Umberg Set to Talk Jobs With Gov.-Elect Davis

As a rising star in the Democratic Party in Orange County, former Assemblyman Tom Umberg developed a can-do attitude and learned to be politically adept in dealing with the Republican majority in the county.

His experience as a former military and federal prosecutor, as well as his political savvy and connections, helped him land a post earlier this year in the Clinton administration as a top official in the U.S. drug czar’s office.

Now, Gov.-elect Gray Davis, filling the top posts in his administration, would like to entice his friend and political ally away from Washington for a position in Sacramento. Davis, who is in the Washington area this weekend, is expected to visit with Umberg tonight to discuss possible jobs, associates say.

Umberg, 43, who ran Clinton’s California campaign in 1996, is likely to stay put for now. But he makes no secret that he wants to return to his Villa Park home by the end of 2000 at the latest.

“I have obligations to fulfill,” he said. But, “sometime in the future, I would be honored to serve in his administration.”

The future could come quickly, though, if drug czar Barry McCaffrey leaves or if Davis offers Umberg “some particularly fantastic” job, said one long-time Umberg aide.

The one-time Garden Grove lawmaker also could probably count on a federal job if the Democrats retain control of the White House in 2000, political observers say.

Davis and Umberg first met in 1990 when Davis, then the state controller, campaigned for Umberg in the first of his two Assembly races. Associates said they became quick friends partly because they saw many issues the same way.

“We do have a lot in common,” Umberg acknowledged.

Both are fiscally conservative, socially more liberal. Umberg, who supported the three-strikes criminal law that puts third-time convicted felons in prison for lengthy terms, said Davis shares his tough-on-crime views.

For now, though, Umberg faces major challenges as the second ranking executive at the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the umbrella organization that coordinates the nation’s drug interdiction and treatment efforts worldwide.

In his post, Umberg oversees effort of 52 government entities, from the Drug Enforcement Agency to the U.S. Coast Guard, to deal with one issue: halting the delivery of drugs at their source.

That means Umberg is focused mainly on a few countries--Peru, Bolivia, Mexico and Colombia. He spends half his time traveling to meet with military and civilian leaders in those countries and ensure logistical support.

Since his Senate confirmation in April, Umberg has been most visible in his campaign to push Colombian officials to slash drug production, mainly through aerial spraying of coca and poppy plants. Cultivation of coca had expanded 56% in the past two years, according to figures his office compiled.

Late last month, Colombian President Andres Pastrana, who was visiting Washington, agreed to the policy. His government will receive $280 million in U.S. aid this year to fight drug trafficking, curtail left-wing paramilitary groups and continue spraying.

“I’m cautiously optimistic they will continue those operations and develop a comprehensive national policy,” Umberg said.