Brian Setencich
Brian Setencich (born 1962) served in the California Assembly for one term from 1994 to 1996 and as Speaker of that body from September 14 1995 to January 4 1996. Setencich was the first freshman legislator to serve as Speaker of the Assembly. He was previously a city councilman in Fresno and played professional basketball in Europe. [1]
Brian Setencich (born 1962) served in the California Assembly for one term from 1994 to 1996 and as Speaker of that body from September 14, 1995 to January 4, 1996. Setencich was the first freshman legislator to serve as Speaker of the Assembly. He was previously a city councilman in Fresno and played professional basketball in Europe. [1]
[edit] Rise to power Brian Setencich was elected to represent Assembly District 30 (AD 30). Voter registration in AD 30 is 51% D - 35% R). (2) As a moderate Republican populist, Setencich won the district despite its strong Democratic voter base and being significantly outspent by Bryn Batrich, a long-time Democratic staffer. During the 1995 session, political infighting consumed the Assembly, Republicans demanded that the Speaker be a Republican since they had a slight majority in the House. Democrats backed Doris Allen, a Republican from Huntington Beach. Republicans insisted that she was a pawn of Willie Brown, insisting that the head of the Republican caucus Curt Pringle be named Speaker. Setencich stated that he could not support Pringle because he was outraged by his use of poll guards to intimidate Hispanic voters in an earlier election. (3) While Allen was Speaker, Setencich agreed to serve as Speaker pro Tempore. Republicans then began a recall effort against Allen. Allen then resigned as Speaker. Setencich was elected Speaker shortly thereafter with the support of Democrats. After Allen was recalled, Republicans then waged a stealth campaign against Setencich funded by the ultra-conservative California Business PAC. Robert Prenter, a politically unknown medical supply salesman had access to big Republican PAC money. His uncle was conservative Christian broadcaster Edward Atsinger III, a founder of the California Independent Business PAC. Although Setencich was supported by virtually every newspaper in the district, Prenter narrowly won the election. California Business PAC, and the California Republican Party were found guilty of violating California law for engaging in numerous illegal tactics. (4,5,6,7) As Speaker, Setencich attempted to implement proportional funding rather than the spoils system currently in place and encourage bipartisan teamwork.
[edit] Fall from power After leaving the Assembly, Setencich served as the Emergency Communications Officer for the City of San Francisco. He now works in the private sector.
[edit] External links 1. http://www.calvoter.org/voter/elections/archive/98primary/caljournal/ad21-ad40.html 2. http://www.calvoter.org/voter/elections/archive/98primary/caljournal/ad21-ad40.html 3. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DE7DE103CF936A15751C1A96F948260 4. http://www.fppc.ca.gov/june01/item13x.pdf 5. http://www.fppc.ca.gov/june01/item13stip.pdf 6. http://www.fppc.ca.gov/index.html?id=48&show=detail&prid=556 7. http://www.fppc.ca.gov/Tech/Bulletins/2may.pdf
Fall from power
In 1995, Brown was elected Mayor of San Francisco. On January 3 1996, Brown resigned to be sworn in as Mayor. This allowed the Republicans to take control of the Assembly and elect conservative Orange County legislator Curt Pringle as Speaker of the Assembly. In the primary election of 1996, Setencich was defeated for renomination by Robert Prenter, who defeated Setencich again in November when Setencich ran as a write-in candidate.
After voters ousted Setencich from office, Willie Brown hired Setencich to work in San Francisco's emergency communication office. Setencich was convicted in 2001 of tax evasion through using funds from his campaign account for personal gain and understating income. Because of that, he may no longer run for public office.[2]
External links
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