Career
He was nominated to replace former Secretary of State Kevin Shelley, who resigned on March 4. McPherson, a Republican from Santa Cruz County, served his term as Secretary until January 8, 2007. He was confirmed unanimously by both Democratic-controlled houses of the California State Legislature after being nominated to replace Shelley, a Democrat, by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
He lost his bid for a full term to Democrat Debra Bowen in November 2006.
Previously, McPherson was a State Assemblyman from 1993 to 1996 and a State Senator from 1996 to 2004, when he retired due to term limits. McPherson was defeated in the 2002 election for Lieutenant Governor of California by incumbent Cruz Bustamante.
Their son, Hunter, was murdered in a 2001 San Francisco street robbery. In November 2012, McPherson was elected to the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors.
1996 Race for California State Senate, 15th District
Bruce McPherson (R), 47.2%
Rusty Areias (Doctorate), 45.8%
2002 Republican Primary for California Lieutenant
Governor
Bruce McPherson (R), 86.2%
Ellie Michaels (R), 13.8%
2002 Race for California Lieutenant Governor
Cruz Bustamante (Doctorate), (inc) 49.4%
Bruce McPherson (R), 41.8%
2006 Race for California Secretary of State
Debra Bowen (Doctorate), 48.4%
Bruce McPherson (R), (inc) 44.8%
2012 Race for Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, District 5
Bruce McPherson (North/P) 50.10%%
Eric Hammer (North/P), 49.51%.