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| The Passing of Joe Cerrell. RIP, JOE! |
By Randy Economy
www.Economy4ABC.Blogspot.com
December 3, 2010
4:30 p.m.
Los Angeles, CA
Sad news this afternoon.
Longtime Democratic political consultant Joe Cerrell has died due to complications of pneumonia.
Joe Cerrell was one of a kind. He was a real "thorw back" here in California politics. Hard hitting. Tough on the outside and a real "softy" on the inside who was full of compassion.
I wanted to send my thoughts and prayers to his family and friends and coworkers. He was 75 years old. Here is a statement from Hal Dash, from Cerrell and Associates.
During his career, Joe played key roles in the presidential campaigns of John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Hubert H. Humphrey, Lloyd Bentsen, John Glenn and Al Gore. On his own, or as part of the firm, he has managed a wide variety of local and state campaigns, and pioneered the field of judicial campaign management. He is chairman emeritus and past president of the American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC) and past president of the International Association of Political Consultants (IAPC). Joe also served as a member of the White House Business and Public Affairs Advisory Committee by appointment of President Jimmy Carter.“We are deeply saddened to announce that our company co-founder, mentor, political legend and friend Joe Cerrell passed away this morning in Camarillo following a brief bout with pneumonia. His family was at his side to say goodbye.
Joe was a larger-than-life figure in California politics and public affairs for the past half century, beginning as a USC college Democrat and building a career in which he was an advisor to presidents, governors and political figures at all levels. His legacy as a counselor, confidant, and close friend to thousands of people in politics, the business community, as well as in the public relations and non-profit arenas, especially the Italian-American community in Los Angeles, will not be forgotten.
Along with his beloved wife Lee, Joe built Cerrell Associates into one of the most respected and successful public affairs and political consulting firms in the nation.
Today, we celebrate this great icon of California and national politics, his life and many accomplishments, even as we mourn his passing.
He served on the board of directors for the Los Angeles World Affairs Council; is past chairman of the Hollywood Wilshire YMCA; past vice president of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), Los Angeles chapter; and member of the Board of Visitors of the Graziadio School of Business Management, Pepperdine University. Joe also served as president of the California Museum of Science and Industry and as a member of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Commission, when it hosted the 1984 Olympic Games.
I worked with Joe on lots of political campaigns over the years, including lots of local Judicial campaigns. I had a tremendous amount of respect for Joe. He will be missed!
RrE
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