Brown Gives Horcher a Job in Mayor’s Office

Paul Horcher, the maverick Diamond Bar Republican assemblyman who cast the deciding vote allowing Willie Brown to maintain his speakership last year, has been appointed to a $70,000-a-year post by Brown, now the mayor of San Francisco.

Horcher, who lost his Assembly seat six months ago in the first successful state recall in 81 years, will serve as Brown’s liaison to the 11-member Board of Supervisors, Brown’s press secretary said Friday.

“I got to like San Francisco very much during the campaign,” said Horcher, now a registered Democrat. “It’s a refreshing change in political environments.”

Horcher will be responsible for monitoring pending legislation and pushing Brown’s agenda before the board, which serves as both city council and county governing body. He is expected to start next week.

The longtime Los Angeles County legislator said he is looking forward to a positive relationship with the board, 10 of whose members worked alongside Horcher in Brown’s campaign against former Mayor Frank Jordan.

And lest anyone say otherwise, Horcher said his appointment was due to merit, not political favors.

“I’ve got the qualifications for the job--maybe uniquely, judging by my experience working with [Los Angeles] County,” Horcher said. “I’m a successful legislator, notwithstanding the recall.”

But Republicans--furious at Horcher for turning independent, supporting Brown and thereby delaying his former party’s attempt to take power--said Horcher’s payback began during the recall fight, when Democrats kicked in more than $1 million and hundreds of precinct walkers to defend the San Gabriel Valley legislator.

After Horcher’s defeat, the Democrats made him a consultant for the party.

The newest post, Republicans said, is more of the same.

“Willie’s paying off for past service,” said Assemblyman Jim Brulte (R-Rancho Cucamonga), whose bid for the speakership was thwarted by Horcher’s vote for Brown.

“When Paul Horcher betrayed the voters of his district and voted for Willie Brown, that was a tremendous benefit to Willie Brown. So Willie is returning the favor.”

Brown, in Washington for the U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting, was not available for comment.