Wilson Backs Pringle’s Bid for GOP Nod

Gov. Pete Wilson is backing former Assembly Speaker Curt Pringle in his bid for the Republican nomination for state treasurer against Assemblyman Jan Goldsmith.

Wilson, who rarely issues endorsements in primaries, decided to support Pringle in the June 2 contest because “he believes Pringle can deliver, knows the issues, and is a shrewd and savvy politician,” a senior Wilson advisor said Saturday.

The governor plans to make an official announcement of the Pringle endorsement Monday.

Jeff Flint, Pringle’s campaign manager, welcomed the support.

“The governor has overwhelming support from Republican voters in the state, particularly among Republican primary voters,” he said. “We feel this will have a positive impact on our campaign.”

Goldsmith, a moderate Republican from Poway, could not be reached for comment.

Pringle’s political history is not without controversy.

The candidacy of the Garden Grove Republican has been denounced by Latino activists, who accuse him of being insensitive.

In 1988, the Orange County Republican Party posted uniformed security guards at 20 Santa Ana polling places carrying signs--paid for by Pringle’s campaign--reading “Noncitizens can’t vote” in English and Spanish. Insurance companies representing Pringle and the party later paid $400,000 to settle a civil rights lawsuit by Latino voters who complained that they were intimidated.