SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger named a longtime former Santa Cruz legislator, Bruce McPherson, as California's 29th secretary of state Friday.

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"I looked for someone with strong experience, unimpeachable integrity and someone who is widely respected, and that is exactly what Bruce brings with him to the job," Schwarzenegger said through a press release from the governor's office. "I look forward to working with the Legislature to quickly confirm Bruce to ensure a smooth transition of leadership for this important office."

"I am honored to be able to serve the people of California again, and I want to thank Gov. Schwarzenegger for this opportunity," McPherson said in the press release. "I will work hard to restore integrity, trust and confidence to the office of Secretary of State. I will work to repair relationships between the state and the 58 county registrars, and I will work assiduously to ensure HAVA compliance as soon as possible."

McPherson, 61, who left the state Senate last year after 11 years in the Legislature, would replace Kevin Shelley, who resigned last Friday while facing numerous investigations into his conduct in office. Shelley's resignation takes effect March 1.

The governor's office made the announcement on the appointment at an 11 a.m. news conference in Sacramento.

McPherson, a former newspaper editor and moderate Republican, has been a Schwarzenegger ally since the two met in 2002 when Schwarzenegger was pushing an after-school initiative. Schwarzenegger hosted an Orange County fund-raiser for McPherson during his unsuccessful 2002 campaign for lieutenant governor.

McPherson was also among the first to sponsor legislation seeking to put political contributions and lobbying information online, and supports redistricting of state legislative and congressional districts, a key Schwarzenegger goal.

Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, D-Oakland, said the Senate would quickly confirm McPherson.

"There isn't anybody who has a greater sense of responsibility, personal integrity and fairness than Bruce McPherson," Perata said.

McPherson was editor of the Santa Cruz Sentinel before winning an Assembly seat in 1993 in a Democratic district. He won election to the Senate three years later.