Obit: Joe Cerrell dies at 75

Joe Cerrell, one of California’s premier campaign consultants who spent more than 50 years as a state, local and presidential strategist, died Friday of pneumonia in Camarillo. He was 75.

“We are bolstered by his zest for life-for his love of politics, for his proud Italian heritage, and for his unyielding passion for the New York Yankees and the USC Trojans,” Cerrell’s daughter, Sharon Cerrell, wrote to her friends and family.

Cerrell’s Los Angeles-based consulting company, Cerrell Associates, was one of the best known political firms in California, handling an array of Democratic candidates. Cerrell, officially or unofficially, served as an adviser to campaigns and as a mentor to young consultants.

An alumnus of the University of Southern California, Cerrell worked on Gov. Pat Brown’s first campaign for governor in 1958 and later headed the state Democratic Party.

Services were pending.