Art Torres, the chair of the California Democratic Party, is building support to become the next vice-chairman of California's stem cell agency.
Torres, a former Democratic lawmaker who has served as chairman of the state party since 1996, has been nominated for the post by state Treasurer Bill Lockyer, Lt. Gov. John Garamendi and State Controller John Chiang, all Democrats.
Lockyer argued Torres "represents the best our state has to offer" in his nomination letter.
"I'm very interested," Torres said of the job. "At this point, I think it's a good transition for me to go back to my public policy roots."
The post comes with a salary range of $180,000 to $332,000, according to CIRM documents.
Torres said he would accept a salary as vice-chairman. "I do need a salary because I am not a wealthy person," he said, adding that "what that compensation should be is up to the board."
Under Proposition 71, the 2004 initiative that created the $3 billion stem-cell agency, three statewide officials (Lockyer, Chiang and Garamendi), along with the governor, have the power to nominate a vice-chairman.
The 29 members of the Independent Citizen's Oversight Committee are expected to vote on the nominations in January.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has yet to name his nominee.
But a Dec. 4 letter to the stem-cell board from Schwarzenegger indicates he is unlikely to nominate Torres.
Schwarzenegger wrote that he has "deep concern" about the chair and vice-chair collecting salaries.
At a meeting this week, the chair of the stem-cell board, Robert Klein, is requesting to collect his salary for the first time (He has worked unpaid since 2004). The salary range for the chair is $275,000 to $508,750. The previous vice-chairman, Ed Penhoet, also declined his salary.
"CIRM has a responsibility to spend taxpayer money with great care, so I urge you to ensure that compensation for these positions is offered only if and to the extent absolutely necessary to implement its mission," the governor wrote.
Schwarzenegger also urged the stem-cell board to "select someone with meaningful expertise and experience in stem cell research" for the vice-chairmanship.
Torres has a long history of involvement in health issues, but does not have direct stem-cell experience. He is a colon cancer survivor since 2006, the former chair of the Assembly Health Committee and has served on the board of directors of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation.
The stem cell board's chief purpose is to distribute grants - from the $3 billion it was allotted by voters - for embryonic stem-cell research.
"I obviously want to see money out the door sooner than later," said Torres.
He touted his connections - he was first elected to the Assembly in 1974 - as beneficial for promoting the mission of the stem-cell agency.
"That's over 34 years of relationships and experience that is important to communicate the needs of this mission," he said.
Torres is also building upon those connections to win the vice-chairmanship. Garamendi's nomination letter states that Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi have all endorsed Torres for the post.
Torres appears to have some support on the board, as well.
"I'm keeping an open mind, but (Torres) is well-qualified for this position," said David Serrano Sewell, who fills the patient advocate slot for multiple sclerosis on the stem-cell panel. "He has the legislative, business and volunteer experience. Just as important he has the relationships with legislators in Sacramento and Washington D.C., built over 20 years, that will greatly benefit our mission."
Photo: California Democratic Party Chairman Art Torres talks to reporters during a press conference at the state Democratic Party Convention in Los Angeles on Friday, April 15, 2005. Credit: Sacramento Bee/ John Decker
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