Assemblyman named to new committee post

Paul Clinton

NEWPORT-MESA -- Barely six months into his first term, Assemblyman

John Campbell (R-Irvine) is in line for an influential committee post.

Campbell, whose district includes Newport-Mesa, will replace George

Runner (R-Lancaster) as vice chair on the Assembly’s budget committee.

Campbell, a certified public accountant, will replace Runner after this

year’s session ends in September.

“I am honored to be chosen for that position considering I’ve only

been on the job for six months,” Campbell said. “I’m looking forward to

applying business and accounting practices to the state budget process.”

Republican caucus head Dave Cox (R-Sacramento) named Campbell to the

post. As the minority leader, Cox and other high-ranking Republicans

choose who will hold the vice-chair positions in the Assembly.

“John Campbell is the ideal choice [for the budget committee] because

he’s a CPA and a businessman,” Cox said.

Campbell will shadow Runner during this session’s budget process

before taking the reins for the 2002 budget.

Campbell was overwhelmingly elected in November, replacing Marilyn

Brewer.