GOP Assembly Gains May Make Brulte Speaker

SACRAMENTO —  Jim Brulte, a former advance man for President George Bush, may be on the verge of a political coup so rare in the California Assembly that Brulte was all of 12 years old the last time it happened: a Republican’s election as Speaker.

The pragmatic two-term Rancho Cucamonga legislator had figured he would get GOP legislators within striking distance of taking control of the Assembly this year and then watch his successor finish the job in 1996, when he is barred by term limits from seeking reelection, or even 1998.

To his surprise, however, his campaign legwork paid off on Election Day and Republicans expect the 38-year-old Brulte to be the first GOP Assembly Speaker in a generation, ending the record 14-year reign of San Francisco Democrat Willie Brown.

Although Brulte’s ascendance is not certain, Republicans are optimistic. The Assembly will convene in December to choose a Speaker, which requires 41 votes from the 80 members. Based on unofficial election returns, the tally stands at 40 Republican votes and 40 Democratic ones, but Republicans expect to pick up one more seat when absentee ballots are counted. Even then, a single defection could stop Brulte or, as has happened in the past, a coalition leader could emerge with backing from some members of both parties.

On Thursday, to cheers and applause, GOP colleagues unanimously reelected a beaming Brulte as the Assembly’s Republican leader. At a news conference later, Brulte sounded a conciliatory note--even though he has yet to tally the necessary 41 votes--saying he wanted to work with Democrats but also warning against any attempts “to steal a Republican victory.”

Who is this man that most Californians have never heard of and whose formidable, 6-foot-4, 349-pound frame is reminiscent of the legendary Democratic Assembly Speaker Jesse M. Unruh, the original “big daddy” of California politics?

Brulte’s friends describe him as a pragmatic conservative who relishes the back-room strategizing of politics. Others say he is non-ideological, allowing him to walk a narrow line between staunch conservatives and Republican Gov. Pete Wilson, especially in budget squabbles.

Assemblyman Gil Ferguson (R-Newport Beach), who did not seek reelection, said Brulte’s style is flexible, similar to that of U.S. Sen. Bob Dole (R-Kan.). If he assumes the speakership, Ferguson predicted, Brulte “will try to emulate Willie Brown in the building of power.”

Democrats, too, praise Brulte for his political sense, which has brought him to the verge of accomplishing what half a dozen other GOP legislators have only dreamed about. They describe him as a cunning political operative fixated on winning an Assembly majority.

The shape of a Brulte speakership in a chaotic and narrowly divided Assembly remains uncertain.

During Brown’s lengthy tenure as Assembly Speaker, the job has been generally considered the second most powerful political position in state government. The Speaker appoints all the Assembly’s committee heads and members, who screen all bills. Brown also gains power by collecting large amounts of campaign contributions from special interest groups and dispensing them to his Democratic allies.

Senate President Pro Tem Bill Lockyer, a Hayward Democrat who took over his leadership post this year, said Brulte is “constructive and upbeat” but worries that the GOP legislator “occasionally feels compelled to assert the right-wing dogma that emanates from many of his caucus members. That’s always a bit of a show stopper.” Lockyer is expected to retain his post because a majority of Democrats remain in control of the state Senate.

Brulte says he would lobby for the Republican agenda that GOP legislators have pressed in recent years, including immigration reform, cracking down on crime and improving the business climate in California.

“When 41 Republicans are sworn in Dec. 5, and when we elect a Republican Speaker, the focus will turn to Republicans to govern,” Brulte said Thursday. “We are excited about the opportunity and the prospect. It is our turn. And I promise you that Republicans will use this opportunity wisely.”

Asked if he would favor a school prayer bill, Brulte said: “If you ask me if I think there is anything wrong with a moment of silence in the public school, no I do not. I would support such a bill.”

But Assemblywoman Kathleen Honeycutt (R-Hesperia), who did not seek reelection, said Brulte does not believe in fighting unnecessary political battles, adding that “he’s very much a realist.”

Brulte said he initially figured Republicans would pick up two or three seats. But several weeks ago he realized GOP chances might be even better. He began to focus attention and money on four races: two in the Central Valley, one in San Diego, and one in Long Beach, where Democrat Betty Karnette won a close race in 1992.

Republicans lost in San Diego but won the two farm-belt campaigns and believe they will unseat Karnette, who is ahead by 64 votes with 2,000 to 3,000 absentee ballots still to be counted. Brulte said Karnette’s opponent, Steve Kuykendall, received a massive infusion of cash in the days before the election, including about $125,000 from tobacco giant Philip Morris. Kuykendall’s victory would give Republicans the 41 votes they need to control the Assembly.

The ballots are among 170,000 absentee ballots yet to be counted in Los Angeles County. On Thursday, dozens of lawyers and political operatives hovered in library-like silence while the ballots were opened and signatures checked. Election officials expect to issue their first update Monday.

In 1968, Republicans gained a 41-39 majority and Republican Robert Monagan became Speaker. Monagan on Thursday urged Brulte to hold out an olive branch to Democrats.

“My words are that you can get elected with 41 votes, but you can’t run the Assembly with 41 votes so he needs to make some overtures to a significant number of Democrats that they can operate the Assembly in an effective manner,” Monagan said. He noted that he appointed five Democrats as committee chairmen.

Brulte was a few months short of his 13th birthday when Monagan took the job. A native of Glen Cove, N.Y., Brulte, who grew up in San Bernardino County, is a onetime aide to the late U.S. Sen. S. I. Hayakawa and served as an advance man for President Bush.

Elected to the Assembly in 1990, Brulte was a surprise choice two years ago as Republican leader to succeed Assemblyman Bill Jones (R-Fresno). The post had been expected to go to Assemblyman Dean Andal (R-Stockton) but he was locked in a close election, which would be decided by absentee ballots. So his GOP colleagues turned to Brulte.

Brulte told reporters then: “I have no detailed plan right now. Give me a week or two to develop one.”

Brulte holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Cal Poly Pomona. One of his most-publicized moments occurred in 1993 when, while playing golf, he was shot in the arm by a BB fired by a teen-ager who apparently missed a tree that was his target, friends said.

As minority leader, Brulte has at times cooperated with Speaker Brown and has seldom enforced strict party loyalty.

Assemblyman Louis Caldera (D-Los Angeles) said: “I think he’s an effective minority leader who has used many different tools in his job in the past, including being sharply partisan and, when he needed to be, conciliatory, and working behind the scenes to strike a deal with the Speaker.”

Caldera said that if Brulte gains 41 votes, there are Democrats, including himself, who might consider backing the Republican for Speaker, especially if he pledged to take a bipartisan approach.

But it’s unclear whether all Republicans will line up behind Brulte. On Thursday, Assemblyman Paul Horcher (R-Diamond Bar) said he has no intention of becoming a Democrat but that he might vote for himself for Speaker.

Others said that for the next three weeks--until the Assembly reconvenes in early December and elects a Speaker--Brulte will be in middle of a political storm and how he handles the limelight could well influence the upcoming legislative session.

Times staff writers Carl Ingram in Sacramento and Ted Johnson in Norwalk contributed to this story.

Profile: Jim Brulte

* Born: April 13, 1956, in Glen Cove, N.Y.

* Residence: Rancho Cucamonga

* Education: Bachelor of arts degree in political science from Cal Poly Pomona

* Career highlights: Served on staff of Sen. S.I. Hayakawa and joined the staff of the Republican National Committee in 1981. Joined the Reagan Administration as an appointee to the assistant secretary of defense for military reserve affairs in 1984. Also served on President Bush’s White House advance staff. First elected to the Assembly in 1990. Elected Republican leader in November, 1992. Reelected Assembly Republican leader Thursday.

* Interests: Going to the movies

* Family: Single

* Quote: “Now the focus is on us. It is our turn and Republicans must use this opportunity wisely. Partisanship must give way to consensus building. It’s time for Republicans to show they can govern and govern well.”