Governor appoints judge to oversee campaign watchdog agency

Gov. Jerry Brown has appointed a judge to lead California’s campaign watchdog agency.

The governor on Wednesday named fellow Democrat Jodi Remke of Oakland to oversee the Fair Political Practices Commission, which enforces election laws and investigates allegations of wrongdoing.

The appointment comes as two Democratic state senators face federal charges of political corruption and after a third was convicted of voter fraud and perjury.

Since 2006, Remke has been presiding judge at the State Bar Court of California, an independent court for attorneys accused of professional misconduct.

The 48-year-old replaces Ann Ravel, who was appointed by President Barack Obama last June to the Federal Election Commission.

Remke previously worked for the state Senate Judiciary Committee and as an attorney in private practice.

The position, which pays $136,000 a year, does not require Senate confirmation.