WASHINGTON -- President Reagan is expected to name Mary Azcuenaga, the Federal Trade Commission's assistant general counsel, to replace Michael Pertschuk as one of the FTC's five commissioners, agency sources said Tuesday.
'It's basically an open secret,' said one source.
'And nearly everyone is pretty excited about it. It's good to see someone in the commission rise to the rank of commissioner.'
Ms. Azcuenaga, 39, has been at the FTC for 11 years and has served since last year as its assistant general counsel. She is a 1973 graduate of the University of Chicago Law School.
Reagan is expected to formally nominate Ms. Azcuenaga, an independent, to succeed Pertschuk, a Democrat, when Pertschuk's term expires next month.
Her appointment would give the commission a membership of three Republicans, one Democrat and one independent.
Pertschuk chaired the agency during the Carter administration and has been critical of the stewardship of FTC Chairman James Miller, a Reagan-appointee, who he has accused of inadequately enforcing consumer protection laws.
Barry Rubin, a member of Pertschuk's staff, said the commissioner is relatively pleased that Ms. Azcuenaga likely will be his successor.
'Mike respects her,' Rubin said. 'She worked for the FTC while Mike was chairman. She is probably the best person one can expect from Reagan. Heck, he isn't going to nominate (consumer advocate) Ralph Nader.'
Pertschuk was named FTC chairman by Jimmy Carter at the recommendation of Nader, who has accused the Reagan administration of turning back the clock on consumer protection.
Ms. Azcuenaga declined comment Tuesday on speculation she would be nominated as an FTC commissioner.
An agency spokeswoman said, 'We've been hearing the rumors, but nothing official yet.'
