Longtime San Diego-area public official named to state Fair Political Practices Commission

Former Assemblymember Charlene Zettel was named to the state’s political watchdog agency on Monday, the latest assignment in a long career of public service for the adopted San Diegan.

Zettel will serve as one of five members of the Fair Political Practices Commission, or FPPC, the apolitical regulatory board that enforces the Political Reform Act. The longtime Republican was appointed by State Controller Malia M. Cohen to a seat that expires in 2029.

“Charlene Zettel brings a deep understanding of California’s legislative and regulatory landscape,” FPPC Chair Adam E. Silver said. “As a former lawmaker and public servant with decades of experience in oversight and accountability, she understands the importance of transparency, integrity and public trust in our institutions.

“Her perspective will greatly strengthen the FPPC’s mission to uphold ethical standards across California,” he added.

Now 78, Zettel will fill a seat that has been vacant for months. She said in a statement that she was excited to join the board that oversees campaign-finance rules, conflicts of interest and other political matters.

“It’s an honor to join one of the nation’s leading political watchdogs,” Zettel said. “I look forward to advancing the FPPC’s work to ensure transparency, ethical governance and public trust.”

She graduated in 1969 with a bachelor of science in dental hygiene from USC, where she also served as one of the university’s song leaders — a dance and spirit squad that performs at games, rallies and other events.

Zettel married soon after graduating and raised two children in Poway.

She was elected to the local school board in 1992 and parlayed that service in 1998 into a seat in the California Assembly, where she wrote bills related to school violence and access to computer technology in schools, among other issues.

“California is the world’s leader in technology, yet our classrooms don’t reflect this reality,” she said at the time. “We have a responsibility to prepare all our children for the 21st century.”

Zettel was the first Latina Republican elected to the state Assembly. She served four years before running for an open seat in the California Senate but lost that race to Riverside County-based Republican Dennis Hollingsworth.

After her four years in the statehouse, Zettel was named by then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to run the state Department of Consumer Affairs, a sprawling agency that oversees dozens of licensing boards and millions of licensed professionals.

Zettel later served two years as a member of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority and 12 years as a regent of the University of California. By 2011, Zettel was named chief executive of Donate Life California, the state organ, eye and tissue donor registry.

As a member of the Fair Political Practices Commission, Zettel will consider recommendations from staff related to penalties and other enforcement actions against candidates, lobbyists and elected officials across California.

In addition to enforcing campaign-finance and reporting disclosures, the commission advises candidates and elected officials about possible conflicts of interest.