members (of the Senate) have inquired about my interest in serving," Runner said. "Quite frankly, I'd do it if it seemed to be the best thing for the members and the caucus. But my preference is to have someone who's served in the Senate a long time … I'm not sure those of us who just got there are best (for the role)."
Ackerman, who lost his race for state Attorney General in 2002, took over as Senate Republican leader last year before former leader Jim Brulte termed out of office. Ackerman visited Lancaster in 2002 to give the keynote address at the Antelope Valley Republican Assembly's installation dinner.
Ackerman's office confirmed Friday that he will be running for Cox's seat, if Cox is confirmed to the SEC post.
Runner speculated that a decision on the next GOP leader could be made after the 2005-2006 state budget is agreed upon this summer; Republican senators will vote on the replacement.
"I was honored to be chosen to be caucus chair as a freshman, and I would like to continue in that role," Runner said, noting that the Minority Leader position involves more travel and fund-raising than the more policy-oriented caucus role.
"In one sense, there are people I don't want to see as leader, and if need be, I certainly would step in," he said. Runner declined to name those he wouldn't support as leader.
"The people who've been talking about it amongst ourselves, we're all on same page with wanting a good, smooth transition with as little acrimony as possible," he said.
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